M.P Blog

If there is something in my career life that I would have done differently, is claiming my spot very early on and not let everyone walk all over me. There is a lot to unpack from that sentence, so let me try and hopefully it will help someone in their career development, today.

I started my official employment at the age 25, being the youngest at an organization of 600+ people. My first position led me to the Public Relations office where I served for almost a year, and thereafter, I joined my favorite department, Sales and Marketing. I love marketing! I was on fire! Which means I burnt bridges, created pathways where there was none and sometimes, I burnt myself too...but that is a story for another day.

Being the youngest means you are hardly taken serious, especially when you are in an industry that is quite male-dominated. So I had to learn to tame myself and let others talk on my behalf, or sometimes do what I am told even when I knew things could have been done the other way. This worked for the first 2 years, until the frustration that was building inside me, couldn't take it any more. I started to act out and just be stubborn for no reason. As you can as well guess, I received several discipline letters and was called to the HR for insubordination issues. I was ready to quit.

Then one day, my dad asked me to share exactly what it is that frustrated me. Ooooh I had a lot to say! Him being the patient and cool collected man, he listened until i was done. He waited for me to cool down (I was literally sobbing). Then he calmly asked me, "Let alone the activities that you do, what do you see as your role in that organization?"...I was dumbfounded. I had never before, thought beyond my position and the activities I performed for the organization. It took me few minutes to actually come up with an answer, I said " My role is to create a platform that connects the organization and its potential customers/stakeholders."

He smiled and said, "That's correct. Now, are you 100% in control of that role?" I shook my head "No"...because that was indeed the root cause of my frustration. I felt that I was not in control of the role, but I still received all the blames when things went wrong. My dad gave me a long talk about understanding the organization structure and claiming my spot without apologizing for it. He talked about how leadership is about pushing things forward and breaking the barriers that I come across, daily. At the end of our almost 3 hours talk, he bluntly told me, "You are a young lady with so much fire in you. You can do amazing things if you learn to claim your spot, work hard and earn everyone's respect. I believe in you kiddo, don't shrink yourself for anybody". With tears in my eyes, I promised to make him proud.

When I got to work after that weekend, I brought the fire with me. It took less than six months for my then boss to call me, and asked if I wanted to take on more responsibilities. I said YES! I went on to out perform all tasks related to Events Planning and coordination, which was a big part of the Marketing activities. And after serving for 6 years, my boss gave me his blessings when I asked if I could leave and go to a job that was specifically Events Coordination, at a different organization.

5 years now and I am loving every single challenge that comes with Event coordination. From organizing events in Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana and almost every major city in Tanzania...Coordinating events that bring together former and current presidents, heads of various regional organizations and African countries, private sector etc... It has been such a ride, and quite fruitful. I am forever grateful for my father's advise that day.

Let me come back to you. What is that career thing that is currently troubling you? Let's share and discuss in the comments below

xoxo
Missie Popular

It goes without saying that I LOVE my city, Dar es Salaam. Besides its beautiful architecture, the beach, the super crazy but amazing people, it is also home to great fashion and style in East Africa. It is where fashion trends start and spread to other parts of the East African region, especially through the incorporation of fashion in music and films. This is the Bongoland, and I love it to the core!

It is its majestic architecture and resilient people that inspired me to do this photoshoot. Interpreting how beautiful my city is, the strength and pride its people has and of course, the fashion and style that can be found here. The green color goes with our attempt to embrace sustainability in most of what we do, while the exaggerated moves matches our very own pride and egos as Dar es Salaam dwellers. If you have ever been to this city, you will understand that last part better. No matter who you meet and what their social status is, the pride and ego is of the same size!

But we laugh at every situation we go through. Be it the April rain and floods, the usual crazy traffic jam or getting into the bus through the window, it is never that serious :) You will always hear that same phrase, this is Bongo!

I accessorized the look with ivory colored bangles, earrings and shoes, as a way of showing my sincere optimism for the economic development of my city, which can be contributed by the formalization and development of the fashion industry. I have hope that this East African fashion hub can be able to manufacture and distribute fashion items to the whole of Eastern and Central Africa. We can go beyond fashion designing and events, If only we try.

As I celebrate this, I also congratulate the likes of Khadija Mwanamboka, Kemi Kalikawe and Ally Rehmtullah, who own fashion institutes that groom more designers for the East African market. I urge more investors to take on various opportunities in this sector, and together we can create a bigger impact

xoxo
Missie Popular

Finally, I got to start writing about what I do everyday. EVENTS.

I have received so many requests asking if I could share my experience and various tips in planning and managing events. From the roles of an Event Manager to what should be in the Event Checklist and how to write event proposals/concept notes. Different people want to know different things and it has been really a struggle to answer one by one, through the DMs. So here we are. I will start sharing the different aspects of events, through my social media channels. Highlights on Instagram, Content in writing here on the blog and Swahili videos on YouTube.

Today we start with one of the most important item in event management. The Checklist.

An event checklist is a document that contains 5 elements that can make or break your event. These elements are as briefly explained below;

Content is what carries an event. What is the event about? What message is being passed on? Through which modality? Who and how many are the speakers? For how long? All these questions and more, are what lead you in venue selection, speakers and participants list development, and coordination of all technical and knowledge experts/resource persons that will be required.

Logistics for the event follows what is required to achieve the above content/event deliverable. This involves booking venues, transport, food vendors, security, and all other logistical details as per the event. Majority of Event Planners get it wrong by putting concentration in this element without connecting it with the CONTENT element. Try to make this shift and you will see the best results in your coordination.

Your Financial plans like budget, sponsorships etc can now be made, following the needs above. This will assist to be as realistic as possible, since you already know the content and logistics required for your event. Remember to itemize each detail in your finance plans, including your own rate as the event manager.

This element includes the design and production of branding/decor materials, media, photography, videography etc & it varies according to a specific event. There are events that do not require PR or media presence, while others can be done through issuing a press release or updating social media channels. Regardless of your PR plans, do not forget to include them in your checklist in order to make a follow-up before, during or after the event.

If there is something we can agree on is that, during an event, ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG. And sometimes, many things that happen during an actual event requires you to navigate and make changes in your checklist. This is were a miscellaneous element for an event, comes in. In this list we put alternative/risk management items just in case things do not go as planned. It can be an ambulance, a standby generator, the name of an alternative guest of honor/pastor/sheikh, etc. All major things that might kill the event completely, need to have their risk management listed here.

Well,I hope that helps and you will have a better experience when doing your next event.

I will post the Swahili video over the weekend, as well as the plan for a zoom meeting for those who will need personalized/customized help on their event checklist.

xoxo

Missie Popular

Spending a full day in the wild is one of the best experience ever! Especially if that wilderness is one of Tanzania's National Parks!

My family and I decided to celebrate new years and my birthday at Mikumi National Park,located in Morogoro,Tanzania. Our safari vehicle picked us from our doorstep at 5a.m and we left Dar es Salaam. It was an adventurous drive all the way, as the kids point at this and that and play in the car. Mind you, we two 4year olds and one boy who is less that 2 years. Soooo,you can imagine the excitement!

Our driver,Mr. Peter from Lavano Tours is also an amazing tour guide. He made sure we had a smooth ride as well as taking us around the National Park, all the time giving us details on various animals and their behaviors. His mission was to make sure we saw all the animals that the kids mentioned as their list, and we did! From the mighty lion (Mr Peter will disagree on the mighty part hahaha),the ever elegant giraffe, birds, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, zebras, buffalos, to the king of the wilderness, the elephant!

We rested under this 300 years old baobab tree, and had our snacks before heading out again for some more fun!

Taking pictures of this scenery was just magical! I felt like the cameras were failing to actually capture the beauty!

We had so much fun!

Our accommodation was Camp Bastian, a rather tourist spot that is well blended into nature. I loooove the greenery of the place and their staff! Oooh such friendly and helpful people!

I wish I captured more pictures of the camp but....you know when traveling with kids, plans change as time goes. Hopefully I will get another chance to visit the place and share it with you :)

I hope this motivates you to plan for a trip to one of Tanzania's beautiful parks. I assure you, no words and no pictures can capture the ACTUAL beauty of this place! You have to experience, to understand.

Get on my Instagram here @MissiePopular to see my everyday travel and lifestyle stories.

Goodluck on your future travels :)

xoxo

Missie Popular

Firefly Boutique Hotel, Bagamoyo. That was the address given to me by one of my colleagues, when I was searching for a place to stay for my Bagamoyo trip. The place came highly recommended for a rusty and sustainable place that I needed.

On arrival, I was taken aback. First of all, we arrived at around 8p.m and I couldn't see much. But the lights and ambiance outside the entrance door gave me a hint of what awaited me inside.

Because I was just too tired, I went straight to bed.

6a.m I was awake and ready to explore this magical place. I was greeted by a lazy cat sleeping by the window, snoring loudly as he enjoyed the sea breeze and the sounds of birds singing.

He woke up for a second, looked me in the eyes and went back to lalaland.

I didn't want to disturb him so I continued my exploration. My bare feet feeling the cold concrete floors as I went down the stairs and outside where a swimming pool awaited. The swooshing sounds of the surrounding trees made me wish I carried my yoga pants and a mat!

I strolled down, through the well kept gardens and came face to face with a wide greenery area that hosts those small camping tents...you know...those navy green ones? Well, I could just imagine the calmness that those camping guests were enjoying, sleeping while surrounded by such a beautiful scenery.

My day had just started and I was already feeling wide awake with a deep feeling of gratitude. I was thankful for being alive and being able to enjoy such beauty of nature. I went back to my room to get myself ready for the day

The room was quite different from my usual hotels of choice. Heavy wooden doors, concrete floors, wooden windows, swahili coast rugs and bins, it was quite a new experience for me but exactly what I wanted to see. However, the damp smell and dusty beddings got all my allergies acting up.

After a complaint to the hotel staff, the room was deep cleaned and I really appreciated that effort. I could breath again and enjoy the Bagamoyo air.

Ready for the day, I went to experience the food. Tea was served by the swimming pool, on wooden tables that blend amazingly well with the surrounding gardens. Cats and Dogs can be seen lounging or walking around, sizing up the new guests. I fell in love with this fluffy baby :)

My favorite breakfast by far is this mix. Spanish omelette with avocado topped bruschetta. The chef used this red peppered salt that was just yummy! With a full belly, I went off to do the business that took me to Bagamoyo, spending a full day working and working some more.

The evening brought me and my colleagues back to a quite place, a Firefly that just begged for a quite dinner with glass of wine...or in my case, grape juice :)

We enjoyed our dinner by the swimming pool, listening to the beautiful sounds of soul music coming from the hotel speakers. The speakers are mounted on the surrounding trees, giving that surprise feel to the ears.

With that, I went back to bed, for I needed my beauty sleep for a mini photoshoot that I was to do the next day. You can see the pictures here

Would I recommend Firefly to anyone else? Well, Yes and No. Yes it is a great place for those who have been to a rustic hotel before...those who appreciates antique and sustainable things, especially if you are a backpacker or solo adventure traveler.

However, if the above is not you, then you might miss the beauty of this place. So I will not recommend it. But you may visit it for food and definitely for those Insta-worthy pictures :)

My stay was adventurous and I plan to visit again in future.

Go to my Instagram page @MissiePopular to see more of my travel experiences.

xoxo

Missie Popular