Agnes Nonsizi is best known for her work as a television host on Kameme TV. What most people don’t know is that she is an also an artist manager; currently managing Kenya’s all-girl pop group The Band BeCa.
Agnes is also the co-founder of the Terazo New Media Company where she is head of Public Relations.
When she is not working, she is a wife and a mother. She shared her exciting and challenging journey with EveWoman:
How did you start out?
Getting here has been a journey of patience and resilience. I started by working for several PR firms, learning the ropes, making contacts and growing myself. By 2016, I had had enough and quit working for my last employer. Which is when Terazo was born. Terazo was my husband’s idea for a while. Being a former artist, he knew the issues that ailed the industry and why artistes were not able to make money. So creating this company was meant to offer solutions to artists in the industry.
What is a typical day for you in the workplace?
I usually don’t have a typical work day since I work on a project to project basis. But I always plan my day on the night before. I write down everything that needs to be done the very next day so I am able to internalize and hit the ground running. My day involves a lot of calling and nagging different contacts in order to get my client publicity and awareness. I also have to accompany my client throughout the media tour to guide them on how to handle themselves while on air. Advise on their image both physical and on their social media accounts. Meanwhile I am also actively scouting for new talent.
What are the issues that give you sleepless nights?
I do not want to die poor. I do not want my kids to suffer. So I stay awake trying to figure out how I can create and maintain wealth. I stay awake trying to figure out how I can grow the business.
How do you manage people and their different personalities?
Patience! Dealing with celebrities is a task. I have to deal with media personalities and music celebrities on a daily basis. It helps that I don’t take things to heart. I let most of the stuff slide and move on quickly. This has saved me a lot of heart ache and allowed me to work well with them. But patience remains the most important element.
How do you juggle a demanding business and motherhood?
I have a great support system. My husband has been my greatest support system. He takes care of our baby when I have to be away for early mornings or late nights or even when I have to travel. I also have a wonderful nanny who is great with baby and managing the house. This leaves me time to focus on work and business.
How is it working with your husband? Does work roll over to the home?
We both have our strengths and tend to concentrate on them. My husband is very good at administrative work while I, being very extroverted, focus on client business and the PR aspect. Both the business and our marriage are young so it takes a conscious effort to work on maintaining a balance between the two.
We have had to come up with structures that handle aspects such as how do we pay ourselves, who does what etc. It is a learning process.
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
Money keeps me motivated. Money makes me leave the warmth of my bed even when I don’t want to. I want to leave a legacy for my children. I want to be able to afford the things I want in life. I also have a passion for PR so it is easy for me to go over and above my call of duty.
If you had to start from scratch, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t change much since all I went through prepared me for who I am now. I am wiser and more capable due to my past experiences I would however drop the negative people in my life a lot faster. I think I let them hang on for too long when I should have let them go.
Describe one of your biggest accomplishment. What lesson did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
The Band Beca has so far been my biggest accomplishment. Seeing them on Coke Studio in 2017 after all the work we had done from scratch gave me so much joy.
Describe one of your biggest failures. What lesson did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
We once took on a project thinking it would become a big brand but it failed terribly. It was quite the disappointment at the time. But we learnt to carefully choose who we work with and what pit holes to avoid.
Do you have a mentor to guide you through this journey? Would you recommend that women get mentors?
I don’t have a mentor. I guess I wouldn’t even know where to begin in asking someone to mentor me. I am however realizing the value of a mentor and will start looking to get one.
In summary what are the five tips you would give women who have just started their entrepreneurship journey?
This is your dream, not other people’s dream. So ignore the naysayers and follow your dream.
Stay focused on your dream.
Do what you love
Respect the process. Success takes time, it is not an overnight process.
Know your worth
