Running is Eran’s passion

What you need to know:

Eran Feinstein, Age 44

  • Current: Managing Director, 3G Direct Pay Limited
    2006-2010 CEO and Founder, Enoyaone LTD
    2005-2006 GM, Websense Technologies
    2005 VP, Professional services, Formula Travel Solutions
    2001-2005 Manager, Information Technologies, Israir Airlines
    1999-2005 Airliner captain, Israir Ltd
  • Education
    2005-2006 MBA (Marketing), The Interdisciplinary Centre
    1998-2001 BSc (Computer Science), IDC Herzliya

If only you could get a penny for every time you met someone who came to Kenya and fell head over heels in love with the country!

Eran, an Israeli, knows something about that love. Born in Israel and having served as a pilot and flight instructor in the army, Eran, an e-commerce specialist, came to Kenya while working on an airline project when he realised that Kenya was his “destiny”. So he remained behind and started his company. It’s been nine years.

His company fills the online gap between providers and consumers by providing an open credit card processing platform mainly focused on the travel industry. They have expanded rapidly and have opened offices in seven countries in eastern Africa and around the region.

We meet for breakfast at Urban Coffee café along Lenana Road. What immediately stands out about him - apart from his enthusiasm for online payment - is his charming Jewish accent.

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So what exactly made you want to relocate to Kenya?

You know, I came here and realised that this was my destiny. And it took only a few weeks to make me realise what I wanted to do. I mean, apart from the fact that that time there was an obvious lack of freedom in the online payment industry. I just loved the spirit of the people here.

Are the lessons you learnt in the Israeli military useful in doing business?

Yes. Ideals like friendship and trust. If you can’t trust your soldiers, you are dead. Same with work place, your employees should be able to trust you, and you them. There is friendship and professionalism; as a soldier, you are dead without these.

Your jet is not well serviced; it will fail you in the hour of need. At work, you have tools that you not only need to learn to utilise properly but also take good care of.

As an Israeli, have you had to adjust certain work ethics to fit into the business environment here?

(Laughs) We come from two very different cultures, I can tell you. But the similarity in both business cultures is that most Kenyans know how to work, they are not lazy, they are eager to do their best and get ahead.

However, what I have had to adjust is to learn to be patient. In Israel, there is no pole pole, things are fast. Here I have had to slow down and do things at a pace. I always say if you want to move fast, reduce your speed – that’s our slogan in the office.

What’s the one skill as a pilot you have found vital in business?

Checklist. We had that in the army, where you had to go through a checklist procedure to conduct a task. It helps quite a lot in running a business. Procedure! I see each of my employees as an individual pilot responsible for their own vessel.

What is your greatest fear?

I hope that my kids (aged 9, 6 and 4) live in a better world than what we have now. I hope the next generation have something better, fewer wars.

How do you let your hair down – or what’s left of it?

(Laughs) When I need to relax, I run. I do marathons annually; Lewa and Nairobi marathons. I mean it’s always so much fun to run next to the world champions, you know! (Laughs) My daughter always thinks I’m ahead of these guys, not knowing I’m always leading from behind. (Chuckles).

Running for me is key. I run four times a week, I know most of Nairobi from my runs; Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani…last year, I finished Lewa and same day I went and started climbing Mount Kenya.

Why would you do that?

Off the record? Stupid? (Laughs) But no, this country is amazing. I have been to many places around the world but to be out of Nairobi, to see nature is unbelievable. Mount Kenya region is truly amazing. I like to feel the country with my feet. It’s the only way to explore.

What are your best marathon times? Do you do half or full?

Come on, I’m a half-person (Chuckle). You should see me standing my full height…which is now. (Laughs). Anyway, my best time is probably 1:47. I run without music, it empties everything in my mind; I like my mind crystal and crisp. Some of the best ideas I have had have come while I’m running.

Are you currently reading a book?

Yes, I just finished John Le Carre’s Delicate Truth. I’m crazy about him. I’m also crazy about gadgets and technology. I recently bought this extraordinary smartphone from the States – OnePlusOne, a revolutionary phone from China.

To get it, you have to be “invited” to a group by someone already in, a brilliant marketing strategy. It’s truly revolutionary, their features and attention to detail.

So it’s only you who has it in Kenya?

Yes! Yes!...OK, and my wife. (Laughs).

What’s on you Bucket List?

Personal side? I want to do triathlons. I did it in Israel once but I would like to do it more.

Who is the one person you would like to have dinner with, dead or alive. And please don’t say Mandela for Chrissake!

(Laughs) John Le Carre. I have been reading his books since I was 16. I have read all his books.

What’s the one question you would ask him?

Why?

Why?

Yes, why does he write? You should read his books. They are different. They are not about spy gadgets or machines or such level of fiction. They are about people, human nature. It’s fascinating how he brings out human nature in a way we can relate to.

Your wedding ring is on the right hand. Is that significant?

Uhm, no, (thinks). I don’t know. It’s just one of those things.

At 44, what are you currently struggling with?

Lack of time to do everything. Kids, work, running. It’s about juggling all these and finding the right balance. Weekends I run two hours, long ones.

Are you happy?

We are happy as a company. We are a happy company. We are believers. And yes, I’m happy as a person; I get my happiness from family, work and running.

Is your wife also crazy about running?

She is a zumba instructor, you should see her! She used to be a dental hygienist in Israel but here she does zumba and takes care of our home and the kids and most of the time she works much much harder than I do.

She takes on more responsibility, and I appreciate it. Please note that this is on the record, (chuckling). Please make sure that she sees that sentence…(Laughs loudly).

I promise to write that part in bold letters. Do you miss home?

Yes, but Kenya is lovely! Look, it’s a beautiful place. My parents visited recently and they simply love this place, I mean you can put my mom in the middle of the savannah and that’s it for her! (Laughs). No, I’m serious, she won’t need anything else out there, she will be just fine.

My wife loves this place, I mean she took my mother to this school in Kibera where she volunteers and they had an amazing time out there with those kids. But of course, I miss some of my friends back home.

The other day [Charlie Hebdo saga] your government called on all Israelis all over the world that you are welcome to go back home. Will you go back?

My government should let me stay away for more years, (Laughs). I served in the army, I did so much for my country and I will always love it as home. But for now, I’m here.

How was serving in the army?

I have no regrets at all, but you know what, I wish tomorrow all armies would disappear from the world like that! (Snaps finger). At the end of the day, I don’t believe in armies.

I learnt so much in the army and I’m not naïve, but I think the world would be a better place without armies. We can fight doing business, but no killing, no crazy things. Come on, we need to take armies to a different level, not ones that involve killing.

This article was first published in the Business Daily.