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52 Posts
Joel Balimanya: On Building Business From An Old Car Tire…

Joel Balimanya: On Building Business From An Old Car Tire…

Joel Balimanya Artist! Artist? Yes it's his deserved title! Creativity takes a lot of courage  and after all he did see treasure where most saw old tired rubber! I bet you own some of his creations and you do not even have a clue! Here's your chance to dig into the mind of a real breathing artist.. The Man Behind The Art... Before we get down to business, a few pleasantries are exchanged as would be expected (he was my art teacher after all). This is crazy right! Who would have possibly imagined, that all these years later I would…
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Dear Self…Introspection is Crucial.

Dear Self…Introspection is Crucial.

Dear self, Breathe. There will be days where everything is good and others where you feel alone. Just breathe through it. It'll pass. You'll meet people who are worth it and others, who'll just be passing through your life.    Breathe. The greatest lessons I can share with you; ANYONE can be toxic in your life. It doesn't matter if its family or friends, their behavior can really harm you. Even you yourself can be toxic to someone. So introspection is crucial. People will take your kindness for weakness and take you for granted then make you the villain when…
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#theConversationsCrushes: Patsy Mugabi Part2

#theConversationsCrushes: Patsy Mugabi Part2

➢ On Life A woman I look up to so much is poet and author Maya Angelou. She once said, “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” So on that note, what’s the most courageous thing you’ve done lately? Oh!!! Me too! Maya Angelou! Can I actually change my answer and go back and say Auntie Maya Angelou the late? I love her, love her!  Can I just say I love you! Gurl… Sandrah, you are a boss…
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Why We Need To Unlearn To Learn…

Why We Need To Unlearn To Learn…

As futurist Alvin Toffler once wrote, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”   When we join a new school, a new church, a new company; we learn to do things the way others do. When we move to new place, we pay attention to its local people and unconsciously pick up their ways of saying, doing and being. We are automatically conditioned by the environment we live in and sometimes this is necessary for survival, sometimes even desirable. But just as we cannot…
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Pieces Of Wisdom To Remember

Pieces Of Wisdom To Remember

Success makes many people go crazy. Your ego can make or break you. Stay humble as you win. Remember: this can all end overnight. So act as if you’ll fail, or still can, to keep your humility. Rudeness is a sign of ego. It’s also a sign of an a-hole. Stay away from people who disrespect service workers. Cooks, cleaners, waiters, etc., are doing the best they can (and even if they aren’t), shouting at them as if they’re slaves still makes you the lowest form of human on the planet. Assume everyone is imperfect to not be disappointed. Stop…
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Dear Self…You will find your light.

Dear Self…You will find your light.

Dear Self, This world we live in is not a walk on the red carpet. It isn’t always roses and sunshine but as dark as it gets sometimes, you will make a way. Despite that darkness you will find the path that gets you to your place of light. Be careful with who you surround yourself with. People are funny. People are superficial. Learn to rely on yourself. Listen to your gut, trust your instincts. But above all, put God first. With him, nothing ever fails.   There is no greater power in quitting. The process may be slow but…
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Dear Self, You Can Overcome Self Hatred.

Dear Self, You Can Overcome Self Hatred.

Dear Self, A letter as I walk down memory lane.   Before I grew up in a family of strong believers; my parents did not just talk the talk, they walked the walk. Church became my second home. Everyone encouraged each other and uplifted each other. Home was my safety net. Church was my comfort zone. But whenever I stepped out of those two settings; I did not feel at home. In fact I did not feel safe… with my self. I did not feel at home in my own skin.   I was obese, over weight. When I was…
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#theConversationCrushes: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu.

#theConversationCrushes: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of SoleRebels, one of the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. SoleRebels has been expanding rapidly and has 18 stores around the world, including in Silicon Valley (USA), Japan, Singapore, Austria, Greece, Spain and…
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Dear Self, Beware Of Deadly Friends.

Dear Self, Beware Of Deadly Friends.

Dear Self, It’s me, the older version of you. I think it’s time for an honest real talk. This letter isn’t about judging, shaming or blaming you. You do too much of that, already. No, this is different. This letter is about caution. At a very young age, you will make some friends, some dangerous, bad friends. Their names are drugs and alcohol.   Because of these friends, your life will be become a rollercoaster of bars, vomit, tears and sex. There are nights you will curl up in a little ball of bone and skin because your lifestyle will…
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Dear Self, You’re Never Too Old To Cry.

Dear Self, You’re Never Too Old To Cry.

Dear Self, I am proud of you. You’re not yet there, not half where you want to be, but you’re doing great! You have fought a lonely painful battle. It is still so painful; you cry every single time you think about it. It’s still too fresh. I know.... I know you look forward to withdrawing from the party to cry in peace. You tell those silly perverted jokes and make them laugh, just so you can run off alone to cry and wish you could talk to someone. They say you’re a good listener, a natural helper but you’re…
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