In the business of events

Claris Ndolo worked as an IT analyst and consultant in the UK before she quit to pursue her passion in events planning. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • The IT industry in the UK was flourishing, challenging and well-established. I enjoyed my work and I was making a pretty tidy sum while at it. But it wasn’t enough for me; I wanted to be back home, to start a family. So in October 2008, I cut my career short and returned to Kenya.
  • As a hobby, I planned small events like birthday and graduation parties for my family and friends. These events all turned out a success; so much so that the people I planned them for urged me to take it up on a professional basis.

“I was an IT geek for six years before I washed my hands off the industry to get into events planning.

I was passionate about computers, and from an early age I knew computers would be the future of business.

In September 2003, I went to the UK to pursue my undergraduate degree at the University of Brunel, majoring in IT and business.

“During my senior year, I interned as a systems analyst and consultant in a company that took me on as a permanent employee after I graduated in July 2007. 

The IT industry in the UK was flourishing, challenging and well-established. I enjoyed my work and I was making a pretty tidy sum while at it. But it wasn’t enough for me; I wanted to be back home, to start a family. So in October 2008, I cut my career short and returned to Kenya.

“I had my son Darrell in December 2008. But I didn’t have the same success in my career: the IT industry here at home wasn’t what it was in the UK; it was still growing. 

My experience meant that I got several job offers, but none of them presented a satisfactory pay package, so I turned them all down knowing I deserved better.

HOBBY TURNED BUSINESS

“With the extra time on my hands, I opened a boutique, then a salon. And as a hobby, I planned small events like birthday and graduation parties for my family and friends. These events all turned out a success; so much so that the people I planned them for urged me to take it up on a professional basis.

They argued that my personality didn’t fit in IT.  After months of thought and consultation, I did.

“In November 2009, two friends and I started our events planning company, Chique Eventz. One of my partners had a background in events planning. The other had studied international relations.

Chique Eventz took off and in the next six months business was good. But the partnership started to show cracks, because of personality clashes and wavering commitment levels. We couldn’t agree on what we each wanted from the business – as individuals and as entrepreneurs – so we couldn’t grow the business together.

After one year, we had to be honest with ourselves and decide how best to handle these cracks. Chique Eventz being my brainchild, my partners asked me to choose who it was I wanted to continue the business with. I opted to buy them both out and let them go.

Late in November 2010, I became the sole owner of Chique Eventz, but running the business alone came with its own challenges.

“The first challenge was financing. The partnership had run on the pooled resources of all three partners. I had used my savings from the UK as capital. Buying fully into the business depleted whatever I had made thus far and any savings I had left.

My family came to my rescue, cushioning me with their financial and moral support. I needed this to find my footing.

And since then, I have relied on bank loans to keep me afloat. In the events business you constantly need capital to upgrade your equipment. 

LEARNING ON THE JOB

“I have learnt two important lessons: One, why use your own money to finance your business when there are creditors who are ready and willing to lend you the money? Borrow.

Second, it doesn’t take too long for you to get a return on your investment in this business. With proper guidance and drive, you can take huge leaps of calculated risk and still land on your feet.

“Sourcing for clients was also challenging. In the partnership, we had spread this task amongst ourselves. Going solo meant it fell squarely on my laps. On a typical workweek, I spend five days in four to six meetings daily sourcing for new business. There are some events I had to work at no charge to get my name out there; it’s another constant in this business, but it has paid off because I get my clients from referrals.

“Another challenge is that some clients don’t understand that things can go wrong. Managing such clients calls for plenty of patience. As a planner, it is easy to succumb to the pressure of an event. Experience has taught me to be patient in order to balance the two.

“I absolutely love what I do. What defines this business – taking risks, the pressure of deadlines, the creativity of the concepts, fixing things when they go wrong, the appreciation of a client satisfied with your services – are the things that drive me to work every single morning.”