Try your hand at business in the first year of college

Moranga Innocent, Public Relations expert, entrepreneur and founder of The Founder.

Moranga Innocent is a Public Relations Expert, an entrepreneur and founder of The Founder - a multilevel company whose mission is to help bridge the gap between the number of jobs created and graduates who enter the job market yearly by helping them start, run and grow their businesses. 

What is your alma mater?

I studied public relations at Daystar University because of its reputation as a great communications institution.

What inspired your course choice?

I have always been intrigued about human connections and interactions and that is why I took the course. Since I was young, I never aspired to be employed, preferring to start my own business and be my own boss.

That’s what I did and during my second year in campus, I started The Founder — a multi-level platform for entrepreneurs of the digital age.

What units did you enjoy the most and the least?

I enjoyed public speaking as it empowered me to be bold and communicate well in front of people. Comparative world religions, for some reason I cannot place, did not sit well with me. 

Favourite lecturer

My favourite lecturer was Winnie Mbatha because she really understood her students and knew how to connect and equip them. I learnt valuable values and skills from her that are helping me right now.

Where did you hang out after class?

I am an outdoorsy person who enjoys camping, cycling, hiking and swimming.  Any of these activities will have my time any day.

I also love my own company so you’ll find me spending a lot of time alone just thinking. I also enjoy time in the office because I enjoy what I do.

Did you miss classes?

I skipped class only when I had to. Most of the time it happened when I had an important meeting that I needed to attend to. Discovering my purpose helped me make that decision faster.

How did you manage your finances in campus?

I was able to sustain myself with the earnings from my venture and help from my parents.

How did you handle stress in campus?

By always focusing on the big picture and why I was there in first place. This helped me block out the challenges.

Advice to campus students

It always begins with an idea, find yourself earlier and start building your idea while in school. If 50 per cent of university students started a business while in first year, by the time they graduate they would have created more than enough jobs for the remaining half.

[email protected]