Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My wife, Jeannetta, and I have a 4 year old. As a family, we strive to have fun and find fulfillment in life through exercise and meeting our own personal needs.
Can you tell us about WAKA Global?
WAKA opened in March 2014. WAKA creates spaces where people can work, live and thrive. We have created the first lifestyle hub in Africa – where young professional can have a place to work, exercise, think creatively, rejuvenate, and create. I feel proud when locals thank me for bringing this concept here.
What is the community like at WAKA downtown?
Our members have access to 1800+ people from various backgrounds with diverse stories, social networks and entrepreneurial ideas. There is a warm culture among our members, that is supportive and encouraging. Our members fully energize me every day!
What advice do you have for fellow entreprenurs?
Start a business you see a market for, perform thorough market analysis, and do your projections beforehand. Take your business seriously and follow all of the country’s guidelines. Put your heart and mind into the business, and don’t be afraid to fail if it is what you love.
Any advice on how to cultivate healthy exercise habits?
Everyone can find 3 times a week to exercise 25 minutes a day. I used to never be a morning person, but now I cherish my morning run to the gym and back after drinking my coffee as the sun rises over Kigali. Start the day with a win - it changes the game!
What do you like to do with your family?
We love weekend trips to Lake Kivu and the game park, exercising on Car Free Day, going to the library, getting together with other families for a BBQ, and swimming on the weekends.
Do you ever welcome families into your space?
In fact, we just started opening up our space to game nights for young families seeking to have fun on the weekends. Weekends can be quiet in Kigali, so we want to offer the opportunity for parents and children to come use our space and have fun! Be this through exercise, group classes, game nights, etc. Stay tuned for what we have in store!
