Making Lemonade: Mike Makori, 31

MikeMakoriwears many hats; TV presenter, Influencer, MC, and an Entrepreneur. Charismatic, honest andlikeable, Mike displays a sense ofdeeprootedwit that perfectly encapsulates a natural charm. It is hard to imagine he had to overcome a speech impediment.

- Jackline Mukami

CA: What is your story?

MM: Mike is a Kenyan, born in Nairobi. I work in the media industry for six years now. TV has always been my passion. I broke my voice young. In class if the teacher asked me to read, I would get very shy and was made fun of. I never knew I had a gift until one teacher told me I had a very good voice and presence and should try TV in future. I started out in marketing for about one and half years, but then I realized it was not my thing. A friend suggested I try for the next big TV host online contest. I gave it a go and got shortlisted. I did not win the competition but it opened doors for me. KTN called me for a screen test for E-Curve. I got the job which I did for two years. Later on, I got into the Lotto Show which I have been hosting since then. I have been involved in a lot of influencer work and running a bar on the side. However, my roots are and will always be media.

CA: How is life on the screen?

MM: Life on TV has many sides to it. Most people think TV personalities are stuck up and all that. Yes, there are those. But at the end of the day I feel like it really depends on the kind of person you are within. Of course you are noticed by a lot of people. You even get better services. On the other hand, you actually have a chance to determine your income since there are very few on screen or even radio jobs demanding your full time commitment. You can do a lot on the side and earn as much as you want. It all depends with your hustle. It is also very tricky if you are looking to date. You have to get a partner who understands your lifestyle, who gets your hustle.

CA: Have you ever used your status to get any favors?