Most about pages are just plain and static, either AI-generated or written in reported speech. I decided to personalize mine so that as I tell my story, someone else sees themselves in it and feels motivated.
If my story doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will. I decided to share photos from different stages of my life to show you that success isn’t about having a fancy background, it’s about making the most of what you have and living your purpose.
My name is Siloma Stephen, and the photo you see here is the earliest one I know of me standing. I was born deep in Maasailand in a small town called Rombo. That bicycle you see there? It was for the elite. Owning a ‘Black Mamba’ bicycle in Rombo village earned you double honor! 😂
In the photo, I probably had no idea what was happening. Maybe I was busy chewing my ants when suddenly, the cameraman, one of the village elites, rode by on his Black Mamba and snapped this picture of me. I look scared, bamboozled, maybe even wondering what life had in store for me. Luckily, I think I just peed it off! One of the perks of being a kid. 😆
Like many other young kids in the village, I attended the local primary school. This was Rombo Boys Primary School, yeah you read that right, it was a boys only school. Half the students had no shoes and the other half wore what we called ‘Nkinyera’ or ‘Akala’, shoes made from car and motorcycle tires.
Then there was the top tier, the elite like me who wore second hand mitumba shoes or Bata Ngoma rubbers. I remember my peers trying to fit into my shoes just to see what wearing shoes felt like. I was the luckiest and richest. My mom was a teacher at the same school and we lived in the school compound.
Some people say school is not important but for me it was. I learned valuable social skills by interacting with others. I learned to empathize knowing that we all came from different backgrounds. I also realized that we are uniquely talented in different ways and that we cannot all be measured by the same yardstick.
In the year 2001, my mom, a village primary school teacher, took a loan and bought a computer. This would end up shaping my life. It would later define what I do and how I impact others as well. It was through this big and bold move that my mom made that I would later impart skills to hundreds of young people and help them earn a living.
The computer ran on Windows 2000. I learned all the computer packages by myself. I taught myself how to type using Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, and games like FIFA World Cup 2000, Dangerous Dave, Mortal Kombat, and Superbikes kept me entertained during my downtime.
In just four years, I was myopic. The CRT monitor with no anti-glare damaged my eyes. But those four years shaped my life. They gave me a solid foundation in using computers as I explored every software in the Windows operating system. I learned that investing in my kids early would give them an edge in life.
I got a chance to study in a very good school near the city, and the culture shock was real. For the first time, I saw kids from extremely wealthy backgrounds. My biggest aspirations were just their norm. I felt misplaced.
Studying in a school close to the city taught me a different way of life and reshaped my mindset. It showed me that all things are possible.
I remember once seeing a photo of a schoolmate’s home, a beautiful compound in one of Nairobi’s posh neighborhoods, complete with a full basketball court and expensive cars parked in the driveway. I was in shock. I had never seen that level of wealth before.
I told myself, “One day, I will have something better than this.”
I was sponsored through high school by a nomadic organization, and as a product of sponsorship, I created a free online school called Brait Academy to impart digital skills to people who cannot afford tertiary education.
Immediately after high school, I started a cyber café in the village. I named it Whizzkids Studio. The name whizzkid means a young person who is outstandingly skillful or successful at something.
I saw myself as both skillful and successful. To successfully impart knowledge and mentor others, you must first see yourself as that thing because you cannot draw from an empty cup.
My graphic design career was shaped in this cyber café, where I designed church crusade promotional posters, product stickers, funeral brochures, and more.
I lived in a border town, where I also provided technical IT support to custom border offices, helping them repair or reinstall Windows operating systems and install basic computer software like archiving and editing programs. Internet connectivity was poor and extremely expensive, making it costly to download software.
I learned never to underestimate humble beginnings, as they shape who you become in life.
My campus life shaped me. It was my first time living in the city. Truth be told, the city life is something I still struggle with to this day.
You see, in the village, friendships are real, connections are meaningful, and culture guides us. In the city, every man is for himself, and everyone is trying to make ends meet.
I fused the positive aspects of my village culture with the motivation, dedication, and discipline I saw in the city, creating a version of myself that I now use to mentor others.
Living in the ghetto taught me to put my hands on everything and anything. To put food on the table, I played the piano in bands, deejayed in nightclubs, sold T-shirts, designed posters and graphics, and taught myself the most valuable skill I have harnessed throughout my life – web design and development.
This is why I always emphasize to the young people I mentor that investing in themselves is the best decision they can ever make.
My first job was exhausting and overwhelming. I started as an IT technician, earning peanuts. For the better part of my life, I was jobless and worked for several organizations before finding my footing.
I have done many things; playing in bands as a pianist, deejaying, graphic design, photography, selling T-shirts, photo frames, and mounts until I finally started my own agency, Brait Consulting Limited.
I have failed countless times, but I have learned to push through and grow from my failures. Those experiences have shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today.
Today, I impact countless young digital creatives by upskilling them through my free online school, Brait Academy, and teaching them how to monetize their skills.
I share my story to inspire, empower, and motivate show people that failure is not fatal. Your current situation, misfortune, or background does not define you. You have the power to shape your future into whatever you want it to be.
I firmly believe that everything can be taught. Legacy isn’t built in a day you live it daily. You CAN, and you WILL!
I have failed more times than you can imagine and they say the best way to learn is to learn from failures as they will show you which pitfalls to avoid. I wrote an e-book to teach you how to build a business that will attract high paying clients. A successful business is like a flower that is beautiful to look at (perception/brand), rich with sweet nectar (a valuable product) and is accessible to the bees (your clients). Now, have you ever noticed how a flower sways rhythmically with the wind? That’s its way of promoting itself, so called marketing.
Why don’t you check this e-book out?
Siloma Stephen is a versatile and passionate creative professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 12 years in web design, branding, digital marketing, and photography. With a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and a strong sense of purpose, he has dedicated his career to empowering individuals and businesses to thrive in today’s digital landscape.
Siloma is the founder of Brait Consulting and Brait Academy, initiatives designed to help individuals master in-demand digital skills, create impactful brands, and build sustainable businesses. Through Brait Academy, he has made it his mission to democratize education and equip underprivileged youth with the skills needed to overcome unemployment and earn meaningful incomes.
Siloma has honed his expertise in various fields, including web development, UI/UX design, graphic design, SEO, and brand strategy. He is also certified by esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan School of Business & Management UK, ISACA, and the Media Council of Kenya.
Beyond his technical acumen, Siloma is an accomplished photographer whose work has supported NGOs in documenting impactful stories and raising awareness for critical missions. His humanitarian efforts and storytelling skills reflect his dedication to making a difference.
Affiliated with professional organizations like the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Siloma continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of digital creatives, helping them unlock their potential and take control of their futures.
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