WEEK'S PERSONALITY: No luxury in entrepreneurship

Buyrent Kenya CEO Jamie Pujara with his a trophy during the Top 40 under 40 men gala night at the Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi on May 15, 2015. PHOTO| SALATON NJAU

What you need to know:

  • I entered this business not really understanding what I was doing and he was always willing to listen to my concerns and challenges and offer advice when he felt it would help me.

  • When OAM bought a minority of our buyrentkenya, it also gave me the opportunity to work more closely with him for a few months before his death and I learned a lot about leadership from him.

I had just come back home having spent 12 years in the UK, Japan and New York that I realised how hard it is to find property for buying or renting. I saw a clear gap in the market and I seized it, setting up a real estate portal.

I completed my childhood education all the way up to A-levels here in Nairobi. I hold a degree from the University of Warwick, Warwick Business School in the UK. I lived and worked in Japan after that and then spent some time studying filmmaking in New York.

Since the company started, we have gotten over 200 agents lists with us and have helped over 4,000 people find new homes. My greatest achievement though has to be the fact that we have helped bring some transparency in the property market.

 

The Five Questions

1 What is the most interesting or the best part of being an entrepreneur?

The most interesting part is that we live in a world where technology is changing extremely quickly, and boundaries are becoming less significant. It has created many more opportunities for entrepreneurs to be involved in solving other people’s problems. The other part is being fully in control of shaping your company’s future.

 

A screenshot of buyrentkenya.com

2 If you were given a second chance, what would you do differently?

I would have liked to have become serious about business earlier. I spent my twenties being more interested in travelling and having a good time. I often look back and feel I passed on many opportunities, both in terms of experience and in learning that I should have taken and tried to be successful as soon as possible.

 

3 Who is your mentor?

At a local level, the late Carey Eaton, the founder of One Africa Media, which owns the Cheki and Brighter Monday sites in Kenya. He contributed to a big part of my success in buyrentkenya.com.

I entered this business not really understanding what I was doing and he was always willing to listen to my concerns and challenges and offer advice when he felt it would help me.

When OAM bought a minority of our buyrentkenya, it also gave me the opportunity to work more closely with him for a few months before his death and I learned a lot about leadership from him.

 

4 What is the biggest misconception that people have about running a business?

I would imagine people probably underestimate how time consuming and stressful it can be. As a business owner, the work is never complete, there are always things that keep you up at night and it’s most likely you never switch off. In a regular nine to five job, you can leave the office and switch off. As a business owner, you never get that luxury; there’s always something work-related running through your mind.

 

5 Any hidden talents?

I wouldn’t say it’s a talent, but when I was living in Japan I became addicted to Karaoke!

 

MY SUCCESS SECRETS

1 There is no substitute for perseverance and hard work.

2 I try to wake up and sleep early.

3 I don’t take things too seriously.

4 I use lists when things overwhelm me.

5 Every so often, I take a step back to get a clearer perspective on what is happening.