Unafraid of new things

LINA MARIE DYUR, 28, was among the contestants in Magnate Competition, the first ever Kenyan apprentice. She shares her life experience with SHIRLEY GENGA

What do you do?

I own a company called Firestorm. It specialises in communication strategy. With my background in computing and marketing together with my work experience, it all makes my company work.

What does your company do?

I work as a consultant to help small and medium entrepreneurs brand and communicate better with their clients. We design logos, communication material, websites, posters and organise events.

What did you study in school?

Immediately after finishing high school I joined Strathmore. I did a diploma in IT and topped it off with a degree at the University of Sunderland. Afterwards, I was called to University of Nairobi to study Bachelor of Commerce but a year into the programme; I decided to do a Masters in Marketing at USIU.

LINA MARIE DYUR

What is your work experience?

Immediately after clearing high school, I worked in East FM in the sales department. In 2005, I joined KTN and later worked in Standard online and newspaper before branching into branding in 2010. I worked for the branding agency called Atom. Then I got the chance to work in Afdem (The African Civilian Response Capacity for Peace Support Operations) in Zimbabwe as the IT and communication Liaison. I got to travel all over Africa.

Was it hard to branch out on your own?

My contract at Afdem depended on donor funding and when funding ended, we had to close down, so in 2011 I found myself home with no job. I had registered my business back in 2009 when I was still in employment. I then decided to go it alone.

Is it important to go to school to do what you do?