Transition Financing
Sitting on the edge of my rented and completely uncomfortable bed, I finally made the tortured yet suprisingly instantaneous decision that I had accomplished what I set out to do. After 3-4 months of a much loopier rollercoaster ride than what this whole experience used to be, and what felt like a very minor heart attack, and what felt like a split-second attempt to be robbed on the streets of Nairobi I closed my tired green eyes and asked myself if it was time.
I suppose most people who start businesses imagine future growth and excitement about the day to day operations but for me, much of this part has been excruciating. To know deep inside that I am not a business person per se, that I will always be looking for the exit sign, the opportunity to close my eyes and have all these worries go away. So for me this has been harder because my motives were always so different. All I really wanted was to put my idea to test that what Africa needs most in investment partners and now, they are coming in droves.
Finally the dilapidated railway system is getting a 6 Billion Shilling investment from the private sector arm of the World Bank as long as the Germans come to build it. If Germans can't get this old tired maze of steel up and running I don't know who could. Rift Valley Railways - light rapid transit to see the future of Kenya whizzing by through a clean window with a cold drink.
When I made that decision there was very little to do but get out of the way and see if the past 2.5 years were worth it. Everyone was shocked. One felt abandoned. Another confused which I sat and listened to and understood but underneath I was smiling. They don't need me anymore and they are the last ones to know this. They have everything they need.
Ever since I had said I wasn't going to pay salaries anymore things changed in the studio. The conversations were faster and angrier and things were being talked about in much more crucial ways than ever before. And after telling them I was returning to Canada even more so, I think the whole team was at work by 9am. So even though is it awkward and terrifying for them I know in my heart it's the right thing to do. They are becoming their own business and I am helping to cut them free from mine.
more later
I suppose most people who start businesses imagine future growth and excitement about the day to day operations but for me, much of this part has been excruciating. To know deep inside that I am not a business person per se, that I will always be looking for the exit sign, the opportunity to close my eyes and have all these worries go away. So for me this has been harder because my motives were always so different. All I really wanted was to put my idea to test that what Africa needs most in investment partners and now, they are coming in droves.
Finally the dilapidated railway system is getting a 6 Billion Shilling investment from the private sector arm of the World Bank as long as the Germans come to build it. If Germans can't get this old tired maze of steel up and running I don't know who could. Rift Valley Railways - light rapid transit to see the future of Kenya whizzing by through a clean window with a cold drink.
When I made that decision there was very little to do but get out of the way and see if the past 2.5 years were worth it. Everyone was shocked. One felt abandoned. Another confused which I sat and listened to and understood but underneath I was smiling. They don't need me anymore and they are the last ones to know this. They have everything they need.
Ever since I had said I wasn't going to pay salaries anymore things changed in the studio. The conversations were faster and angrier and things were being talked about in much more crucial ways than ever before. And after telling them I was returning to Canada even more so, I think the whole team was at work by 9am. So even though is it awkward and terrifying for them I know in my heart it's the right thing to do. They are becoming their own business and I am helping to cut them free from mine.
more later
posted by Sue Stanfield at 3:43 AM
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