Other than being a business coach and former host of the Late Night Business show, who is Ian?
I tend to define myself more by my purpose and giftings than by my titles. At my core, I believe I am called to create, teach and guide. I love taking ideas and turning them into something tangible through building businesses, developing brands, creating content and telling stories.
I also enjoy teaching through training, public speaking and authorship, and guiding people through coaching and mentorship. I am someone who is constantly learning, building and helping others do the same.
Where and what did you study?
I studied Bachelor of Commerce at Strathmore University, where I developed a strong foundation in business, entrepreneurship, management and commerce. Later, I pursued a Master’s degree in Digital Journalism at Aga Khan University.
The two disciplines brought together my biggest interests. Business taught me how to build and manage organisations, while journalism taught me how to tell stories and communicate ideas.
What was your favourite and worst unit?
I enjoyed almost everything business-related. I was naturally drawn to subjects that helped me understand how businesses work, how organisations are managed and how value is created. Statistics, however, was probably my least favourite.
How was campus life generally?
It was an important season of self-discovery and played a significant role in shaping who I am today. Strathmore gave me an excellent environment to explore who I was and who I could become. It was not just about the classroom. Clubs, facilities, competitions, events, friendships and networks exposed me to different people, ideas and opportunities. I was able to experiment, make mistakes and discover my interests.
How did you make money while on campus?
My first business involved selling tshambalas, jewellery and branded T-shirts. Tshambalas were fashionable at the time, so I saw an opportunity and started selling them to fellow students. It was not a sophisticated business, but it taught me important lessons about entrepreneurship. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to realise that I could create value and make money from an idea.
How was dating on campus?
Definitely a learning curve. Mine did not quite work out, but the experience taught me a lot about relationships and, more importantly, myself.
What do you think of campus relationships?
They can be beautiful. There is excitement, fun, friendship and discovery, and those experiences are important during that season of life. However, there is also a lot of naivety because most people are still discovering themselves.
You may think you know exactly what you want, only to discover a few years later that your priorities, values and ambitions have changed. I would advise young people not to rush major life decisions simply because they are in love. I would not advise getting married or having a child before 25, because you are still learning so much about yourself and life. Thankfully, I escaped that particular trap unscratched!
Where did you hang out on weekends?
They were quite active. I had events or expeditions almost every weekend and was intentional about exploring different places, meeting people and having fun.
What did you do with your free time?
I spent much of my free time learning about media and experimenting with business ideas. I was fascinated by media and wanted to understand how content was created, distributed and monetised.
Which classmates will you never forget?
One person who stands out is Tim. He opened my eyes to the possibilities of entrepreneurship. In First Year, he had already sold a business for almost Sh1 million and was running several others. It challenged the idea that you had to wait until you were older or had graduated before becoming successful.
What led you to business coaching?
My journey into coaching grew naturally from my interest in teaching and training. I realised that teaching alone does not always solve a person’s problem. Sometimes people do not need someone to give them the answer. They need to be asked the right questions, their thinking challenged, helped to see things differently and guided towards finding their own solution.
What common mistakes do entrepreneurs make?
One mistake is becoming overconfident about an untested idea. Having a good idea is not the same as having a good business. The market ultimately decides whether an idea has value. Entrepreneurs also try to raise money too early, asking investors to finance experiments they should first test themselves. Others leave employment before proving their business can sustain them. Finally, entrepreneurs can benefit from experimenting with different businesses and models rather than focusing on one too soon.
How can entrepreneurs survive an ever-changing market?
Keep your costs as low as reasonably possible while achieving the best possible output. Avoid rushing to expand. Markets change quickly. I often tell entrepreneurs to be careful about riding the tide because the tide can be deceptive. Instead, build resilience while things are going well.
What opportunities do you see in the market?
I see significant opportunities around experiences and essentials. Consumers increasingly want unique experiences that entertain them, create memories or connect them with others. At the same time, the economy is forcing people to prioritise essentials. That creates opportunities for businesses that provide basic needs affordably, conveniently and efficiently.
You are also an author. How many books have you published?
I have just released my third book, Quality Decisions. It explores a framework I created called the Decision Loop, which helps people understand how decisions are made, why we sometimes make poor decisions and how we can improve them. My first book was Business Conquest, followed by Food for Thought.
What should young people do differently to succeed today?
Become more comfortable with experimentation. The traditional idea that you study, get one job and stay on one career path for decades is becoming less relevant. Develop multiple skills, understand technology, build networks and create value.
One last thing you would tell your campus self?
I would tell myself: “You did well.” You did not have everything figured out, you made mistakes, but you were laying the right foundation for the life you wanted. I would tell myself not to be anxious about having everything figured out. Keep exploring, keep learning, keep taking risks and trust the process.