The first quote that defines Wanjiku’s life is the price of ambition. Wanjiku knows all about this. She is a CEO at 28, an aerospace engineer, and a scientist-astronaut candidate graduate at Project Possum. Balancing work, school, and leading a company while simultaneously seeking capital are currently her biggest challenges. “I have a project for Africa, and unfortunately, that’s a conversation stopper for some venture capitalists and private equity firms I’ve spoken to who cite the poor reputation of investment projects done in Africa.”
If I were to reduce Wanjiku to words, three would do: appetite, application, and ambition. This is how she shifted from being an employee to running a business. Leadership, she says, has tested her perseverance in pursuit of her goals. She has had to cultivate dedication, patience, and strategic planning. “Each day or week is never the same; that is the unpredictability factor when you’re working towards greatness.”
Despite her success at a young age, she preaches caution. “I stopped setting any hard deadlines or milestones after I graduated high school. I knew by then that I didn’t want a normal existence on this planet. Nothing wrong if that is what someone else desires, it’s just not for me. I don’t set any societal expectations for myself.”
So, what advice does she think people and women especially should ignore? “That it’s either/or when it comes to pursuing a successful career and a fulfilling personal life. Both are completely achievable; they are not mutually exclusive. Everyone’s life journey is unique. Allow yourself the flexibility to adapt and reassess your goals and how you achieve them,” she says.
"If you’re good at something, never do it for free."
Wanjiku is not leaving anything to chance, even if it means aligning the stars herself and challenging the cosmos while cashing in. If you don’t believe her, then she has one final quote for you: “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”
– By Eddy Ashioya
