Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Quinter Ochieng, Founder of TUSC Concepts, located in Nairobi, Westlands, Kenya.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
TUSC Concepts is an educational entertainment company that facilitates universal communication through visual arts in terms of graffiti and performance art in solving SRHR & Social Economic issues of society. Our beneficiaries are the talented youth in the informal and marginal areas and our customer base are NGOs, public and private institutions and the government of Kenya. We are currently working with the leading telecommunication company in Kenya for Branding through the installation of Murals.
Tell us about yourself
Having been raised in the rural and having gotten my way to the city because of school, I put my education into practice which was producing documentary series dubbed "Growth of an African Child". It was during this moment that I realized the gap that existed in terms of talent support and nurturing, education as well as knowledgeable information on the value of talent in African communities.
I returned to the city and that was just the beginning of our Journey in setting up an art school. Thereafter, I partnered with well-established artists to set up an art center supporting 15 artists and providing them with the right resources, organizing boot comps workshops and small events to enable them to tap into available market opportunities, and that is how we set up our foundation not long after that we pitched and we were approved for bigger and better installations. Now what keeps me motivated is seeing the social impact of our services- disrupting the narratives of talented youth and adding value to their life exponentially.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
With no initial knowledge of business operations, I managed to bring together a team that is well driven, goal oriented as well as committed to getting this done. By the end of 2021, I received the Founder of the Year Africa (FOYA ) award reminding us of the impact of supporting the youth. Closing 2022 with a major grant win that will facilitate our expansion and sustainability is my biggest flex and I can't wait to set up a bigger center that supports up to 150 artists across the country. Kicking off the ART FOR CHANGE edition 1 campaign had its ups and downs, but it was successful.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
In the beginning, it was tough hiring new and committed talent and getting them to understand the bigger picture. One major challenge is that African countries, specifically Kenya, are still opening up to learning and understanding the value of art and talent as that matches or goes beyond white collar jobs changing these already constructed ways of life takes time to sink in especially in the margins.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be ready and open minded to learn and unlearn. Be intentional. Be smart while at it. Network is a major factor. Go out there, travel, meet people, learn new approaches in your industry, challenge yourself, and above all, be consistent.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://tuscconcepts.co.ke/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuscconcepts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_c.h.i.k.a.__/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/queen_chikah
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinter-ochieng-6b7998159/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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