Starting out her career as a PR and Marketing guru, Beatrice has gone on to launch as string of successful media businesses. Her passion is to empower people, especially the youth, and she is determined to be the best she can be in a that she does. In our interview with her, Beatrice tells us about the things that fuel her passion and the values that she holds dear.
Can you briefly describe yourself and your business?
I describe Beatrice Ndung’u as a brand in Africa, a motivational speaker and a Public Relations and marketing guru. I am a Jill of all trades. I co-own a PR agency in Tanzania known as Wolfpack , which has different entities. Wolfpack owns, Vitamin Music Group that manages big artists in Tanzania such as the famous and talented Belle9 and a famous and creative actor known as Gabo Zigamba. Other than that, Wolfpack also owns a well known magazine called Baabkubwa Magazine. In Kenya, I own a foundation called Young Media Foundation and an online radio called Y radio. We are just about to launch a radio station in East Africa as well, Sema Radio. Some of my awards include Pan-African Humanitarian award on youth empowerment and community development.
Why did you choose to become an entrepreneur?
The fact that I want to make people, especially the youth, see that it does not matter how old or young you are but if you have the determination to work and excel in what you do, then you can be the best that you can be.
Tell us more about your online radio. What inspired it?
I always wanted to own a media house with an ad agency and a radio station because I am more skilled in both. I decided to start small by venturing into the online path. The number of Africans who were tuning in was enormous, therefore I have decided to re-launch it to be bigger and better, because when you start something you have to see if the response is good to know if you can move on or not. I loved the response and now we are on the verge of re-launching Sema Radio to be bigger and better due to public demand. I am also looking forward to widen the Sema Radio reach frequency to most parts of Africa with different investors in order to give everyone an opportunity to get jobs, training in media as well as giving people a chance to listen to the vibrant sounds of Sema Radio.
What are the values that drive you?
Ambition, passion, creativity, patience and making a difference.
As the Founder of Young Media Foundation, can you tell us more about the aim of the foundation?
Young Media Foundation aims to play an effective role in the development of communications as a major instrument for continental building and a vital element in the socio-economic development process. Its projects include Art Therapy for sick children, Bricks for School, which aims to create sustainable models in rural areas to alleviate poverty and create employment by building schools out of bricks. Y radio is also an initiative of the Young Media Foundation and is a tool for youth empowerment. And most importantly, we give young people a chance to meet their role models and mentors.
What will you say is responsible for your success so far?
My success comes from the ability to take risks, being patient, and above all putting God first.
What are the challenges you have faced since you started your business?
The more you succeed, the more competitors notice and react to what you are doing. Therefore you always have to keep up with the market. Also cash is king. When there is no money then it can be hard to do things or there can be delays here and there in the establishment of things
What keeps you going when the odds are against you?
What keeps me going is the fact that there are many people looking up to me and they see me as their role model. I want people to say someday that, “It’s because of Beatrice that I did not give up.”
What is your five-year plan for your business?
My plan is not for or in the next five years, my plan is what will I do next? What will I do after my next win/ what will I do to be better to my clients? So I can say that my plan is not limited to the next five years, but my plan is what I can do to improve my business everyday.
What do upcoming female entrepreneurs need to do to be successful in this path?
Ladies are often scared about chasing their dreams. This is because for a long time men have been handling the big jobs and starting companies. But the fact is 9.1 million businesses in the US are owned by women. You playing small does not serve the world, there is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine just as children do; it’s not just some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let out our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people a chance to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Shine bright like a diamond and be the best you can be!
