Thread by @J4Mtambalike

THREAD | My unsung hero, Mr. Dastan Chikoko. Immediately after I graduated nirirudi nyumbani to start my first startup #GreentechTechnologies My Idea was to start a large African conglomerate inspired by the Dangote and Tata Group. I wanted to call the business #GreenGroupAfrica

2. Me and my cofounder then #AmirHassan we immediately realized it was tough to build a tech consulting business in Dar with all the big guns around. We decided to move to Dodoma (Makole) in the last quarter of 2011. The city was growing and we saw an opportunity there.

3. The decision to go to Dodoma wasn’t an easy one. We were both born and raised in Dar. Have college degrees from better school and a lot of social pressure from family and friends. But against all odds wile still went there. We faced a lot of challenges kickstarting our biz.

4. It wasn’t easy, our integrity was tested, getting a strategic place to start the office wasn’t easy; we faced a lot of corruption. We dreamed of government tenders that we never get. Before we knew it our dream of starting a tech consulting firm and investment group turned..

5. ... turned into a small “Stationary” running services for CBE students at Makole. It was so depressing and frustrating for me. I had big dreams and plans and here I am doing photocopies for 1st year students. Everyday opening the office at 0600Hrs and close it at 2100Hrs...

6. I Dodoma me and my cofounder we hustled and tried so many things to sustain the business; explored Viatu business from Mbeya, explored Mifugo from Kiteto and even we explored “Ruby” business but it was tough and everything we touched evaporated. We felt like we were cursed..

7. There come Mr. Dastan Chikoko, someone at his 50s, studying Masters Degree at Dodoma CBE, Alcoholic (Prone to Konyagi and Nyama Choma). A proud Nyakyusa and a master of business plan writing. He made his fortune getting commissions for writing business plans for uneducated fox

8. No matter what time Mr. Dastan comes to my office I was always there. He liked my work and always paid 200% extra for the work. He was a very cool guy with a very dirty mouth. He will insult you before giving you money and take you for lunch to further insult you.

9. One time he talked to me and my cofounder; you guys are talented. What Fcuk are you doing here? Semi-arid central TZ burning your time doing sh*t work for ungrateful students... we laughed. He was serious. He introduced us to some rich guy the founder of Dear Mama Hotel.

10. We thought Mr. Dastan was harsh his friend was worse. He insulted us multiple time when we mentioned the cost we will charge him to make the website and he never gave us the deal even though we did a bit of work...

11. There were a lot of reasons that made me to leave Dodoma & left everything behind but among the main reasons was the conversation I had with Mr. Dastan over lunch. After a lot of sh*t words I realized I was wasting my time and potential and I was underestimating my abilities

12. I remember I just told my cofounder I’m done and I’m living. I wasn’t built for this city, my place is DAR. I will survive there. I was born there, everything I learned about survival I learned there. My cofounder was so frustrated and we didn’t talk for almost a year.

13. Unfortunately, after few months the business went bankrupt. I was in Dar starting my new chapter a career in innovation and technology entrepreneurship. I started to volunteer at #KINU and run my second startup #TechGeeks training tech stuffs. That’s how@my career started.

14. Lessons from Mr. Dastan.

1. A body will continue in a state of rest or uniform motion until external force is applied. Always except positive criticism that helps you to grow.

2. Don’t judge people accordingly how they look or what they do always listen first.

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3. It’s okay to fail; it’s not about failing it’s about how you recover from failure.

4. Comfortability and growth they never share a room. I was comfortable to do photocopies and hangout with CBE students until I learned about growth.

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6. Always find right people; hangout with them. Usijali wakikuita mshika CD. You will learn a thing or two from them that will transform your life.

7. Learn to be a sponge, suck everything and then decide what to filter out.

17. Finally, I don’t know where Mr. Dastan is now or even what he does but he truly transformed me. Every time I start to get comfortable I remember the words “Mtambalike Your Fcukin Better Than That”. I don’t know what was in the drink but he always split 🔥 when he was drunk.

18. I thank him and wish him best of luck in his endeavors. He was truly a proper Nyakyusa father, and mentor to me.