On this episode of "After Hours, in partnership with Tanqueray Africa," we speak with Ingashian Gibendi, product strategist and founder of the Career Whisperer, who shares her powerful journey of redefining career success beyond LinkedIn profiles and industry accolades.After losing her father in 2022 while working at what she thought was her "dream company," Ingashian experienced a pivotal moment that changed everything. Unable to work through her grief despite having unlimited leave on paper, she realized she needed "a career that allows you to live life when life happens" - a profound shift from chasing titles and status to designing a life-centered career.Having pivoted five times across multiple countries, Ingashian reveals the hidden costs of tech's hustle culture and offers practical frameworks for sustainable career navigation. She emphasizes that career success isn't about the company you join, but about choosing founders and managers carefully - particularly those who've successfully exited before and have families, as they better understand work-life integration.Her most controversial yet insightful advice? Stop creating "glass ceilings" through unfounded assumptions. Whether it's believing you need a master's degree for promotion or that networking is just nepotism, Ingashian challenges listeners to distinguish between facts and speculation that limit their growth.The episode dives deep into networking as a learnable skill, the five key areas for becoming hireable (activity, strategy, mindset, conversion, and visibility), and why 80% of jobs never make it to job boards. Ingashian's mission is clear: help Africans solve real problems with technology while building careers that truly serve their lives, not the other way around.To keep up with Ingashian's journey, check out her LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingashian-gibendi/Check out the Career Whisperer:https://thecareerwhisperer.net/Quiz:https://thecareerwhisperer.scoreapp.com/00:00 Intro01:00 Meet Ingashian Gibendi04:24 Tech Hustle Costs06:20 Titles as Currency07:45 Startup Reality Check09:00 Choosing founders & Managers16:43 LinkedIn Truth20:54 Career Navigation Skills25:12 Master's Degree Myth27:22 Networking vs Nepotism33:00 5 Areas of Hireability38:20 Data Solves Problems __________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

Season 4 is almost here!🚨Alice Kanjejo reflects on the transformative journey and growth of My Tech Story Africa, from a simple podcast idea to a full-fledged tech media and marketing studio.What started with Alice wondering if anyone would tune in has blossomed into a community of over 4,000 subscribers who believe in amplifying Africa's greatest digital innovators.This year marked a pivotal moment as she took the bold leap from her day job to pursue My Tech Story Africa full-time, registering the business and embracing new risks with unwavering determination.The past season delivered powerful content that showcased the depth and diversity of African tech talent. The standout "After Hours" series, produced in partnership with Tanqueray Africa, brought us 10 compelling episodes exploring the work-life balance and ambitions of Africa's most influential voices.From unpacking startup failures that led to breakthroughs to conversations about healthcare innovation, design thinking, presidential offices, and entrepreneurs who left prestigious positions at companies like Rolls-Royce to build their own data ventures.The success story continues with the tech roundtable hosted by Dominic and Evans, which evolved into "Admin Access" - the second in-house media product where two passionate tech enthusiasts dive deep into data, plugins, macroeconomics, and fintech discussions.My Tech Story Africa has expanded beyond storytelling into strategic partnerships, working with fintech clients and launching "Peer Pressure," their third show.With over 65 interviews conducted across multiple African markets including Kigali, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.The mission remains clear: share impactful, everyday stories of tech industry trailblazers while contributing to the growth of Africa's tech ecosystem. __________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of My Tech Story Africa, we sit down with James Ahere, co-founder and business development lead at Weza Interactive Entertainment, to explore the emerging African video game industry.James shares his journey of starting a gaming studio at just 23 years old alongside his brother. With his background in law and business, and his brother's software engineering expertise, they set out to create games that showcase African culture, history, and identity to the world.Their first game, "Mzito," launched in 2017 after the team was selected for the prestigious French Tech ticket incubator program. James reveals how the game takes players on a journey across Africa's beautiful destinations while addressing themes of leadership, awakening potential, and conquering corruption.The conversation offers fascinating insights into the challenges of pioneering in an industry still in its infancy in Africa. James candidly discusses team dynamics, funding challenges, and the steep learning curve they faced as young entrepreneurs. Despite these obstacles, Weza Interactive has expanded its vision to create the "Mzito Universe," with their second game, "Riziki," focusing on uniting Africa through music.James highlights the growth of Kenya's gaming ecosystem, mentioning several successful local studios and developers who are making their mark globally. He also explores how gaming technology can benefit African businesses through gamification, experiential marketing, and educational applications.Throughout the discussion, James emphasizes their mission to tell authentic African stories through interactive entertainment. "The world wants to see what Africa has," he explains, pointing to the success of Afrobeats music and films like Black Panther as evidence of global appetite for African creativity.__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of "After Hours, in partnership with Tanqueray Africa," we speak with Michelle Watiki, Co-founder and COO at Duck ( Techstars). Michelle shares her remarkable journey from a chemical engineering career in the UK to becoming a tech entrepreneur in Kenya.Michelle's story begins with her strategic approach to education, pursuing chemical engineering based on salary prospects. Despite facing setbacks in her A-levels, she persevered through her undergraduate degree at Aston University and later redeemed herself with a fully-funded master's program. Her career path led her to Rolls-Royce, where she secured internships through networking and eventually became a graduate trainee.Despite professional success at Rolls-Royce, Michelle describes feeling an "itch" - a persistent desire to build something of her own while facing the reality of a glass ceiling as a Black woman in engineering. This itch wasn't new; she had entrepreneurial tendencies since age 16 when she would buy waist beads in Kenya to sell in the UK, later venturing into makeup sales.The pivotal moment came when she met her co-founder, Alex Mativo, who inspired her with the simple yet profound advice: "The only way to know how to start a business is to start a business." Michelle took the leap, leaving her stable corporate job and moving to Kenya to build Duck Analytics, a data company bridging the information gap between FMCG brands and retailers.Michelle offers powerful insights about entrepreneurship: fundraising buys you time to fail and learn; the journey is mentally challenging, not because of the tasks themselves but because of the self-discipline required; and entrepreneurial success requires comfort with discomfort and the ability to persevere through uncertainty.Her most powerful advice? "Bet on yourself" and "follow your itch." She emphasizes patience in the entrepreneurial journey, comparing it to fitness goals that take consistent effort over time to achieve results.Duck Analytics is now working with major enterprise brands and supermarkets, helping FMCG companies understand their in-store performance through data, addressing inventory management, customer insights, and optimization opportunities that were previously invisible to brands once products left their warehouses.Michelle's story exemplifies how recognizing limitations in one environment can fuel the courage to create opportunity elsewhere, turning challenges into innovation with the right mindset, vision, and willingness to take calculated risks.To keep up with Michelle's journey, check out his LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-watiki-Check out Duck :https://www.getduck.co/__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of My Tech Story Africa, we sit down with Brian Abel, Head of Growth at Welcome Tomorrow, to explore his journey in the tech marketing landscape across Africa.Brian shares his unexpected path from aspiring accountant to becoming a leader in growth marketing, highlighting how his experience with global brands like Twitter, Snapchat, Spotify, and TikTok at Aleph (formerly Adynamo) shaped his approach to bringing world-class marketing strategies to African businesses.Brian emphasizes two core principles that fueled his rapid career advancement: an unwavering work ethic and a perpetual beginner's mindset. "The ultimate seduction in life should be your work," he shares, explaining how this philosophy helped him rise to leadership positions by his mid-twenties. His willingness to pivot, learn, and unlearn has been instrumental in navigating the evolving digital marketing landscape.At Welcome Tomorrow, Brian and his team focus on three key pillars: data and measurement, performance marketing, and content strategy. They specialize in localizing advanced growth marketing techniques for ambitious African brands, helping them build robust measurement frameworks and leverage first-party data while ensuring the solutions match each client's digital maturity. Their unique approach combines creative strategy with data science, moving beyond traditional "madman era" advertising to deliver measurable results.Looking toward the future of marketing in Africa, Brian highlights the continent's growing digital adoption and the rapid shift from traditional to digital advertising.He sees tremendous opportunities for tech marketers who can bridge marketing knowledge with technical expertise, particularly in building and implementing appropriate tech stacks for businesses at various stages of growth.His advice to aspiring tech marketers? "Invest in yourself so that when you decide to get into the market, you're buyable." Brian encourages continuous learning through certifications and training to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field where understanding when and how to implement new technologies is just as important as knowing how to use them.To keep up with Brian's journey, check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-abelCheck out Welcome Tomorrow:https://welcometomorrow.io/__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of "After Hours, in partnership with Tanqueray Africa," we speak with John Wachira Wahome, a software engineer turned real estate entrepreneur.With 15 years of experience in the software industry, John shares his journey from working across various sectors including banking, healthcare, and business operations, to Finsco Africa, a real estate firm specializing in plot sales, housing, and custom design-build solutions.John emphasizes the importance of starting entrepreneurship early, highlighting the crucial lessons he learned. He candidly discusses working for free to gain experience, facing rejection when marketing his first school management software, and the challenges of trying to do everything himself instead of building a team early on.A pivotal insight from John's journey is recognizing that "you cannot be a thinker and a doer at the same time." He advises entrepreneurs to identify their strengths and find complementary partners, noting that most successful business leaders have someone who balances their skills—either a thinker paired with a doer, or vice versa.John's venture into real estate began in 2015 with a concept called "Property Center," which eventually evolved into Finsco Africa by 2021. Recognizing that the housing problem is universal and enduring, he saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between financing and construction through technology. This led to the creation of Home Direct, a construction subsidiary of Finsco Africa.His latest innovation is an AI-powered app that helps users estimate construction costs for their dream homes based on descriptions or uploaded images. It also provides access to mortgage options. His vision addresses Africa's housing crisis by connecting financing and construction through technology, making homeownership more accessible.Throughout the episode, John's resilience, adaptability, and commitment to solving real problems shine through as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of My Tech Story Africa, Alice Kanjejo sits down with Hannes Bend, founder of Breathing AI and Vital Sign AI.Hannes shares his remarkable journey from artist to AI entrepreneur, highlighting how personal struggles shaped his vision for more human-centered technology.Born with mild cerebral palsy and having nearly died at birth, Hannes experienced intense physical pain in his early years, which later led to depression. This disconnection from his body eventually guided him toward mindfulness practices that transformed his life.His deep appreciation for breathwork became so profound that he claims he wouldn't trade this awareness "for a trillion dollars" because of the joy, health benefits, and stress management it provides.Hannes' path to technology wasn't direct.He first gained recognition as an artist featured in Vogue and New York exhibitions, but internally felt unfulfilled. His curiosity led him to research how the brain responds to visual stimuli and meditation, eventually incorporating these insights into technology through VR, AR, and ultimately AI.His companies now focus on creating "bio-adaptive interfaces" - technology that personalizes user experiences based on vital signs, emotions, and posture. Breathing AI offers browser extensions with features like color filters to reduce eye strain and reminders to drink water or take deep breaths. Vital Sign AI detects emotions and physical metrics using just a webcam and machine learning algorithms.What makes Hannes's approach unique is his emphasis on individual differences. He explains how the same colors or fonts can trigger completely different physiological responses in different people, demonstrating why AI-powered personalization matters.Throughout the conversation, Hannes emphasizes two values he considers invaluable: curiosity and care. He believes these qualities can open doors in any field, encouraging listeners from all backgrounds to explore AI without hesitation, as everyone brings unique insights.To keep up with Hannes's journey, check out his linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannesbend/Check out his start-ups at:https://breathing.ai/https://www.vitalsign.ai/__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of "After Hours, in partnership with Tanqueray Africa," we speak with Maureen Onyango, CEO and co-founder of Madata Limited, who brings her wealth of experience.Maureen shares her 16-year career at Kenya Airways, where she rose through the ranks, managing operations across different African markets, including Kenya, Cameroon, and Senegal. Her extensive Pan-African experience gave her valuable insights into different consumer behaviors and market strategies across the continent.The conversation delves into her pivot from corporate life to entrepreneurship, with Maureen explaining how curiosity about what her business-class customers were doing sparked her own entrepreneurial journey. She now runs two ventures: More Solutions Ltd, which works with FMCG companies and NGOs in the supply chain space, and Madata Limited, a tech company she co-founded after participating in the Antler accelerator program.Madata addresses a critical pain point for organizations: measuring and optimizing marketing spend. The platform provides a unified dashboard that combines both digital and traditional marketing metrics, using data analytics to help businesses make informed decisions about their marketing investments.Maureen also offers candid insights about being a woman in male-dominated spaces, emphasizing the importance of showing up with confidence rather than focusing on gender barriers. "I don't lead with it, I don't talk about it," she says, "It's how you choose to identify with it and move with it. And then people see your value, people respect you."Her parting advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? "Just start. The cost of waiting is higher than the cost of starting." She also highlights the incredible value of relationships built throughout one's career journey, crediting her network for opening doors and making her success possible.To keep up with Maureen's journey, check out her LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-onyangoCheck out Madata Limited:https://www.linkedin.com/company/madata-limited/__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of My Tech Story Africa, we sit down with Maxine Kinyua, founder of Tui Beauty, an AI-powered beauty tech platform offering skin diagnostics and product recommendations. Maxine shares her entrepreneurial journey from a campus-based skincare business to a full-fledged beauty tech startup.Maxine's story begins with her early interest in both tech and business during high school. Although she studied PR and communications in university, her entrepreneurial spirit emerged when she experienced skin issues and discovered counterfeit skincare products in the market. This frustration inspired her to source authentic products, starting an Instagram page that eventually evolved into a successful business called MK Store.The conversation delves into the challenges of transitioning from a traditional retail business to a tech-focused company. Maxine candidly discusses her first-time founder mistakes, including not having proper insurance for imported goods and lacking structured systems and processes. After experiencing a significant setback with a lost shipment, Maxine made the bold decision to pivot entirely to tech.A key insight Maxine shares is that "business mistakes are not business problems; they are founder problems." She explains how a founder's weaknesses and strengths directly impact their business, emphasizing the importance of self-improvement alongside business development.The development of Tui Beauty wasn't without struggles. Maxine reveals the "dark days" of bootstrapping, facing doubts about her vision, and twice delaying product launches until they were truly ready. She highlights how involving customers in product testing and validation was crucial to their eventual success.As the conversation concludes, Maxine offers valuable perspectives on bootstrapping versus seeking investment. She advocates for thoroughly validating ideas before approaching investors and shares her guiding philosophy: "Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor."The episode provides an authentic look at entrepreneurship in Africa's tech ecosystem, highlighting both the challenges and the supportive community that exists for founders. Maxine's journey exemplifies resilience, adaptation, and the transformative potential of tech innovation in traditional industries.To keep up with Maxine's journey, check out her LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-kinyuaCheck out https://tuibeauty.com__________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa♪ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mytechstoryafricaJoin our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧

On this episode of "After Hours, in partnership with Tanqueray Africa," we speak with Dr. Nick Were, an orthopedic resident at the University of Nairobi and health tech entrepreneur at Padel Kenya on Peponi Road. Between rounds of padel, Dr. Were shares his journey from aspiring engineer to medical doctor, inspired by his father's career in medicine.He discusses his innovative work with Prothea Kenya, where he leverages 3D printing technology to create affordable prosthetics for amputees. Traditional prosthetics in Kenya can cost up to a million Kenyan shillings and aren't typically covered by national insurance. Through 3D printing, Dr. Were's team has drastically reduced costs while improving comfort and weight. In just two years, they've served nearly 500 patients, including donating 300 free prosthetics last year.The process is remarkably efficient: after scanning an amputee's stump with specialized iPhone software, they create a 3D model that's printed in just eight hours. Dr. Were has even had patients fly in from Burundi who receive their fitted prosthetic the very next day.Beyond manufacturing prosthetics, Dr. Were is dedicated to empowering amputees through innovative initiatives like Kenya’s first "Mr. and Ms. Amputee Kenya" fashion show (boosting confidence and awareness) and a pilot program pairing prosthetics with electric bikes for economic independence. His tech-driven vision extends to broader healthcare solutions, including 3D-printed medical training mannequins, VR for psychiatric therapy, and smart glasses enabling remote surgical guidance in rural areas.The episode concludes with Dr. Were demonstrating VR fitness equipment and smart glasses that enable remote surgical guidance. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes his passion for using technology to overcome healthcare challenges in low and middle-income countries, encouraging listeners to identify problems and create meaningful solutions.To keep up with Nick's journey, check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnickomollowere/Learn more about his tech start up (Prothea Kenya)https://www.prothea.co.ke/_________________________________________________________________Join Alice as she explores the world of tech and shares impactful stories with guests on My Tech Story Africa!Subscribe to our podcast, drop a like, comment, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content.Don't forget to spread the word! Sharing is caring! 🌟Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: / mytechstoryafrica 💼 LinkedIn: / my-tech-story-africa ♪ TikTok: / mytechstoryafrica Join our community: [https://www.mtsafrica.co/join]Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Apply here: https://forms.gle/ffAniezzFHoEvhPY7Interested in partnering with us? Drop us an email: [email protected] 📧