Written by Patricia
The journey of ‘Candid Business’, started from a conversation with very successful business women while on a visit to the United States. An organization of which I am a member, had given me the opportunity to attend a series of workshops. The open candid discussion on women in business by female entrepreneurs was inspirational.
Back in Kenya I couldn’t wait to replicate some of these discussions. I have always enjoyed candid conversations, and find that everyone has a story, and that there are lessons to learn in every personal interaction.
I am certainly an ‘accidental entrepreneur’ having started my business Willart Productions Ltd, purely out of the need to keep busy after quitting full time employment. Through this journey I discovered freedom in my various roles in life, including being a wife, mother and daughter. I matured, gained confidence and embraced the roles of leadership that being a business owner presents.
As I talked to the women featured in this book, I saw them laugh, cry, exclaim, and sometimes remain silent as they quietly, reflected on their own journey. For all of them, business IS personal, its part and parcel of who they are. Some I met for the first time, but after the interview we felt we had known each other their entire life. I hope that A Candid Handbook for Women doing Business in Kenya, will begin such discussions amongst entrepreneurs and that real authentic stories will spark exciting meaningful conversations.
“If you want to live a comfortable life, your real work is to figure out where your power base is and to work on that alignment of your personality, the gifts you have to give, with the real reason why you are here, Align your personality, with your purpose, and no one can touch you”