How I Became A CEO At 29

By Perminus Wainaina

Resigning from a well-paying job and diving into the deep end of entrepreneurship was one of the boldest moves I have ever made in my career.

8 ½ years ago, I made a choice to quit a good job and follow my passion.

The choice to finally quit from being an Accountant to a Human Resource professional stemmed from not being fully satisfied in my career.

When I resigned back in the year 2008, I immediately went back to school to study HR.

And in that same year, with a capital of only 500 Kenya Shillings ONLY in my pocket behind a slow computer in a cyber cafe, I embarked on starting my own HR consultancy firm.

Was it easy? A walk in the park? Certainly not! The last 8 ½ years have been a journey of patience, resilience, failures and comebacks but most importantly, it has been a journey of immense career satisfaction and advancement.

And I don’t regret it!

The point of me telling you my story is not to blow my own trumpet or come across as a show off.

But rather it is to inspire you to take bold steps!

Unlike me, you, you may not be looking to resign or start your own company but you want to take a step to make bold decisions that will take your career to the next level of greatness.

From an entrepreneur’s point of view, here are 4 crucial pieces of advice you should bear in mind if you are looking to become a CEO, run your own company successfully or simply advance in your career.

One; Re-align your career goal;

In my coaching sessions, it is not uncommon for 8/10 professionals to tell me “I’m stuck in my career”.

Upon digging further, I often realize that these professionals have lost sight of their career goal.

And if they have a career goal, they are not sure how to get there.

If you are experiencing challenges in getting to where you want to be professionally, simply start by re-aligning your career goals.

And the best way to do this is to use a simple yet effective tool that will help you in clearly mapping out your career goals.

Two; Get a career mentor;

Get someone who will inspire you in your career. Someone to motivate and challenge you by offering you constructive criticism where your career is concerned.

Look for help. If you are stuck in the wrong career, seek the help of an experienced professional who will walk with you as you endeavor to make strides in your career.

A good career mentor will also help you design a tailor made strategy of attaining your goal.

Such a mentor will also act as your accountability partner by making sure you remain focused and committed to the plan.

Three; start making bold moves!

Start networking in the right field. Attend events and seminars where you can share contacts with other professionals.

Don’t be afraid to make the right choices for your career no matter how difficult.

If you have been thinking about starting your own company, do your research and start making smart investments. Create your own website, start positioning yourself like an expert.

Use any and all available channels to sell your skills and expertise.

If you are seeking a promotion/salary increment, get your facts right and make a convincing presentation to your boss.

Four; Know that you will fail a few times but remain focused

I always say, “Keep your eye on the prize”.

If like me you are looking to run your own company, know this, you will fail quite a number of times.

But the catch is to NOT give up in spite of failing.

Rather, dust yourself up, learn from your mistakes and keep learning and growing.

Remember that those very mistakes and setbacks will serve as a foundation for you to grow immensely in your career.

Have I helped?

I would love to hear back from you. Let me know what you are currently planning to do in order to advance in your career and what is holding you back.

Perminus Wainaina is the C.E.O and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in Westlands. Through personalized career coaching he assists mid level and senior professionals get solutions to complex and challenging career issues that they are facing. Click here for more on career coaching.

18 Comments

  1. Thanks Perminus. I am a Technician but also did marketing, my hobbie is music. I live from hand to mouth. kindly advice.

  2. what a career advice,, atleast i have been able to gauge my position right now ..keep it up grow ..God blessed you for your Good job .

  3. Dear Christine,
    It is said that no man is an island. The truth of this statement is undeniable. You need someone experienced and skilled to help you design a road map of transitioning into your ideal career.

    With the help of a career coach and mentor, you will start exploring new options and ideas in which you can transition into doing what you love by positioning yourself.

    Fill this simple coaching assessment form (Click here and download) When you are done email it together with your latest CV to esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke and Cc pwainaina@corporatestaffing.co.ke

  4. Dear Sakina,
    Let’s first appreciate that your CV is doing a good job getting you those interview calls. So we disqualify your CV as the major culprit here.

    Moving on, the main problem could be how you present yourself to interviewers, your believe in your abilities, your confidence levels while in the interview room among other.

    You can seek interview coaching assistance to save this situation by emailing esther at esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke

    Let’s get you out of this hole of disappointments.

  5. Hi Charles,
    You have all that is needed to make it in that direction.
    Positive energy combined with a strong push for make it happen. Remember we are our own hindrances to success. So, go for it!

  6. Hi Sharon,
    Remember that everything does not end with employment.
    You can invest in your own ventures while stabilising and learning from your career but always have your eyes at the prize. So try to weigh option and choose what is working for you at this point.

    Regards

  7. Great and nice advice,am always looking forward to read such inspiring article. They keep me motivated. Thank you and God bless you and your team.

    Currently am in job haunt accounting area, have been through interviews and turns unsuccessful. It’s really hurting me and feel depressed with the responsibility ahead.

    I want to do something but I don’t know what.
    Please assist and advise me.

    Kindest Regards
    Sakina Mathenge
    +254712061363

  8. Afternoon Perminus,

    I feel stuck in my career.

    Never been so stuck.

    I am a personal assistant at PKF Kenya and I have not studied anything in secretarial studies but this is what I am doing for now.

    I need a way out and I don’t know where to start.

    Kindly assist if you can.

    Regards
    Christine Kamau

  9. Wow so touching …today was my first day to see this guidance because for real am totally stuck in my career and kindly I need your help

  10. Good read! How long did it take to get your first client? What marketing strategies did you use? Am working on my start up

  11. This is a great post and encouragement to new starters.

    But I still want to practice HR for a few more years and am eagerly waiting for results of an interview I did last week on Thursday in your offices. I have so much to give out i.e. practice HR even as I teach students the best practices in HR.

    Thanks
    Jane

  12. Thank you for your advice. But I would like to run a communication and transport firm yet I have no enough capital,and that’s why I’m looking for a job to make my life running. Advise how I can move forward please.

  13. Hi Perminus,
    Your advice is quite helpful. Since I started following your teachings, my perceptions towards everything has changed. Currently am urgently looking for an administrative job. But also am working on my program as a youth mentor and a motivational speaker. Should I continue looking for a job or should I generate all my energy and everything to the program for it to work? Kindly advice.

    Thanks.

    Sharon.

  14. that was amazing ,i want to open a business kinyozi all i have now is like you 500 bob icome from a family that is not that well financially therefore i have a lot challenges but i know i will make it thank you

  15. This is an exquisite article. We always have the fear of the unknown syndrome in Africa!!! I graduated with an honours Bachelor degree in civil engineering. Prior to graduation, I joined army as a professional engineer. You know the setup and operation of army, I couldn’t get freedom to exercise my abilities and career progression became stagnant as it wasn’t clear therein. 18 years into work in 2015_I registered a civil engineering firm Damude Technical Services Ltd. However, operations of such nature or winning contracts are capital intensive hence not to lift off the ground… Grow the company!!! Entered mobile money business to keep the firm afloat but didn’t have adequate financing to do this. The business is not breaking even due to lack of financial muscle!! How best can you advise me here? Is it in order to get an international job, earn a few foreign currencies that I would invest into the business to take off? Your professional input is called for here sir CEO

  16. Great advice as always. I’m a big fun of your articles. Currently I’m working as a data scientist but i want to switch to software development since that’s where my passion is, any advice for me.

Comments are closed.