As I look back at the journey I have traveled, more particularly over the last 18 – 24 months, one thing is very clear. There has been a tribe of fierce & fearless women who have mentored & inspired me, holding me accountable to the goals that I have set.

I have learned that having a mentor is not a sign of weakness; rather – it shows you are smart enough and are driven enough to succeed. The reality is that the entrepreneurship journey is a tough one – a good mentor is a necessity!

Why you might ask? Mentors believe in you – they have faith in you & push to be better. They also encourage you to keep moving when things get tough. Mentors are honest with you – they give out doses of ‘tough love’ & tell you to stop whining when it is necessary! Mentors open up their networks & link you up with people who will help you succeed & achieve your goals. Ultimately a good mentor helps you towards your vision by helping you align your actions with your goals.

So let me tell you a little about this fierce and fearless tribe of sisters who have shaped my journey over the last couple of years.

I met Frida Owinga, Founder of PassionProfit, and most recent past President of OWIT Nairobi at an OWIT Nairobi breakfast meeting. I had been looking for a Business Membership Organisation that I could plug into. I had been running my business for about 4 years at that point, but until then it was a ‘hobby’ – something I did in my spare time. That year, I had decided it was time to get serious about building an empire so I was intentionally looking for a safe space that would support my vision. Not only did I find that safe space, but I met a powerhouse who has taught me a lot about leadership, pushing me out of my comfort zone, enabling me to be more than I thought I could.

Frida is a Business Growth Mentoring Coach. She is the Founder of Passion Profit, an organisation that provides small and growing business the skills and tools to create, manage and grow successful world class organizations so that they can create jobs and reduce poverty.

Working with Frida on the board of OWIT Nairobi stretched me BEYOND my limits. When I thought I couldn’t do any more, she showed me that I could! We no longer serve on the board together but the lessons I learned under her tutelage have held me in good stead as I have taken over the leadership of the chapter.

After a few months of playing phone tag, we connected & I asked her a couple of questions about her leadership journey.

Frida, my blog is primarily about my leadership journey & the lessons that I am learning.

What would you say is your no. 1 leadership lesson?

BE AGILE… write your vision in ink and strategy in pencil.

How important are mentors to the leadership journey?

If you want to grow quickly with as few mistakes as possible, GET A MENTOR & A COACH!

Male or female mentors – or both?

God created MEN and WOMEN because both were necessary to make this WORLD an amazing place. When finding mentors, find both

Last question – boots or high heels? Which one is truly YOU?

High Heels!

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

* Proverbs 27:17

Thank you Frida Owinga, you have truly sharpened me!

With love,

The Queen of Hearts

Mucha Mlingo

| Six Seconds EQ Practitioner | Master Trainer & Facilitator | Award Winning International Keynote Speaker |