FINDING ME: Esther Neema

 I remember the first feeling of registering my first Business at 26. I was thrilled, ill-prepared for the journey ahead, but nothing short of the excitement of the possibilities I was about to create. 

Esther Neema

This became the journey to my most adventurous living, only, in a matter of days, which turned in to months and years, I was frustrated, lonely, and afraid of the future, like the many young entrepreneurs. The event company that I had started, had turned my entire life into a circus, living adequately below the poverty line in most seasons, experiencing not only bad hair days but bad hair months. The love for the hustle had cost me "the good life" and it was taking a toll on me.

Esther Neema running Belle Enterprise Themed Events

I was once always among the top of my classes, a Headgirl even, and naturally a top achiever. Yet here I was frustrated, having very little to show for my degree and my masters, and at that moment, all I could believe in was dreams and a little hope which was slowly beginning to fade. 2 / 2 One day, sitting at 4:00 am, it dawned on me, what if there was a world of entrepreneurs? A community and a support system, where we could encourage and walk together in a journey that would decimate the rate of failure and reduce the loneliness we felt along the way. A community where people could Dream, Team up and Build up.

Empire Content Network when shooting UKWELI wangu

That was the inception of Dream Tribe Network Africa. It opened my eyes to the beauty of coming together. I started as one, joined by 15 to start the Empire content Project. Today, we are over 500 members, headed for 1000 dreams. I feel stronger today, bolder, as I have become part of communities that have sparked my flame. I came to realize that everyone must be part of a tribe to succeed. Today, I am an awardee of Top 35 under 35, entrepreneurship category, and must admit, it is because of the communities that took a chance on me, invested in me, believing in only a mere idea. I am because we are.  I was nominated Top Women in Business in the year 2019 and, the ladies gave me a run for my money. 

Esther Neema, Nominee FOYA awards 2021

In 2021, I have been nominated Founder of the year under Social entrepreneur category. It gives me hope and a great reminder that we are on the right track. More and more women are in the table as key players. I have learned the power of dreams, as they always become realities. I am now interested in using Tech to advance. Already, started developing an APP to enhance the community, and with the hope to not only reach 1000 dreams, but millions even, not just in Kenya, or even Africa, but the world. 

Here is a story of my journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfqfosSH55s Fuelling 1000 Dreams: https://yalitvonline.com/fueling-1000-dreams/