There’s a lot to be said for Paul’s exhortation in his letter to the Hebrews – each of us has something we are good at, and our best comes when we can find it and put it to good use. People like Mwangi Kirubi, co-owner of advertising agency The Ark, will readily agree.
Mwangi Kirubi At Work
After being in comfortable employment for close to seven years, Mwangi felt the call to move on and launch into the deep. He quit his job, determined to cut a niche for himself in advertising. His chance came in June 2006, when he was approached with an offer to put together an advertising package for a client. Grabbing the opportunity, he brought on board two of his friends, Fady Roston and Makumi Wanjohi, and got to work.
Even after doing excellent work, Mwangi and his colleagues were never paid. But the project did serve to open their eyes to their collective potential, and led to their decision to set up their own company, The Ark. Even though none of them had formal training in advertising, they had lots of faith in their hands-on experience and ability to learn and adapt. The gamble paid off, and one and a half years later, the ad agency’s balance sheet is in the millions, and they boast a very impressive client portfolio that includes Equity Bank.
Looking back, Mwangi recalls the unease that led to his decision to leave his job as an advertising guru with one of the top media houses in the country:
“I started asking myself, do I really want to be employed for the rest of my life?Many people I know who have made it (financially) are self-employed!”
He points out that employment has many limitations, not least of which is that no matter how much effort you put in, all you get at the end of the day is what you signed up for. On the other hand, he acknowledges that it offers security – something not to be taken lightly in the current economic environment. But Mwangi has found his satisfaction in being able to do what he loves and on his own terms, and proved that it can work.
Mwangi, Makumi & Fady
Being a believer has played a big part in Mwangi’s business life, first in his decision to quit his job and go solo (especially when hard times abounded), and also in the day-to-day dealings with clients and colleagues. He says:
“For the longest time, I used to ask God, what’s Your calling for me? Now I know He has called me to serve Him through this business…and everyday, I have to live that life in such a way that people will see Him in me. I’m able to influence my colleagues and clients by how I live my life, submitting every aspect of the business to God…”
Mwangi credits his financial success now to consistently applying giving and stewardship principles. And he’s quick to sound advice to those thinking of starting their own businesses to not ‘jump into anything without God’. He also adds that employment may be a necessary preparation ground, as it will give one exposure and experience to do his own thing.
His final word to aspiring businessmen and women:
“What is the ONE thing that you love doing so much you could do it for free? That is what you should pursue, and then try make money out of it. Do it for the passion, for the satisfaction…It is better to die happy than to die rich.”
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