From a successful banker to a cosmetologist, Terry Mungai, the director of Ashleys Hair and Beauty Academy who also holds the license for the Miss World Franchise-Kenya says it has not been a smooth ride juggling between professional life and family. She spoke to HAROLD AYODO
have never let my professional life trespass into the family values that have made me succeed in business.
Terry at her office |
I resolved to put my family first more than 30 years ago as I chased my dream.
You see, I get home by 6.30pm and occasionally cook for my husband his favourite meal – chicken and chapati – before bonding with my 13-year-old last born daughter.
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As a wife, I feel appreciated when my husband enjoys my food and adds his fill – these are the little things that matter.
Appreciation from my husband and children are what inspire me to shed off clothes from work and wear an apron or wrap a lesso and head to the kitchen.
My attention has also been on the children since discipline goes a long way into shaping their future. I am glad that my son Bob, 33, is my co-director at Ashleys.
My joy is to see how responsible Bob, who is married, is. My other children are Brian, 17 and Shiro, 13.
Brian is a student in the UK while Shiro is in a private school in Nairobi.
As a person who was brought up by a single mother in Nakuru, I want the best for my children and encourage them to pursue their courses of choice in university.
strict mother
I was brought up by a strict mother and I have instilled the same in my children.
My husband and I demand good grades from them as we always keep tab on their performance.
I understand the importance of virtues in children who are a blessing and bring a smile on my face whenever I am down.
I started talking to my children when they were young and knew their friends early, which helped me keep tab of them – birds of a feather flock together.The children know that I punish indiscipline not through caning but limiting on their privileges like going out in the afternoons during vacations or weekends.
Raising children is a daunting task. I give family priority to my business, since professional life cannot be smooth if the home is in disarray.
The children may have grown today but I still insist on family bonding sessions when we go to Mombasa especially in April, August or December holidays.
We laugh a lot as a family but they also know I can be firm at times and respect me for that – there are boundaries that must not be crossed.
I love my husband a lot because he is a good father, always there for the children and me - offering advice, encouragement and motivation.
I count myself lucky, as my hubby is never threatened by my success in business as he has also grown in his real estate endeavours.
New branches
He was a diplomat for years but retired into property business where he doubles as my rock of strength as I intend to open Ashleys branches out of Nairobi.
I thank God for how far I have come since leaving home in Nakuru in search of greener pastures in Nairobi in 1984 when I was 25 years old.
| Terry Mungai attending to a client at the salon. Photo: Boniface Okendo/Standard |
My strong belief in God is what makes me go to church on Saturdays (SDA) and with the family on Sunday at the Nairobi Chapel.
Other women can also balance between family and their professional life but with care and caution. If your dream is to become a businesswoman, let your husband know early in marriage.
My spouse knew about my business endeavours early. I also brought the children on board by occasionally going with them to my premises to see what I do.
This helped them understand why I would get home late at times. For instance, President Kibaki was my client as the official leader of the opposition and currently Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
I am attached to Ashleys not only as my brainchild that opened in 1994, but because I named it after a daughter I desired to have.
Interestingly, I miraculously gave birth to my last-born – a daughter – 13 years ago and named her Ashley. She is the only baby in the house that makes me wake up early to ensure she has taken breakfast and see her off to school.
I make sure I spend time with her after school – between 6.30pm and 9.30pm when she retires to bed.
I also have to keep up with topical issues and therefore watch news and read a lot before retiring to bed by 11pm on weekdays.
However, life is not a bed of roses – I face challenges just like any other women who juggle between family and work.
