Mercy Mutua — transcript

Hadassah Creations International

This transcript is generated automatically by YouTube and has not been checked by a person. It misspells names and mishears words, particularly around Kenyan English and company names, so read it as a guide to the conversation rather than a quotable record. Each timestamp opens the video at that moment.

0:05 Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to episode 70 of the African Loop podcast. Today, we are privileged to have with us Mercy Mutua from Machakos County, and uh Mercy runs a company called Hadassah Creations Limited, and we'll discuss more about that in today's podcast. Welcome, Mercy, to the African Loop podcast.
Thank you so much. Thank you for having me.
Excellent. Mercy, we'd like to um go back to the beginning. Who are you? Uh where were you born? Where were you raised? How did you grow up?
Uh-huh.
And then we will segue into the the business of Hadassah Creations Limited. So, who is Mercy Mutua?
Mercy Mutua is a a mom, first of all, and uh I'm a wife, and I'm a business lady. I have [clears throat] run a business in the wedding industry for the last 14 years, and that's Hadassah Creations International.

1:00
Okay.
Um born and raised in Machakos.
Yeah.
Uh my I'm a lastborn, and [clears throat] very much loved. I come from a very very loving family.
Yes.
Uh small family, but very loving family, and um so that's about me.
So, let's speak a bit about before even we get into uh what what you moved in. Let's talk about you're our first guest who grew up in Machakos County.
Uh I don't think we have had one,
[clears throat]
but you're the first one who grew born and raised in Machakos. So, let's talk about born and raised in Machakos because uh when you did finally come to your business, you set up Machakos as your base. So, it would be interesting to get the nuance of where that start How did you Where did you go to school? You know, um our audience is yes, countrywide and some and some Africans in the diaspora, but it would be good to understand uh

2:00 when was this uh and how was life growing up in Machakos?
Uh okay. So, um I I went to Machakos Primary School.
Mhm.
And from Machakos Primary School, I went to two other schools in high school, still in Ukambani. It's not Machakos Machakos, but still in Ukambani.
Okay, in the greater [clears throat] Ukambani area.
Yeah, Makueni County, but still in Ukambani.
Yes.
So, that's that's my base.
Yes.
You know, I had all the ropes around Machakos because that has been me all my life by that time.
the back of your hand.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Uh-huh.
[clears throat]
And then um after I finished um high school,
Mhm.
I took a training in um it's called in discipleship. It's called uh discipleship training school.

2:50
Okay.
And it's under Youth With a Mission. They are also based in Machakos at Athi River.
Okay.
So, once I was done with that, now I came to Nairobi.
And in Nairobi, where did you join? What Where did you go to university?
to JKUAT, Karen. [clears throat] I was there for 2 3 years.
Studying? What were you studying?
Procurement.
Oh, wow. Interesting. Uh-huh.
So, I ended up in procurement because, you know, I was done with school and parents are saying you need to go now to campus.
Mhm.
And my siblings had been to JKUAT as well and they were still in JKUAT.
Yeah.
Uh but the one in Juja.
Mhm.
So, Juja did not have an intake at that time.
Okay.
So, I'm told to go to any other JKUAT facility. So, I go to Karen and there is procurement. There were three There were three courses.

3:39
Yeah.
So, there was procurement, there was BBIT, and there was something else. I can't remember the third. I do not like IT.
Yes.
So, I said, "Let me take this thing, procurement. It has something with business in it. I don't know what it
It had nothing to do with it. It was It was It was just
It was you need to go to school.
Okay. So, go do something.
want to do.
Go do something.
Go do something.
Okay.
Pretty much.
So, you do your 3 years in in in Jkuat Karen and you graduate with a with a procurement degree.
Yeah.
Where does that take you next?
Um I go I take I go for internship.
Mhm.
And it was for 3 months. I think it for most of us here, that's what we've always done. 3 months internship.

4:21
Mhm.
And it was sitting in the office and preparing LPOs and I don't know what.
Yes.
I did it very well. We were like three interns and everyone was just saying she does it so well.
Mhm. Mhm.
Everyone loved to be served by me.
Yes.
But I did not like it. When I was done, I knew I was not going to this thing.
Okay.
I don't like I didn't like being in the office. I felt confined.
Yes.
I love working working with my hands, so there was not much of that creating things. So, there was not much of that.
Okay.
So, I knew for a fact that once I'm done with this thing,
Mhm.
I'm not going into This is not me.
Then you were done. What happens?
I go home.

5:04
Uh-huh.
And again, when you graduate, you're supposed to get a job.
Yes.
So, I I I I knew also I did not want to I couldn't bring myself to apply
Yes.
for a job.
Mhm.
So, I figured um I am not going into employment.
Okay.
That's what made me know I am not going to employ employment.
But I wanted to look at what do I have? I was like, what do I have that I can use to make money? Because the point of going to work or a job getting a job
Mhm.
is to make money. So, if I make money, then the pressure will go down of, you know, [clears throat] you need to get a job.
Mhm.
So, the only thing I didn't need I knew how to do at that time was bake cakes.
Okay. And I had learned from my mom.

5:49
Yes.
So, I used that now to make money. So, I decided also to take a training in wedding planning so that I could understand uh couples and what they're looking for in cakes.
Okay. So, your aim when you you you've learned this craft of baking from your mom, you but you decide your focus in baking is going to be wedding.
weddings because I could see money. You see when you do a birthday cake, it's just one. But if I get a wedding, it's seven cakes. It's eight cakes. So, the profit is So, I knew I did not want to do, you know, the parties because I was like the money is here and that's what I want.
Okay.
So, that's that's why weddings. And also by the time I was learning from my mom, she was also doing wedding cakes.

6:38
Yes. So, it was just Okay.
Yeah, quite a good business.
So, did you work with her or did you start your own?
I started my own.
Okay.
But I had a I had a a foundation somewhere because now she would get So, my mom is a retired nurse. She still had her
Mhm.
You know, so she she was like, you know, if you can do it, that's fine. That's something of her
Oh, really?
Yeah. So, she said, "Okay, fine. If you can do it, that's fine." And then when I started, I brought in I started to learn from YouTube. You know, and I started to improve what she had taught me.
Yes.
And my teaching was not at This is how you do. No, it was by theme, you know? And you know, you'd be there. She's telling you, "Koroga this." And yeah. So, that's how I learned. But I had a skill. And that's what I used.

7:29
And how do How was that journey now of running a cake business a wedding cake business?
Um it was quite tough. It was fulfilling in some way, but it was also tough.
What what made it tough?
I didn't have a know-how of how to run a business.
Okay.
Because and I came to realize this later. Just because you have you are you have a skill you are good at something, you have a talent, it doesn't mean that you are a good business person. There is talent and there is business. You know, you have to have yes, the skill you know, this practical skill, whatever you're doing, and then you have to have the business skills. So, I didn't have that and I did not know I did not have that.
Yes.

8:19
So, it was tough for me because I was trying to get it from anywhere. You know, I would go to um people who run just any kind of business, get to know, "How did you start? How do you maneuver this? I am going through this. I don't know how to hire. I don't know how to market. What do I do?" It's just also learning, looking at other people what they're doing.
Okay.
So, that was the toughest thing for me.
Yes.
Running a business by my own. I didn't have a community.
Mhm.
It was tough cuz I made all the mistakes.
And how long did you last in this toughness?
Um I think I would say like 5 years to 5 years.
Okay, that's quite a long stay.
It is.
Yeah.
And I learned it so down the line I got married.

9:04
Yes.
And then my husband now is seeing what I'm doing firsthand. And I was still working from the house.
Mhm.
By the way, I started from the the house. Remember I was living with my mom, so it started from her house.
Yes.
So, now I'm married and I'm I took this thing I was doing to my house.
Yes.
And he notices one time and he tells me "You did so many weddings, I mean cakes, but the profit is not that much." And I had never looked at things that way. Mhm. I was not doing my costing.
Mhm.
I did not know why I charge why I charge what I charge.
Mhm.
I was charging because I'm seeing other people charging this. Remember, I'm just learning from looking at what other people are doing.

9:48
Yeah.
And my cakes were so quality.
Mhm.
But I was charging peanuts.
Yeah.
So, he's the one who gave me that realization that, "Hey, this
is not is not working."
No.
Mhm. [clears throat]
You need to do better.
And what does it lead to?
It leads me to now do the math.
Mhm.
And I realize there's nothing I'm bringing home. It's really too little.
Yeah.
So, I decide I am now going to charge what I should be charging. And I said, "I don't care if I lose everyone, but I know I'll get someone. But I want to start sort of a fresh, that these are now my costs." And I And I And I decide that every single year I would charge a little higher than what
So, that was the turnaround.

10:41
So, you started with a costing model. You went and then you reworked your pricing.
Yeah, and I did it myself. I didn't even go to school. I just decided, "Okay, I just need to know how much am I spending, what are my expenses, and everything." I put down everything.
Yes.
And then I put a markup. I said, "This is what what I want to
Okay. Okay.
a profit."
Okay. Okay.
And so, now if I was doing eight cakes for 30,000 shillings, now I'm doing four cakes for 30,000 shillings. So, the workload also
Yes, dropped.
dropped.
Okay.
Now, I could also get help.
Mhm.
You know, cuz I was doing everything by myself.
Mhm.
So, I could get help now because I'm getting a little bit more money. I could pay someone else to help me.

11:22
Did you see an improvement in your returns?
Oh, yes.
Okay.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
So, now I could even upgrade to, you know, upgrade my my my machines.
Yes.
Get better mixers.
Mhm.
Get bigger ovens.
Mhm.
Moved to now a kitchen. Now I had like a workshop.
Okay.
Yeah, a studio where we we have the
separate place or within your compound?
Within my compound.
Okay.
Yeah, but now out of the house. Because now when I started having, you know, I I was like I need help, but now I can't bring the help to my space. We are very like I I really love this space. Yeah.
Yes.
So and now by that time I'm also having children. So I don't want just anyone in my house. So now I had to get a place.

12:04
Okay.
And this is what costing
Did for you. Okay. And how long did you continue on that cake making journey after this this this realization and this discovery that you are costing wrong and then you fixed it and now you started to unlock more value from your business. Yeah.
I think it went on for um I think 3 years.
Mhm.
Actually, what I would say, I can't remember how many years, but this is this was This is what I'd say. Like during COVID now COVID happens.
Yes.
I'm doing very well. The cake business is doing very well, but COVID happens.
Yes.
And there are no weddings.
There are no weddings. There's no movement.
And the weddings that are there are for 30 people, 15 people. So we come from making tons of kg's for wedding cakes. Now we are doing

12:57
2 kg.
2 kg.
Mhm.
3 kg. So I was like, hey, hey, I need to look for something else to do. So that when I bring the cake, I can also bring the cake and something else.
Yes.
And from something else.
Yeah.
So I looked around. I was like uh decor.
Okay.
It's it's I love design.
Mhm.
So I was like this one I can do. And this is a good time because it it was a good time because the weddings are smaller. So I'm not needed to do much. So that's where I started now my journey.
So, as a result of the pandemic, it's so interesting. We we get such interesting pivots and and business changes directions as a result of the pandemic. So, what it did for you is in order to pay the bills, you started taking on now other aspects of the wedding of of the wedding event, so to speak. So, what did that show you?

13:55
Um one, um I loved the fact that I I'm very innovative and I loved that I was able to see that there's also an opportunity in decor [clears throat] in Machakos.
Okay.
Because yes, there was decor, but there was not the kind of decor I do.
Okay.
It's unique. I love unique stuff, so I brought in that. It's excellent. I am very excellent in everything I do and it it was, you know, good. So, I bring in that and then by the time, remember by the time I'm bringing this decor, I've already learned about costing. Now, I know. So, I knew the kind of client I wanted.
Yes.
I knew what I wanted to charge.
Let's speak a bit about that client.
Yes.
Who is that client?
So, that client is first of all, a professional because then they will understand the need of professional. And that client wants something good. Wants something unique. That's the client I'm looking for.

15:00
Yes.
Yeah, and is can pay
Yes.
also.
Okay.
Yeah.
So, interesting and and and when I met you, I remember one of the things that um was a pleasant surprise for me and it's maybe not so much a surprise, but more a confirmation, yeah, is there's an evolution that is going on in Kenya.
Mhm.
And I I I figure it started around 2010 with the promulgation of the new constitution, you know?
And since then what what has happened in the country that many maybe who live in that what I call the traditional urban centers, you know, I I'm much older than you.
[laughter]
And so when we were growing up, there were three major cities. It was Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. And that was it. And the other towns were they existed, but you could tell even when you went into them that they were much smaller in existence than they were. But what what what I like about what I'm hearing about your story, and maybe we can speak about that a bit more, is the fact that you are a Machakos-based business.

16:17
Yeah.
Yeah. And you're executing to what extremely high standard. A standard that probably the market expects or thinks is solely available in large urban centers like Nairobi, Mombasa, and
But you have entirely a Machakos client base, yeah? So let's speak about that, yeah? Building a business away from where I would say the loudest voices in the country are heard, yeah? And carving out that niche for yourself. How does that journey look like for you?
Yeah.
Yeah.
So first off, so I know what I'm offering is for the professionals. When I was starting off in business, remember I had already done wedding planning. And I came here, and that is what I wanted to do, by the way. I wanted also the wedding planning bit, but

17:16
people didn't know what wedding is around me.
Yes.
Nobody wanted to pay because we have committees.
Yes.
That do that job.
Okay.
You know? And
So who are you? What are you coming to do? Yes.
You know?
Yeah.
But slowly
Mhm.
as as as the years are going by, people are now coming in. And also, remember what we are focusing on is weddings and traditional weddings.
Mhm.
And you are even in the US, but you want to have your traditional wedding where? Home.
Yes.
And your home is where?
Yes.
Is Ukambani somewhere.
Okay. Okay.
So who do you look for when you when you're looking, who do you get?
Yes.
It's us.
Mhm.
So that's that now became my target.

18:00
Mhm.
So not many people from there
Yes.
It doesn't mean that they live there at at this time.
Yes. But that's where they consider home.
Us. We
So you're saying Kenyans who are coming for Let me give you a scenario and and then you tell me if it applies in your instance, yeah? So Kenyans may be in the diaspora.
Yeah.
You know, they are from the Ukambani counties, the three Ukambani counties. And they are coming uh to get married.
Yeah.
For example, and they they're coming and they want their traditional wedding to be held at their home in Machakos. And of course, because of their exposure, yeah, they have attained a certain standard.
Mhm.
So they would Those Those became your target.

18:51
Yeah.
Uh-huh.
And you see also the Where do they go first? On the internet just to look
Okay.
Who?
Yes.
And when they're searching, they're searching Machakos more than they're searching somewhere in Ukambani.
Mhm.
And honestly, if you go there, it's you know, it's us.
Okay. So they they they search and they find what? Let's assume I'm one of those people.
Mhm.
So I'm maybe in the States and I'm thinking of having a December wedding traditional wedding in Machakos. So, when I search I'm in Texas and I say Machakos, what am I searching? Machakos wedding planner, Machakos wedding and what?
Machakos decor
Machakos, okay, excellent. What comes up?
Our social media.

19:33
Uh-huh.
Yeah, we have a good social media presence and so you go there and you see all these nice things and you're like
Wow, uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Yeah.
Yeah. So, this pivot which happened 2020 in the pandemic, when does it now graduate or when does it now graduate into this fully fledged um outfit, yeah, Hadassah Creations International, yeah?
Yes.
That is executing, I mean, when when the function that I attended that you did, you know, the the amount of first of it's it's it's a production. It's a complete production, you know, complete with some elements of of the IC construction, you know, because you're putting up backdrops, you're raising issues. So, maybe speak to us, when does this now Hadassah Creations International that we know today and that executes these functions uh

20:35 all around Ukambani, when does this now come to be what it is today?
3 years ago.
3 years ago.
3 years ago. That's when I start you know, I start actually I started with um looking at my feedbacks.
Mhm.
You know, I started being very intentional.
Mhm.
And my clients [clears throat] know, it doesn't matter how many times or when you started taking our cakes, I will ask you to give me feedback on how this but it doesn't matter.
Mhm.
So, I started being very intentional with feedbacks.
Yeah.
I want to know what are people saying, what can we improve on 3 years ago.
Okay. then I started to see a pattern. Excellent. It was more than I ever imagined. It was more than I expected. My guests were so wild, you know, and I'm getting all this good feedback. Then I decided to shape it into So remember I have my background in wedding planning. So I say, "Okay, then what I can do is and now I'm doing cakes, I'm doing decor, and I have planning and coordination. What I will do is offer an

21:35 all-inclusive wedding experience." Okay. So that's what now I focus on. An all-inclusive wedding experience. So you come to me, we offer everything under one roof. I get to design it. So I'm making sure the gown, the decor, the cake, everything is into cohesion.
Yes.
You know, and that's what has been our advantage. Our unique advantage. Yeah, because you can have a wedding or you can have an event, but everything is all over the place. You know, but I had Yeah, I had figured and I had figured the thing is in design. I just need to make sure everything is aligning with a vision, you know, with a theme, with a style. You know, and it would make us stand out. And that was from my background in wedding planning. That's where I learned some of these things.

22:29
Interesting.
Yeah.
Let's get a bit into the numbers, and speak about uh We have 52 weekends in a year, you know, 52 weeks in a year. How is probably I would say as a city dweller, myself being a city dweller, I would assume that it's not every weekend that there's a wedding in in in Machakos. But of course, you're here to enlighten us and and and tell us different and maybe correct
Yeah.
whatever misconceptions we may have.
Yeah.
So, how does that number side of the business look like? Cuz I would assume that yours is a weekend activity.
Mhm.
So, even to record this podcast, when I gave you a Friday date, you told me that Friday is not really an option because you're usually planning for for the events on Saturdays and and Sundays. So, is there sufficient demand within your ecosystem or your area to drive the the to make that that that business viable?

23:38
Yeah. So, yes. There In terms of the numbers, there are events
Mhm.
happening. There are weddings happening. But as I said now, I had figured the ones for me.
You have found a niche.
Yes.
Yes.
And I was okay charging what I charge so I can get certain people and it doesn't have to be every weekend.
Mhm.
I'm okay.
Mhm.
Remember, I'm also offering It's several services under one roof.
Okay.
And what comes to me is the cake.
Mhm.
Is the decor.
Mhm.
Is the coordination.
Mhm.
And is the ushering.
Okay.
You see?
Mhm.
So, I would rather go to an event where I'm having everything
Yes.
like where we met.
Mhm.
Than have a cake in where

24:22
Mhm.
the decor.
Mhm.
So, the numbers were sufficient for me.
Yes.
I do not know for the others, but for my niche,
Yes.
yes.
Yes.
Okay.
Because there are people who are looking for excellence. They're looking for unique, you know? So, and I was there.
Mhm.
And I have been there. So, people also, like you're saying, in the urban cities, are also looking when you're looking like to have your traditional wedding at your shags, wherever that is.
Yes.
You do not want to bring people from the urban centers cuz you're like also transport costs
Yes.
are quite huge.
Yes.
So, that's why for me it was
Okay.
You know, it was working.
Okay.

25:04
Yeah.
Great. I'm I'm enjoying this conversation, but let's speak a bit now about the investment.
Yes.
You know, um what does investment look like in your space? You know, uh where do your capital where does your capital expenditure go?
Mhm.
Um and in creating unique experiences, yeah,
Mhm.
um the challenge is um you could need to invest consistently and continuously to achieve that uniqueness, right? Because I would not want you to do my event and then it comes it's like the wedding I attended 3 months ago at my neighbor's
Yeah.
son's place.
Yeah.
So, what do you invest in? What are your critical areas for your business to and also let's speak about a bit about after that a bit about health and safety.

25:59
Mhm.
Because you're raising, you know, some really heavy stuff up you're putting up I saw your your your chandeliers and your your your decor that sits at the top of the tents is quite elaborate.
Mhm.
So, how how does your capital investment for your business look like in that regard?
So, um first of as I told you now one thing I learned is that if you're charging wrong, you can never grow.
Okay.
Never.
Okay.
You can never grow.
Mhm.
So, when you charge right and get your right client, you're good to go and then now just make sure you have consistency
Mhm.
in terms of the clients. So, that is how I have been able to create whatever I need for my clients. So, I'm charging right, so I'm able to put aside something for, you know, making new props,

26:51
Okay.
new backdrops
Yes.
um
sure I we have all the tools we need. You saw all the tools we had.
Yes.
You know, it's like a couple we we bring like a whole workshop.
Yes.
You know, so that's the thing.
Mhm.
And I just want to tell anyone in business because I've been there.
Mhm.
And that is one of the mistakes that cost me a lot. It cost me time. It cost me opportunities. It cost me money. charging wrong
Mhm.
You've got to know your numbers.
Okay. Okay.
And and and focus on your client and they will come.
Okay.
And as long as you are doing it the right way
Yeah.
that way that speaks to the client, the specific client you're looking for

27:38
Yeah.
Imagine they're willing to pay and it's able to, you know, everything goes where it's supposed to be.
Mhm.
So, we are able to get the machines, get what everything we need.
Okay.
Yeah, and I love it because also it means the team that I'm working with are able to also, you know, get a good living out of it. Yeah.
Nice.
Yeah.
Two things that stood out to me um in your event, yeah? One is your your use of because you like you say you are mainly you cater to mainly the Ukambani community in their traditional or weddings that are taking place within their areas, yeah? So, the two things that stood out for me are one um your use of traditional dance troops, you know, in your in your in your in putting together your events and two the use of

28:35 traditional artifacts and handcrafted things in your deco, yeah? Let's speak a bit about that and how that has embedded yourself or your business Hadassah Creations Limited in the community.
Mhm.
Yeah. They're working with I saw the the the the the the dancers the traditional dancers who are quite exceptional. So, let's speak a bit about that and your work there and how that impacts the community in which you work.
Yeah. So, you see like for that particular event, my bride wanted uh a Kamba themed wedding.
Yes.
It was a traditional wedding and she wanted a traditional. She was big on culture.
Mhm.
So, she was also getting married to a Ugandan Rwandese.
Yes.
So, here we are looking at culture.

29:27
Mhm.
Actually, [clears throat] that's what we were looking at culture and I needed to bring that to what it is.
Yes.
You know? And so, it came from her vision.
Mhm.
And that's what also I would tell all brides. You need to find who you are. You need to find who you are together with your partner.
Yes.
And then bring out come up with, you know, like what do we want?
Mhm.
This is who we are. The vision is very And my bride that particular bride,
Mhm.
she is and I know you know her. She's very
particular.
particular.
Yeah.
And I love that. Those are the challenges I love.
Mhm.
I I It was just a thrill working with her.
do you source now dancers and

30:09
Ah, yes. So, so for me it was now like the Kamba dancers cuz I'm a local, it was really easy to get a hold of them.
Mhm.
And for the rest uh we had Rwandese and we had Ugandan.
Yes.
My my client was able to bring in their people.
Okay.
Rwandese and the Ugandan. So, I also loved working with the Kamba dancers
Mhm.
as the Kilumi dancers.
Yes.
And just also as a creative I what once we were done, I was like, "You guys need to be on social media." Cuz it was so hard for me to get content of them to show my client. So, yes, I want to show my client like we can do this, we can have these traditional dancers, but what are they coming to do? How do they do it? Where are they? So, also for me, I started and over the years, I just started having this passion, you know, of helping others, other

31:13 creatives.
Okay. Okay.
Yeah, also found who they are and
about the artifacts, the local artifacts that you used in your in your deco?
Yeah.
You featured a lot of calabashes. You had a lot of local carvings that the Kamba community are famed for their hand carvings and handicrafts. Now, tell us a bit about the journey of sourcing that and incorporating them into your designs.
Yeah. So, it just came straight from the vision. So, I don't know. It It's like my road map. It's showing me where what I need and, you know, so we were able to source that locally.
Okay. Okay.
Um others we got from the um Muriru Market.
Okay.
So, it sells those stuff, but most of the people I realized were, you know, Kambas. Like I could get If it's the calabash, I could, you know, source it to Yeah.

32:03
Okay.
So, yes, I would just go to these African markets.
Okay.
Yeah.
Nice.
Yeah.
So, now you've you've got quite a well established, it's been a long journey, you know, from from baking cakes and to finding the gaps and then incorporating deco and then now becoming a a full-scale bespoke wedding planner. Yeah? Um but let's speak about the future. Yeah? So, you're here now, but what what do you continue to grow in in in in this space or how do you see Adasa Creations internationally evolving?
Awesome. So
Yeah.
[laughter]
Um a lot has changed or rather I'm really at a I'm in a pivoting position another pivot.
Okay, again?
Yeah.
Yeah, tell us more.
Yes, so recently last Friday I just graduated from a training on it's called the pink potential by Sarah Richardson.

33:09
Yes.
And we had a class in personal branding.
Mhm.
And it was just the aha moment for me.
Mhm.
I finally finally got my purpose.
Okay, and what is your purpose?
I'm on a mission to help others find themselves. I found me.
Yes.
And I felt like I was given the permission
Mhm.
to be me.
Okay.
So I have done all these things. I have been looking at the feedbacks. They're amazing. My clients are happy. Um I have a team that is excellent. We've been able to figure things out on how to go about business. Everything is amazing, but I could still feel there's something missing.
Yeah.
So finally I got it and it made sense why my journey has been the way it has been.

34:00
Okay.
And I just realized if you do not know who you are
Mhm.
you cannot achieve your why. There's no way you can achieve your why. You have to know who you are. And then now you have your purpose.
Yes. And now with with that discovery that you've now made about yourself, yeah? What are we going to see your business or what do you envision your business evolving into?
Yeah.
Yeah.
So first off, we are rebranding the business. We are just, you know, it just happened last Friday. So, we are almost a week old.
Hot off hot off the press, yeah? Uh-huh.
Yes. But, yes, one of the things we are going to do is focus, one, yes, on weddings and traditional weddings, and also focus on that client that wants unique, that client that wants them.

34:55
Mhm.
That clients that doesn't mind having 10 people in their wedding, four people in their wedding, having an elopement, just the two of them.
Yes.
That's who I want
Mhm.
to serve because that is me.
Yes.
Unique, um, out of this world as in, you know, it's just you.
Yes.
And that's what I want to do. I want to have weddings and design weddings that are for those kind of people who say, "I want to do me."
Yeah.
Yeah.
Okay.
Yeah.
What will that look like in the context of your current market? You've worked very hard to build a base. Yeah, you have a strong customer base. You have people You You work in a You work in an industry where, um, referrals must be very very strong, yeah? In the sense that, uh, people come to an event. I know that the wedding that, uh, we attended that you had a planned, uh, was the talk of of the neighborhood, yeah? And and town for a couple of

35:55 weeks. And I'll just assume that's where your business, uh, works. Maybe let's speak about this journey of pivoting, yeah? And the patience it requires when you make the pivot because, uh, the market would want to box you almost permanently into a certain state [clears throat] of being and saying, "You're this and and this is where we're going to keep you." But, you want to
Yeah.
to to change and discover yourself. So, what do you see, uh, having done it before, uh, on several occasions, pivoted your business. How do you see that happening in this instant?
First of, um, I am using professionals
Mhm.
in every single, like in in this journey now, like for for the last what, 6 days?

36:43
Yes.
I have been making sure I am talking to professionals in terms of, like now for the business branding, I'm I'm having a professional to take me through that. I'm having a professional to come in for my socials. I'm having a professional, like everything is just I just want a professional. I want someone who has, you know, the expertise.
Yeah.
And knows what they're doing. Because even me, when when when I'm looking for this client, I want them to come to me because I know what I'm doing.
Okay.
You know? And that's what I realized. I I mean, it's such it's such it it it's so flawless when you're working with someone who knows what they're doing.
Okay.
And has experience.

37:20
Yes.
And so, that's what I I am incorporating. I am also very intentional with having mentors, people that are telling me, you know, you could just go this way. So, when I went to Decore, and the mentorship part, that's where I learned it. When I decided I'm going to Decore, and uh, I had done the small part small weddings during COVID, but now COVID was over, and we're having big weddings. What did I do?
Mhm.
I went looked for someone in the event space who was already doing these big weddings. And I got someone. Her name is Mercy, just like me. And for my first event, I just went took all the money to her, told her I I need this to to work. I want this wedding this way. So, she gave me her people, her what? Her It was her staff, and everything was from her.

38:19
Mhm.
And she's in Nairobi, so now I'm bringing it over to Machakos. And then I bring a client that was looking to hire me.
Mhm.
And this client comes and sees what we have done and says, "You're the person I want to work with."
Okay.
And pays me well cuz we were able to take the entire event. Guess what? That's where I now buy my buy my first you know, my first everything I needed, the arcs, the carpets and all that.
Mhm.
That's where I bought.
Yes.
It was from that wedding.
Mhm.
So mentorship is very important. Just get someone who's already done what you're doing or what you want to do.
And learn.
It will make your work so easy you have no idea. And if you need to pay, which is in training, please get training.

39:05
Mhm.
Yeah. You've seen that like how many trainings I've I've been doing all my life. And it's not just that, I've done so many other um 2 years ago I also and it was just in the pursuit of finding me. I also did a program uh called Train and Speak.
Yeah.
Uh to be a trainer and a speaker.
Yeah.
And you see there's just a lot of training happening.
Okay.
That's really key.
Okay.
And that's what I'm doing right now. I'm also just making sure I'm I'm looking for someone to work with me
Yes.
on this journey and I have found that it's my coach, Sarah Richardson, the one I did the the training with
Okay.
about personal branding and she's working with me on this journey.

39:44
Yes.
Yeah, so everyone needs someone.
Do you have a timeline on how the journey or you'll allow the journey to be the journey?
I will allow to be the journey, but I'm also you see like I said 6 days, I'm trying to put everything together.
Yeah.
But um I'm also giving myself grace
Yes.
and just moving with how things are happening, but I I would luck like by the love that but the end of this year
Yeah.
moving on now to next year that I am fully functional in my area.
Okay.
Yeah, and then just to tell you also I know people will be thinking where is the decor going cuz I didn't talk about
Mhm. Mhm.
So, I've I've had my team for almost 5 years. The team that I have.

40:28
Yes.
And I decided they do not know that might just see this uh before we have our meeting, but I'm going to have them now run their own business together.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
will only come in
Mhm.
as a staff now. They're staff. When they need me, they could hire me as a designer. So, I can design what everything will look like. And that's what I've just been doing.
Yeah.
They get to execute.
Yes.
So, now I want them to do that.
Okay.
So, I am not disposing my staff or anything or even the things that we'll be using.
I want them to continue with that.
Okay.
As now I move to me being me.
Excellent.
Yeah.
Wow. I mean, that's that's a very interesting conversation. Um First of all, congratulations for having the audacity to to uh to try.

41:22
Mhm.
Yeah. Uh and to try uniquely.
Mhm.
I think that's something that this podcast is all about. Uh when we think about what we're trying to achieve here, we're trying to showcase um excellent Africans executing excellently.
Wow.
And I think one you you you encapsulate that in a lot of ways. One, the fact that you're confident enough to learn.
Yeah.
And we we we we have you being our 70th guest, we have found a kind of trend. And the trend you uh tends to be the people who tend to want to very adaptable to change.
Mhm.
Two, are very open to learning, which you clearly seem to be.
Yeah.
And are owning our spaces. I I we should be more comfortable with spaces that feel like us, look like us, and are us. Yeah. Because I, in my day job, I'm in the restaurant and hospitality space. And I love that we're now seeing restaurants, you know, that emerge and curate meals the way we eat, you know? And good food is not just And even the drinks that they have, they have them in a certain way. Yeah.

42:39
Yeah.
So, on that note, we will now ask you to maybe tell the audience a bit about your business. Even though you're in transition, it it still is an operating business, and I'm sure there may be some people who have heard about you and now would would like your services.
Yeah.
So, tell where we can find you, those socials that you said you have, as as we now wind up the episode.
Yeah.
So, I want to welcome everyone, first of all, on my journey. If you would want to continue to see this and see what this transform me to transforms into, karibu sana to my socials. It's at the moment Massie Doshi Mutua. Massie Doshi Mutua. And Doshi is d o s h y, and people ask me where did Doshi come from? I was My nickname was Kadogo when I was growing up. And Kadogo came from Kadogo to Kadosh. Kadosh Dosh to Doshi.

43:43
Okay. Okay. Okay.
So, of course, we will be I'm rebranding, and we're in the process. That's why it will take me a minute to make it to just Massie Mutua. But Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Massie Doshi Mutua. LinkedIn, Massie Mutua. But we will be transitioning, and I would love to have you on my journey. Come learn with me on how you can also be you, you can find you, you can find your giftings, you can find your talents, you can find purpose. And I Yeah, I'm just looking forward to have all of you with me on this journey. And for the weddings, that's my business. I want those clients that are saying, "I want me." This is your planner. I understand you and I can't wait to plan your weddings. Karibu ni sana.

44:41
Excellent.
Yeah.
So, wow, ladies and ladies and gentlemen, that was episode 70 of The African Do Code podcast. What a fabulous conversation that touches on quite a few topics that we are very keen and passionate about and encapsulated by our guests including Mercy today. And we look forward to seeing more. If you're planning a wedding thinking of a wedding or you want something unique designed, customized to who you are, then give Mercy a call and let's hope that we can have more of you getting married and celebrating your occasions in style. Thank you very much for joining us in episode 70 of The African podcast. Please do subscribe to our channel on YouTube and I will look forward to having you in future episodes. Thank you very much.