Ex-NSSF staff sets up thriving venture in communication

When Beatrice Wababu resigned from her job at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) two years ago to venture into self-employment, she embarked on a journey full of hurdles but which she was deeply passionate about.

‘‘At the time I was working in the public relations department. I felt that time was ripe to make my dreams come true and rediscover myself. My idea was to test the waters in entrepreneurship and I knew this would come with immense challenges,’’ said Ms Wababu, the founder of Wabcom Ventures.

The company specialises in training, communication, public relations and management consultancy.

In an interview with the Business Daily at her office in Westlands, Nairobi, Mrs Wababu recalled her journey to recognition and how she defied odds including going back to employment.

‘‘After resigning from NSSF I had convinced myself that I was not going back to formal employment. But I found myself back, this time with Africa Nazarene University. I resigned again after three weeks,’’ said the 42-year-old mother of five.

Deep in her heart she knew she had unexploited potential, she said.

‘‘I opted to resign because I felt that delaying further to implement  my business idea meant remaining in formal employment for long and I didn’t want this to be the case,’’ she said.

Her first opportunity was training Tuskys Supermarket staff. ‘‘I was in the process of making valuable contacts and preparing for setting up the consultancy,” she said.

Ms Wababu recalled how Wabcom Ventures kicked off on a low key with only two employees and Sh800,000 seed capital.

‘‘I started by hiring consultants whenever a business opportunity came up, which was challenging,’’ she said.

Another challenge was companies not responding her proposals.

She overcame this by convincing clients to offer her opportunities and pay only when satisfied with her work.

Today the business has grown to employs over 15 staff.

‘‘We have six in-house consultants and nine trainers. We also work with other consultants as need arises,” said Ms Wababu.

Consultants intending  to work with Wabcom Ventures  must have a Master’s  degree in either  communication or business and leadership.

Have passion

‘‘If  you want to excel in any field you must invest in quality. This is the differentiating factor at Wabcom Ventures,” she said.

One can be whatever they want to be as long as they have passion, she said. Today, Wabcom boasts of about 14 corporates which the firm works with, among them Tuskys Supermarkets, Airtel, and Property Reality Company.

Fear of failure and funding are some of the key challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the country, she said.

Her biggest achievement has been giving young talent a chance to prove themselves. ‘

‘We have started a policy where we give fresh graduates a platform to learn basics of managing business and offer opportunities to the best candidates. The idea is to create a solution in a world where employment  has become a key challenge,’’ said Mrs Wababu.

‘‘We are doing well and I cannot complain. Having good money should not be used as a platform to define how successful one is, but it should be a lesson to upcoming entrepreneurs who have no idea on where to start. It should be morally right to share with them the journey to success and how they can also make it,’’ said Mrs Wababu.

She loves reading motivational books among them Joel Osteen’s Become a Better You.

Her long term strategy is to enter the East African market  and create networks that will  help the company grow.