Her Purpose Driven Life

From hustler to the boardroom, Loise Mboo, 39 speaks about her first job as a supermarket attendant and running Adira, a network that supports people in corporate leadership.

- Andanje Wobanda

You are big on finding your purpose, why is that?

I believe we are all called to do something specific in this world. Purpose is that thing you have been called to do. Purpose for me is not a destination, it is a journey. I think we should all allow ourselves to go through processes that will help us identify our goals.

Did you always know your purpose?

No I didn’t. I wanted to study law. Mostly because I am a talker and I love debates. But I didn’t attain the required grade to join university as a government-sponsored student (I got a B minus) and my mom couldn’t afford to sponsor me. I therefore enrolled at Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) for a diploma in business management which I finished in 2001 and I joined Daystar University in 2003 and graduated with a degree in PR five years later.

You have an interesting work experience. You have worked for Uchumi supermarket, Equity Bank and Kenya Wildlife Services. How did you manage to get into all these sectors?

I got into Uchumi supermarket after I attained my diploma. I have always been a strong believer in being independent. So after college I saw an ad in the newspaper - Uchumi supermarket was hiring. I applied and got the job. I started off as a shelf stocker in the perishable section. The twelve-hour job always left me physically drained. I used to earn Ksh13,000 per month. I do believe the work taught me to hustle. By the time I left Uchumi, I was a manager.

As for Equity, I just called them one day and asked to speak to the CEO on a business-related matter. He called me a week later and agreed to a meeting.