How would you describe yourself? I would describe myself as a visual creative who explores digital concepts and old-school mediums to communicate.

You are a multi-talented creative, what exactly do you do? I do graphic design, which entails a lot of digital work from designing documents such as reports to branding a company’s logos, website layouts, banners and stationery just to mention a few. I also do calligraphy and hand lettering. Creation of beautiful type, both manually using a pen and a pencil as well as digitally. Photography is also another field of creativity that I engage in. I like conceptual photography that involves a lot of photo manipulation here and there. That's more my style though and I also do portraits and a bit of product photography. Currently, I am also trying my hand at videography. Self-teaching myself as I work on projects as well as client work.

Tell us about yourself I am Monica Oyugi, a software developer, speaker, and digital marketer. I recently graduated from Moringa school as a full-stack web developer which has helped me utilize my diverse background to build web applications and grow my career towards an IT Consultant. I have worked for several companies in the last 5 years as a web developer and Project Officer role for Vecna cares, GoDown arts centre, international solutions among others.

Photo c/o Monica Oyugi

 DJ Sail is a professional DJ, events organizer, sound engineer, events MC and hype man and graphic designer. Sail started off in 2017 playing in clubs and organizing events, before investing in equipment in late 2018 and setting up an events company (NextCity Events). He later transitioned to doing private events.

Photo c/o DJ Sail

So when we went for the long holidays I had an internship, from where I managed to save about Kes 60,000, then borrowed another Kes 40,000 from a friend (which I didn't even have an idea on how I was going to pay back but I believed I would). I used the Kes 100,000 to buy my first DJ gear, a Pioneer Serato DDJ-SX.

I used it to train on how to DJ (using YouTube tutorials). From there I met a guy called DJ Amm in 2015, they had this show every Thursday at Ufungamano House called Campus Trend, he was their official Dj and was looking for DJ gear to hire.

We came to an agreement that had them hire my DJ gear every Thursday at Kes 1,500.  That's when I realized that apart from just training myself, I could hire the gear too and make some money, and that's how I managed to pay the Kes 40,000 I had borrowed.  I then decided to put in more effort towards the art, getting gigs, saving and reinvesting, till today.

Describe the feeling you had the first time you played a DJ set and planned your first event
I was nervous. The first DJ set you play you don't know how people are going to react to your playlist, but with time you get to master the art.

Planning my first event, you put in a lot of work in marketing but you don't even know if people are going to show up.  It's like a gamble but it's part of the process.

Who/what inspired you while growing up?
Growing up, I remember my mom listening to the likes of Mbilia Bel and just a lot of music. I never thought I would end up in the industry because I wanted to be a pilot. When that backfired, I ended up here where I am today.

I also remember looking for radios and removing the speakers, building carton cases and listening to the effect that would have on the sound output and it was an exciting experience.

I think all these contributed to who I am today.

You studied BSc Electrical and Electronics Engineering, then you decided to follow your passion for deejaying and events. How was that transition?
When I realized I could make money deejaying at the small gigs I got back then plus hiring the gear for some extra cash, I saw an opportunity. I decided to quit school when it became so difficult to balance between my engineering course which was so demanding and deejaying. I had to sacrifice one and followed my passion.

How do you switch between the many titles that you have and how do you find a balance to make sure all are successful?
They actually complement each other. When deejaying, you need good sound which then makes it important for you to know how to do it. You DJ at events, and to get more control of your sets, you need to learn how to use the microphone.

Coming to graphic design I had to learn that from the frustrations of paying someone to do you a poster then they'd take like 3 days before they deliver yet I was working under timelines. 

Then to photography, every event or party needs a photographer to capture the moments. 

All of them work together.

Tell us more about your company, NextCity Events and the different professional services you offer
NextCity Events provides professional and quality events solutions to our clients for their parties, from professional DJ services, DJ equipment, sound and PA System, lights screens, and stage, events planning and decor, graphic design, and soon, photography and Videography.

We also have a DJ school.

The entertainment industry has evolved over the years and continues to. What’s the future for you and the industry especially now that COVID-19 has changed the entertainment industry?
Evolution of the industry mainly in technology has seen the invention of even better equipment which means better service delivery to our clients.

About COVID, I think it's just a passing cloud and soon life will either be back to normal or we'll have learnt how to live with it. Attending a party on zoom and in person cannot give you the same experience. People need to physically socialize for it to be called a party.

Let’s talk music, what do you love to play and what is in a song that draws you to it?
I play and listen to everything, so long as it sounds good. I have a collection all the way from the 60s to the latest hits. I have also done many different kinds of events that require me to play different kinds of music, from Indian events, Somali events, South Sudan, Arabs, Korean, Latino, Danish, Nigerian, South African, all the major tribes in Kenya, etc

I end up listening to the music even after the events. 

What's the best and worst part about what you do?
The best part is I am lucky enough to get paid for doing what I love and enjoy.

I can't see any worst part to it, to be honest, maybe the people who judge us think every DJ is a drunkard who is not serious with life, and whatever else they say.

How do you get the crowd engaged, energized, and in the party spirit?
That involves a lot of things, deejaying is a form of art, you create moods.

But you have to know what to play, for who, and at what point during the party.

In the end, everyone should go home satisfied.

Which is the best and worst audience you ever played for?
Every audience I have played for is the best for me. I always strive to do better and make the next party better than the previous one; but also, every audience is different in its own right.

I can't pick any worst one, I have enjoyed every party I have played at.

How do you prepare for an event?
I inquire from the client the kind of people expected at the party, from that I can get a rough idea of what to play. I always have all my music sorted and in order.

You cannot really tell what you will play at a party until you are there; some are so diverse will require you to dig deeper into your music crates and even download some music you never played before.

You are supporting the next generation of DJs through your DJ school. What would you tell the young and upcoming DJs?
If you know what you want then go for it.

It's not easy, the road is bumpy, but you have to keep moving.

Stay disciplined, professional and true to the art, it pays.

What business lessons have you learnt along the way?
The business of deejaying is expensive, equipment are expensive to buy and maintain, and you always want to move a step ahead.

Learn to save as much as you can and keep reinvesting, financial discipline is key.

Social media account
Instagram: @dj_sail

Facebook: Sail Dennis (Dj Sail)

Twitter: @deejay_sail

Lovine Mboya is a digital enthusiast and writer. She recently took her passion for building brands and businesses online to a new level and started a digital PR company called Alovo Communications. With this, she hopes to provide creative, sustainable solutions for brands seeking a solid digital presence.

Lovine occasionally blogs, documenting bits and pieces of her life and thoughts. She is passionate about telling important and powerful stories and is endeared to people who show up as their truest selves.

How have you been?
I have been well thanks! Normal turbulences of life but all is well. I am surviving through my very first, and hopefully the only pandemic.

You have worked in digital marketing for years, how has the experience been?

It has honestly been quite a learning experience. The digital space is constantly evolving, and so every day comes with something new to learn, be it from core skills, or client service, or how to better coordinate the team. The thing with digital PR is it significantly depends on other functions of the business/brand performing above par, because it relies heavily on what the brand story is, and the brand story is influenced every day, by every member of the team.

What was going through your mind weeks before the launch of the company?

Haha. I was just going about my daily life, honestly. Alovo was a possibility I had had in mind for a long time, but never actually thought I would get to start it this soon, until the actual day I started it. It is like I woke up and said, ‘this is it! I am doing this’. I hadn’t mulled over it for weeks really. It wasn’t a sudden decision as I had always known I was going to do this. I just didn’t know when.

Tell us more about Alovo and why the name Alovo Communications?

I love this question. You know why? because people keep telling me how nice the name of the business is but don’t ask me what inspired it. Alovo is my name. It is a corrupt version of Lovine, mostly used by my family from my mom’s side. I had thought about different names for the company, and I wanted something simple, memorable, and that means something to me. Alovo is simple, memorable, and honours my mother’s people.

What are the company’s mission and goals?

Simply put, our mission is to deliver wholesome digital solutions that accurately represent and inspire brand growth. Digital PR has become a necessity for literally every brand, and it is a cluttered space. Our goal is to be the people that get your brand visible over and above the clutter and noise.

You offer a wide range of digital solutions to your clients, tell us about them

We offer creative content solutions, from content marketing to regular website blog content, marketing copy to PR copy. We are passionate about the digital space, and so creating a digital presence, building that from the ground up, getting you your ‘people’, and inspiring them to stay. We offer supportive services as well, like website development, graphic design as well as digital skills training.

How important is it for a business and even some individuals to have a digital strategy?
At Alovo, we strongly believe content is king, engagement is queen, and a strong strategy is the glue that holds them together. This is a common statement in the digital space, and it is a true statement. A strategy is your HOW to get what and where you want. I believe any activities on social media that are not guided by a strategy is akin to loitering in the digital space. You need purpose and direction. A strategy gives you that. 

You have been employed before and you now run your own company, how different or similar are those two? 

They are not similar at all, well, maybe a little. Self-employment needs much more grit than you would imagine. There is safety in a day job, and I liked that. I wouldn’t mind a guarantee of income even now. And to imagine I can’t take fake sick-offs and still get paid, surely. Alovo gave me purpose. I love that about it. It is my baby. It asks so much more from me, but I can handle it. 

What’s the best piece of advice you ever got about entrepreneurship?

Just do it. You will never be ready if that is what you are waiting for.
Go in, and figure it out along the way.
It is better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all when you knew very well you could have.

Entrepreneurship lessons you have learnt so far?

1. This is your journey to make. Do not go in while still looking at others to do ABCD for you. If they do, well and good. If they don’t, it is what it is. 

2. Choose the people you bring onboard very wisely. Your team, especially when you are starting out, they can push the business to success or dig it into a hole.  

3. You will need all the help you can get. Ask. Let them say no, but don’t let pride stop you from seeking support and achieving your goals.

Being a young entrepreneur in this country is not easy. What challenges have you faced so far and what solutions have you come up with?

Money! These first few months have not been easy financially, just getting basic operations up and running. I had preferred to co-found Alovo, but that plan tanked so I decided to just go solo. Finances have been tricks, to be honest. My solution was to come up with a budget, which I did even before starting Alovo, so nothing really caught me off guard.

What can we expect from you and Alovo in the next few years?

I am also waiting to see Alovo surprise me! Haha. I want my client base to cover beyond Kenya, to be honest. I would love it if we even go international because of the amazing work we have done.

What would you tell anyone who has business ideas but is afraid of starting? 

Just do it. Go in, and figure it out along the way.

Find Lovine on social media:
Facebook: lovinemboya
Twitter:  @lovinemboya
Instagram:  @lovinemboya