Founder Diaries Podcast

Not every profitable business looks exciting on Instagram and this minisode proves it. We asked a question on my TikTok page: what are some unglamorous ways people are making good money? The comments did not disappoint.In this minisode, we highlight some of the most interesting responses, including:✅ Portable toilet rentals✅ Selling popcorn✅ Loan/financing businesses for boda boda riders✅ Supplying WiFi to local marketsThese aren't the businesses that make it into glossy founder interviews, but they're solving real problems and making real money; proof that you don't need a flashy idea to build something profitable.If you've been waiting for the "perfect" business idea, this minisode might just change what you're looking for.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partners / royalreelph. .💄 Makeup City — on makeup / makeupcityy. .👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

They say there are two things that can quietly shut a business down over time: taxes and calamity. In this minisode, we get into why staying informed about taxes isn't optional it affects your business every single day, whether you're paying attention to it or not. Choosing to ignore it doesn't protect you; it just makes you easier to take advantage of.Here are the tax lessons learned the hard way, the things worth knowing early. If you've been letting your accountant "just handle it" without understanding why, this one's your sign to pay closer attention.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER SPOTLIGHT🔹 DigiTax — Simplifying tax and invoicing for businesses so you can focus on growth, not paperwork. Learn more: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketPARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partners / royalreelph. .💄 Makeup City — on makeup / makeupcityy. .👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Some businesses don't just survive they become institutions. In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Rea Song, Marketing and Business Development Director at Misono and son of the founder, to unpack over 30 years of the Misono journey: the story, the lessons, the mishaps, and how a single restaurant became a household name.Daniel takes us back to where it all started — his father's journey through Safari Park, which shaped the chef he would become, and his decision to build a life and a family in Kenya, drawn in by the education system and the opportunity it offered his children. Misono opened its doors in 1995, starting out of a modest rented space on Lenana Road with a limited menu — a location it would call home for 16 years, until 2011.We also get into what's kept Misono consistent for three decades despite chefs coming and going over the years: documented SOPs for every single dish, standardized training, and strict quality control. Plus, Daniel shares his own story growing up under an entrepreneur, his early hustles, what actually happens behind the scenes every day to keep the business running, and how they think about employee retention.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER SPOTLIGHT🔹 DigiTax — Simplifying tax and invoicing for businesses so you can focus on growth, not paperwork. Learn more: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketPARTNER HIGHLIGHTSarova:We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelph...💄 Makeup City — on makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy...👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Paying yourself isn't a luxury it's the entire point of building a business. In this minisode, we break down a founder's toolkit for wealth creation: three things you need in place to protect yourself financially, even as a small business owner.Here's what we cover:✅ Pension ✅ A two-tier emergency fund — one for you personally, one for the business✅ A salary that actually covers your real expenses✅ Why diversification only makes sense once these three foundations are in placeThe goal isn't to work harder for the business, it's to work less and make more money, starting with actually paying yourself.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partners / royalreelph. .💄 Makeup City — on makeup / makeupcityy. .👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Every founder hits a funk - the days where motivation disappears and getting anything done feels impossible. In this minisode, we're sharing a personal reboot strategy: three simple things I do every working day to jumpstart out of a slump and back into productivity.None of this requires a complicated morning routine or hours of free time just three small, repeatable habits that compound over time.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partners / royalreelph. .💄 Makeup City — on makeup / makeupcityy. .👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Today`s episode features Ivy, a business coach who works with founders to build scalable, legacy-ready businesses. Her work is centered on helping founders put the right systems in place, hire the right people, and build something that can grow beyond their own limitations; something they can eventually pass on or sell.Ivy takes us through her own entrepreneurial journey, starting with selling cabbages at 7 years old at a 75% profit margin (a lesson in sales she still carries today), all the way to a salon investment with her husband that flopped teaching her that not every founder should open just any business. In the episode, we also get deep into hiring: simple shifts founders can make in how they hire and manage people, the real cost of a bad hire, and why so many founders hold onto underperforming "day one" employees out of loyalty, even when the gaps are obvious and the business is paying the price.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER SPOTLIGHT🔹 DigiTax — Simplifying tax and invoicing for businesses so you can focus on growth, not paperwork. Learn more: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelph...💄 Makeup City — on makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy...👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Being busy is not the same as being productive, and this minisode might make you a little uncomfortable. We're reviewing the book Great CEOs Are Lazy, whose core idea is simple but hard to swallow: CEOs aren't paid to be busy, they're paid for the 20% of work that produces 80% of the results. The real job isn't filling your calendar, it's learning to be ruthlessly efficient with the few hours a day that actually move the needle.We have some exciting news at the end of this minisode — stick around for it. And catch the follow-up conversation on how founders should actually be spending their time, coming soon.SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTThis episode is brought to you by:Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelph...💄 Makeup City — on makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy...👗 HAWI Ready To Wear — on the wardrobehttps://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Motivation runs out. Systems don't. In this minisode, we talk about consistency not as a personality trait, but as something you can engineer. Borrowing a behavioral strategy from the author of Profit First, we break down "habit sandwiching": stacking a new habit between two things you already do without fail, so there's no room for excuses.If there's a habit you've been trying (and failing) to stick to, this one gives you an actual system to make it work.SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTThis episode is brought to you by:Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelph...💄 Makeup City — on makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy...👗 HAWI Ready To Wear — on the wardrobehttps://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

This week, we're switching things up with a roundtable conversation featuring four incredible founders, each building in a completely different space:🔹 Val Njoroge — Co-Founder, Africa's Pocket & Panda Towers🔹 Patricia — Founder, Party Lounges (Furniture & Décor Rental)🔹 Liz Gitari — Founder, Ogolaw & Wakili Lux | Podcaster, The Green Brief KE🔹 Waithera Mugo — Founder, [Commercial Law Firm] & Co-Founder, Ithera Africa (Tax Advisory)We got into some of the harder, less-talked-about parts of building a business: the loss of good employees because of leadership missteps in different seasons, and the quieter loss of potential — when someone you've poured into doesn't believe in themselves enough to grow into who you can already see they could be.We also asked the question a lot of founders avoid: do you have an exit strategy? We talk about the advantage (and the trap) of being the face of your brand, why so many of us call our businesses our "babies," and the real difference between registering a business and owning a trademark — and why that distinction matters enormously if you ever decide to sell. This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER SPOTLIGHT🔹 DigiTax — Simplifying tax and invoicing for businesses so you can focus on growth, not paperwork. Learn more: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelph...💄 Makeup City — on makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy...👗 HAWI Ready To Wear— on the wardrobe https://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?ig...Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram/ founderdiar. .Tiktok/ founder.diari..Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠/ entrepreneurm. .

We started our businesses to make money but why does profit always feel like an afterthought? In this minisode, we break down key insights from Profit First, and one formula in particular that flips things. SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTThis episode is brought to you by:Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co PARTNER HIGHLIGHT 🤝We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 3 partner. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comOur other Season 3 partners are:🎥 Royal Reel — our audio-visual partnershttps://www.instagram.com/royalreelphotography_?igsh=MWpvaDNqemF2aTh1Yg==💄 Makeup City — on our hosts' makeuphttps://www.instagram.com/makeupcityy?igsh=amZwc2tkdXBpY2lu👗 HAWI — on our hosts' outfitshttps://www.instagram.com/hawi_rtw?igsh=NHZncHJpMG04OXJoFollow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Most job descriptions are copy-pasted from Google, and that's exactly why so many hires don't work out. In this minisode, we break down performance-based hiring: a practical, 5-step approach to building your HR process around actual output, not vague titles.Here's what you'll learn:✅ Why the generic JD is killing your hiring process✅ How I have used the SMART method to define real, measurable expectations✅ Why you should never hire alone✅ The "devil's advocate" step most founders skip✅ How to assess for the soft skills that don't show up on a resumePlus some hiring drawings from BSK and SAGE's own processes.This episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram/ founderdiar. .Tiktok/ founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

Founder Squad, We're back for Season 3!!We're kicking the season off with someone who's redefining what building wealth in Africa looks like. Val Njoroge is the Co-Founder & CEO of Africa's Pocket (a digital investment and financial advisory platform) and Co-Founder of Panda Towers (a real estate passive-income venture).In this episode, Val takes us all the way back to her first brush with entrepreneurship, and how that curiosity eventually led her to Oxford for her MBA. She breaks down how Panda Towers and Africa's Pocket were born, and how she personally built streams of passive income. We also get into the technical side of her business model, the connecting of foreign capital to local opportunities, and the financial mistakes made along the way.If you've ever wondered how to make your money work harder for you, this one's packed with real, practical insight.PARTNER SPOTLIGHT🔹 DigiTax — Simplifying tax and invoicing for businesses so you can focus on growth, not paperwork. Learn more: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketThis episode is brought to you by:🔹 Beauty Square KE — Your go-to destination for premium, quality beauty essentials. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ / yvonnekanyi. .TikTok⁠ / entrepreneurm. .

What do you do when business challenges start feeling personal?How do you know it's finally time to hire?Should every business be built to scale?In this Season 2 finale, we're flipping the script and answering some of the most common questions and dilemmas submitted by our audience. Through honest conversation and lived experience, we explore different ways founders can approach the challenges that come with building a business.This episode isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and giving founders practical frameworks to make more confident decisions.Whether you're just starting out or years into your entrepreneurial journey, you'll likely hear a question you've asked yourself before.Thank you for being part of Season 2. Your support, questions, and conversations have made this journey possible, and we can't wait to keep learning and building together.🎥 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss what's coming next.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

One of the biggest barriers to golf is the perception that it's expensive, exclusive, and difficult to access.In Episode 10, we sit down with Kamau Nyabwengi, Founder and CEO of Yen Golf, to unpack his entrepreneurial journey, the business behind golf, and how he has spent over a decade making the sport more accessible to thousands of people.Kamau shares how Yen Golf has worked to reduce golf barriers through an 8-week beginner-friendly program. Participants simply show up in golf attire and are guided through everything from golf equipment and swing fundamentals to course etiquette and tournament participation.No club membership required.No prior experience needed.Just a willingness to learn.🎥 Subscribe and turn on notifications for more founder stories, business lessons, and entrepreneurial insights.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Hiring your first employee feels exciting.Managing them? That's where many founders discover an entirely different challenge.In this minisode, we will be reflecting on one of the biggest struggles entrepreneurs and managers face: navigating performance issues and having difficult conversations with employees.Many founders start by hiring based on attitude, education, and willingness to learn. But what happens when performance begins to decline? What happens when expectations are no longer being met?For many of us, the challenge isn't identifying the problem, it's addressing it.We notice the small things.We get frustrated.We avoid the conversation.And over time, the gap between expectations and performance continues to grow.Sit put as we draw insights from a framework shared by Alex Hormozi called The Management Diamond, this episode explores a practical and objective way to approach performance conversations without blame, assumptions, or unnecessary conflict.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

What happens when the business you've spent years building no longer excites you?In Episode 9, we sit down with Joanna K, founder of Joanna K Cosmetics and one of Kenya's most influential beauty content creators, to unpack her journey from makeup enthusiast to building one of Kenya's leading beauty brands. 💄✨But this isn't just a business story.It's a conversation about creativity, content creation, entrepreneurship, burnout, reinvention, and learning how to fall back in love with the vision you once had.Joanna shares how she spent nearly two years feeling disconnected from the business she had worked so hard to build because she was exhausted.Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, founder, or someone trying to build something meaningful, this episode is packed with lessons on business, branding, resilience, and staying the course.✨ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more founder conversations and business insights.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Welcome to Episode 8:Today, Abel Mutua and Judy Nyawira share the journey behind their creative careers, entrepreneurship, and the business lessons that completely changed how they approached the industry 🎬From humble beginnings, internships, and unconventional jobs to handling multi-million-shilling productions, this episode explores the reality behind building a sustainable creative business.Don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on your notification.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Most founders learn money the hard way. Most of us figure it out through pressure, mistakes, survival, and experience.In Minisode 15, we unpack practical money advice for founders from years of building and running businesses; the lessons, mistakes, and financial habits that every entrepreneur should start thinking about early. Because somewhere along the journey of impact, growth, hiring, and scaling… many founders forget the original goal: The business was supposed to make money for you.In this minisode, we discuss:1. Paying Yourself First2. Business Savings & Cash Reserves3. Building Relationships With Your Bank4. Reviewing Personal Finances and Why it Still Matters5. Emergency savings, investing, pensions, and creating wealth beyond the business.Don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications for more founder conversations and practical business insights.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Back-to-back meetings,Constant notifications,Supplier issues,Endless tasks,New ideas every hour 👀And somehow… at the end of the day, it still feels like you’re not moving the business forward.In Minisode 14, we unpack the powerful concept of Signal vs Noise inspired by Steve Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997 and how it helped transform the company. In this minisode, we explore:The origin of Signal vs Noise from information theoryWhy founders choose noiseThe “founder signal problem”Practical ways to identify signal in your businessHow to structure your day around signal👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications for more founder conversations and business insights.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

In Episode 7, we sit down with Susan Wanjiku, founder of The Legacy Hub, a platform focused on making financial literacy simple, accessible, and personalized. From growing up in poverty, accumulating over 1 million in debt, losing her job during restructuring, surviving through online writing, and eventually building a personal finance coaching business. Susan shares a deeply honest story about money, survival, self-worth, and business.You can interact/reach out to The Legacy Hub KE on thelegacyhub.co.keDon’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications for more founder stories.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

As founders, every day we discover another thing the business needs.Another task, another responsibility, another thing added to our plate. But what if the answer isn’t working harder but building systems?In Minisode 13, we unpack the importance of systemizing your business, delegating, and creating workflows that allow consistency without everything depending on you. The goal isn’t to become the person who does everything but to build a business that can function even when you step away. Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

One determined woman, Four products, One counter, and a Relentless belief in herself. In Minisode 12, we unpack the incredible backstory behind Estée Lauder, the founder who built one of the world’s most iconic beauty companies starting from her kitchen.Before the global brand, before luxury counters and worldwide recognition, she was mixing creams, going door-to-door, giving free samples, demonstrating products herself, and convincing women to believe in her vision. What made her different wasn’t just the product, It was her mindset. In this minisode, we explore:How Estée Lauder learned formulation and skincare educationWhy founder-led selling became her superpowerThe strategy behind product demonstrations & free samplesHow she generated demand before retailers believed in herWhy premium positioning matters even in the early stagesThe famous “gift with purchase” strategy she pioneered. I hope you can learn some key lessons from her story, enjoy and don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications for more founder stories. Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off. Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

What does it actually take to build a successful coaching business? In Episode 6, we sit down with John Paul Nyiha, an online fitness and dietary coach who has spent over 9 years building a coaching business tailored specifically for Kenyan women.This conversation goes beyond fitness, we unpack the business side of coaching: the inception, positioning, pricing, client acquisition, and the mindset behind building a sustainable coaching brand.Coach J.P shares how his journey started from a deeply personal place, wanting to change how he looked and eventually helping his mum and how this experience pushed him to develop a coaching philosophy that challenged conventional fitness culture and eventually shaped the business he runs today.In this episode, we explore:The inception behind becoming a fitness coachWhy he chose to focus specifically on womenThe business side of coachingStarting with free coaching and scaling to premium programsWhy simplicity became the core of his coaching modelIf you’ve ever struggled with fitness, weight loss, nutrition, or want to learn how you can price yourself as a coach, this episode is for you!👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications 🔔Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403 DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram/ founderdiar. .Tiktok/ founder.diari..Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

In today`s minisode, we break down the story of how two brothers transformed a simple drive-in restaurant into one of the most scalable business models in the world—by doing something radical.In 1948, Richard and Maurice McDonald shut down their restaurant, simplified their menu, and rebuilt their entire operation around speed, consistency, and repeatability. The result? The Speedee Service System—a kitchen designed like an assembly line that could produce the same meal, the same way, every single time. Later, Ray Kroc saw the power of this system and scaled it into what we now know as the McDonald’s Corporation.In this minisode, we explore:How McDonald’s went from a drive-in to a global systemWhy simplifying their menu changed everythingThe birth of repeatable, standardized operationsWhy you can only scale processes - not chaosDon’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notificationsPartner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.com Sponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

When is the right time to start paying yourself as a founder, and how much should you actually take home? 🤔A lot of businesses are started with one goal: to make money for you. But somewhere along the way, many founders end up underpaying themselves… or not paying themselves at all.In this episode, we break down the reality of founder compensation and why paying yourself isn’t optional - It’s a core principle of building a sustainable business.Because if your business can pay everyone and everything else… why not you? In this episode, we cover:1. When to Start Paying Yourself2. The 3 key stages of business 3. Smart Compensation StructureKey Insight:If you’re not paying yourself, your business isn’t giving you a true picture of what it actually costs to run...And that? Can cost you more in the long run.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe & turn on notifications for more real conversations around business, money, and growth.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

What if everything you thought about profit, business, and your personal value… was wrong? 👀In Episode 5, we sit down with Mr. Waithaka Gatumia, a financial literacy coach, who breaks down the realities of business, money, and what it truly means to build wealth.From transitioning out of Media & Communications into financial education, to helping people grow sustainable wealth, this conversation is packed with hard truths and practical wisdom every entrepreneur (and self-employed individual) needs to hear. The difference between being self-employed vs an entrepreneurWhy profit is NOT your money 💸The real aim of every business (and why many get it wrong)Why labour is a cost (yes, even yours!)Understanding your true value beyond your businessAnd the story of how Mr. Waithaka ended up spending dollars in just two weeks 😂Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Why are so many founders determined to use their own money to build businesses? 🤔In this Minisode, we unpack the deeply rooted mindset behind self-funding and bootstrapping, especially among Kenyan founders, and ask the uncomfortable question:Is it always bravery… or sometimes fear and lack of awareness?From selling personal assets, borrowing from chamas, and taking high-interest loans, to wearing burnout like a badge of honor - this episode challenges the narrative many founders have grown up believing.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

In this episode of Founder Diaries, we sit down with a creative entrepreneur, Tara Nicole as she shares her journey of building, evolving, and reinventing herself across multiple creative industries.From painting on t-shirts and shoes, to diving into food photography for brands, to creating props and drops —Tara’s story is one of constant evolution, bold pivots, and following curiosity.Today, she’s shares her journey as a vibe curator, running a mobile cocktail experience that blends creativity, experience, and lifestyle.This conversation goes beyond just business, it will remind you that it is okay to start before you feel ready and that every version of you is part of the journey.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

Opening a new branch sounds like growth but it can quickly become pressure if you’re not fully prepared.In this minisode, we’re unpacking the real conversations every entrepreneur needs to have before expanding, because having cash flow doesn’t always mean you have overflow, and that distinction can make or break your next move.We get into:Why data matters more than hype; Understanding your market, order volumes, and the people in that areaThe hidden costs most people overlook (equipment, systems, WiFi, hiring, legal, and more)The importance of vetting—why you should always ask for past work, long-term results, and real client feedback before bringing people on boardThe operational truth—whether your business is actually built to sustain another branchIf you’ve been thinking about scaling, this is your reality check. Subscribe and turn on notifications.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

Sage Skin officially turned 1 last month and in this episode I get to share some financial decisions that almost cost me the business and how we've managed to pivot since then. Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.com Sponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram  / founderdiar.  Tiktok  / founder.diari.  Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

In today’s episode, we explore the power of founder-led brands and what it really means to build through founder-led marketing.More than just visibility, founder-led marketing is about becoming the primary channel for trust, storytelling, authority, and distribution. It’s strategic, intentional, and deeply human.If you’re building a brand, this episode will challenge you to step forward not just as a founder, but as the face and voice that brings your vision to life.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

In today`s episode, we feature Lynn Ngugi (commonly knows as Miss Turu), who is a well celebrated Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and founder of ANO Advocates LLP as she takes us through her journey of becoming a lawyer, transitioning from a well paying job into building businesses that are thriving in the market.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comNow, you`ve heard me talk about DigiTax for a while now and I'm here to plug you again. When you think Digitax think tax and e-tims simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403Digitax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

This episode is a follow-up on Minisode 4, where we go deeper into what it really takes to build systems that support growth, not just survival.We break down the power of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), the franchise mindset, and scaling properly and how small consistent structures allow a business to scale.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram / founderdiar. .Tiktok / founder.diari. .Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVj...Follow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi...TikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurm...

In this episode, we unpack key insights from The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber—and the hard truth about what’s really holding most businesses back.The difference between working in your business and working on your business.Most small businesses don’t fail because the owner lacks skill but because the owner never stops being the technician.Technical skills may generate income, but systems build sustainable businesses.This episode will challenge how you think, build, and operate.Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.com Sponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

Did you know that the Melvin Marsh company didn’t start as a tea brand—it started by solving a practical everyday problem through Kenya’s first free-flowing salt? In today`s episode, we sit down with the Founder & CEO of Melvin Marsh International as she shares her journey into building this well celebrated tea brand that has become a household name across boarders. Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.com When you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

According to Rory Sutherland, (a well-known behavioral science expert at Ogilvy in the U.K), human beings don't buy things for purely logical or practical reasons. Instead, their decisions are driven by subconscious desires, emotional triggers, and perceived meaning.In this episode, we’ll be unpacking the real reason VS the practical reason behind consumer behaviour, exploring what truly influences people to say “yes.” More importantly, we’ll dive into how founders can tap into emotion and market to the feeling in a way that genuinely connects and converts.Partner Spotlight;We’re honoured to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

Imagine having a phone that doesn`t force you to be on your screens all day but you still get your notifications on time. In this episode, we talk about an entrepreneur called Kat Goetze who invented a bluetooth landline phone that is able to connect to your smartphone, which means if your phone rings, the landline rings. The phone was designed to help users reduce screen time by allowing them to take calls on a familiar handset without picking up their smartphones, how cool.Partner Spotlight;We’re honoured to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comWhen you think DigiTax think tax and e-TIMS simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403DigiTax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiar...Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diari...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFollow our host on socials:Instagram⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

Imagine being able to access real data to understand your business operations, reduce stock-outs and who your consumers are. In this episode, Michelle Watiki, Co-founder of Duck Analytics takes us through the importance of data and client segmentation in business building to make better decisions that boost revenue. Duck Analytics helps retailers optimise their pricing and location strategies using an AI-powered platform empowering you with real-time data for smarter decisions.Partner Spotlight;We’re honoured to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comNow, you`ve heard me talk about DigiTax for a while now and I'm here to plug you again. When you think Digitax think tax and e-tims simplified. Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403Digitax — your tax assistant in your pocketSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.com and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram⁠\TikTok - @founderdariespodcast Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1CBpdVjLHAuO96jyYCLo4S?si=SJOyRSTQS_GXgTOFzZc0ZgFind our host on socials:Instagram⁠:https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyi?igsh=Y3NiczB1YWR1eW1wTikTok⁠:https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamake?_r=1&_t=ZS-95NMkTDQ6wD

Welcome to Season 2 of Founder Diaries! 🎙️In this first minisode, I take you back to where it all began—my story, my journey into business, and how we got here. From selling noodles in high school to building two thriving beauty and skincare brands, this is a raw and honest look at the process behind the progress.One thing I’ve learned? Skincare is like math—there’s a formula for everything.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to start, grow, and stay consistent in business, this one is for you. Partner Spotlight;We’re honored to have Sarova Hotels as our Season 2 partner on Founder Diaries. From creating beautiful spaces to curating unforgettable experiences, Sarova is the best fit for your staycation, business meeting or that special celebration. Visit their website to check out their facilities and services at www.sarovahotels.comSponsor highlight;This podcast is proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquare.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/founderdiariespodcast?igsh=MTI2NzNndTgyZGUydg==Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@founder.diaries.po?_r=1&_t=ZS-95LDUI5VlHY

Listen to the story of how Cellulant was built, the businesses Ken Njoroge built prior to getting investors into the business. He built with a larger market in mind and today that is a reality. Today's hustle is Komini which is a business built to create community for small business owners and helping them "arrive alive." Then hear the perspective of Kui Njoroge who built alongside him and continues to do so in Komini. Asking: "How big the business shall be vs how big it can be."Find Komini on socials: InstagramFind our host on socials:Instagram⁠ -   / yvonnekanyi  TikTok⁠ -   / entrepreneurmamake  Follow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠\TikTok - @founderdariespodcast Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

Hear my thoughts on how I would market my business if social media was no longer available. Social media is becoming saturated and more people sensitive to promotional content thus affecting it's effectiveness. We need to start thinking about offline ways to engage and attract new customers. What are your ideas? Engage us in the comment section. Find our host on socials:Instagram⁠ TikTok⁠ Follow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠TikTok - @founderdariespodReach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠HERE⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke, and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co, and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

Catch up on Waithera Mugo's story and how she went from a law student to owning her own firm and building a niche business with Ithera Africa, a tax & wealth advisory firm. I learned from here there are so many ways to legally reduce your tax liability as a business and to think through your corporate structure and the implications that has on your tax points. The true point of a business is to make money for the business owner - hear more on how to maximize this. Find Waithera: https://ithera.africa/, on Instagram: @waithera_mugo Find our host on socials:Instagram⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyiTikTok⁠ - https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamakeFollow Founder Diaries on socials:⁠Instagram⁠\TikTok - @founderdariespodcast Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke, and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

Find our host on socials:Instagram⁠ TikTok⁠ Follow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠TikTok - @founderdariespodcast  Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: HERE⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke, and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co, and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

You know… running a product business will teach you math you didn’t even know you needed.Not the cute math… the painful math.The “why is my cash gone yet my shelves are full?” math.Today we’re talking about inventory mistakes, the true cost of dead stock, and why inventory turnover and run rate are non-negotiable if you want a healthy business.Inventory is a beast to master and has to be mastered to really optimize your business - most importantly cash flow! Learn why dead stock is detrimental to your business and get specific and practical tips on how to better manage inventory. "Inventory doesn’t care how passionate you are.It doesn’t care how good your brand is.It doesn’t care how many followers you have.Inventory rewards:SystemsDisciplineCash flow awarenessNegotiation skillsAnd the willingness to say “no” to suppliersIf you master your turnover, your run rate, and your inventory planning, you stop running your business like a kiosk…" Find our host on socials:Instagram⁠ TikTok⁠ Follow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠\TikTok - @founderdariespodcast  Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke, and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co, and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

Pricing might seem straightforward — but over time, I’ve learned that most of us underestimate how many things quietly eat into our margins.We price for the product.But we forget to price for the business. Your pricing should factor in: Your salary and compensation as a founder/directorGovernment compliance (taxes, licenses, statutory requirements)Rent and operational overheadsStaffing and laborSoftware, tools, and systems that keep everything running.If these aren’t built into your pricing structure, your profit is an illusion. And here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: pricing is emotional. For many founders, pricing feels deeply tied to self-worth. If you struggle with valuing yourself, charging higher prices can feel like you’re building a wall to push customers away. But that’s not what strong pricing does. Strong pricing creates sustainability.It allows you to serve well.It gives your business room to breathe. Here are signs your pricing likely needs adjusting: High revenue… but just as much money going out. Constantly tight cash flow. You can’t scale without feeling financially stretched.You’re overworked and underpaid.Revenue is vanity.Margin is sanity.Cash flow is survival.If your business is growing but you constantly feel pressure, the issue may not be effort — it may be"Profit is not extra - it's how the business stays alive." Find our host on socials:Instagram⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/yvonnekanyiTikTok⁠ - https://www.tiktok.com/@entrepreneurmamakeFollow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠\TikTok - @founderdariespodcast Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke, and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

I've been in business for many many years and I have one particular season where I truly thought about quitting. I sat down to figure out how to replace my income and actually got the ball rolling until I realized where the pain point truly was. What happens when you're faced with the end of the business you built from scratch?This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off. Find our host on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ Follow Founder Diaries on socials: ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: ⁠https://digitax.tech/⁠ | ⁠+254795279403

Hear the story of Liz Njuguna and how she started off with buying and flipping land at 19. She started off with one parcel being paid in installments of 20K a month which down the road was flipped into 700K pain in a lumpsum. Learn how her discipline and reinvesting grew that hustle into Risiih Investments. Five years down the road Risiih is working on putting more land into the hands of women and breaking down the barriers to women owning land. Find our guest on socials: Liz Njuguna Find our host on socials: Instagram, TikTok Follow Founder Diaries on socials: Instagram, TikTok Reach out to DigiTax to make your eTIMS compliance much easier: https://digitax.tech/ | +254795279403

Dreaming is dopamine and doing is discipline. It's not because you're lazy or lack of motivation. Thinking about your dream life of driving the car you'd want, the freedom of time you crave and dream travel destinations is VERY easy but different to when it comes to taking the action required to achieve that. There is a physiological reason to this - your nervous system is wired to avoid change and it's a survival mechanism. Listen to how this works and how to counter it to set the ball rolling for the dream life you want. Get some practical steps to beat how your body has been wired to achieve what you want. This podcast has been proudly sponsored by Beauty Square Ke and Sage Sknn. Visit and patronize at beautysquareke.co and use the code FOUNDER10 for some coins off.

At some point, every founder has to ask:Am I building a real business… or just surviving?In Minisode17, Yvonne shares the practical shifts that helped her stop running her business like a kiosk and started structuring it properly, from paying herself consistently, building systems, delegating intentionally, to planning financially and creating cash reserves.If you’re still in survival mode, this one is for you.

We’ve been sold the myth that businesses need to be revolutionary, AI-powered, or completely novel to succeed.In this minisode, we strip it back to the basics and unpack the 4 pillars of a good business — and why simple, needed, profitable ideas often win.If you’ve been overthinking your idea, this episode is for you.Let’s share about our partners, DigiTaxAs someone running a business, staying compliant shouldn’t be complicated…and that’s where DigiTax comes in.DigiTax is an eTIMS invoicing platform that helps you issue, receive and track all your tax invoices in one place, with ease.With DigiTax, you can:✅ Issue, receive, and track tax invoices in one place✅ Access via web or Android app — no technical skills needed✅ Get real-time tax reporting that syncs automatically with KRA✅ Enjoy reliable customer support for setup and complianceDigiTax makes eTIMS compliance simple, affordable and stress-free.📱 WhatsApp Support: 0112685368🌐 Website: digitax.tech