Page 38 - STJ VOL 3 FINAL_Neat

Financial IQ

A Conversation with The Star Performer

Kalizya: So, tell me about yourself. What is Misheal like? then I was surprised to learn about how to care for your
What do people say? customers, the invoices - which was so different and I
Misheal: My friends know me as a talkative person, as have never learned about! It also helped me a lot with
a fun person to be around, a very brilliant person, a school work because I take business studies.
person who loves to interact with people, a very helpful K: Did you see yourself winning?
person and a person who does not like to be upset. M: (chuckles) no way! I was like mmm naahh! Most
K: How did you hear about the KidsMBA challenge? people had courage and speaking so confidently! I
M: My mom has a friend who saw it on facebook and was like Oh my gosh I am losing here! But then, after
he told my mom about it. She then called me whilst I I pitched my program, I was like yeh, I am going to win!
was at school to tell me about the program and to start Yes! The waiting was intense but once I heard that I won,
working on the requirements needed. I rejoiced! My heart was singing hallelujah!
K: What did you find most challenging about the program K: What did you think would happen as a result of you
M: Actually, the questions were so hard. Like, what winning?
would you do in certain scenarios? How to make an M: You know, I never even thought there was going to
invoice…such questions were difficult to understand but be a trophy! I had no idea that pictures were going to
at the end, I got the hang of it. be taken of me! I thought I would just get my certificate,
K: So, this program is essentially trying to teach you go back home and sleep. Then, a trophy!? Wow! Which I
about the ‘real world’ and what that is like. After going have never had! A certificate! Hmm!
through it, what do you think? K: Did you frame it in your house?
M: It’s actually difficult. You have to like know more and M: I am planning to put it in my bedroom! One in the
read more! living room, then the other one in my room. So that
K: Has this program inspired you to become an whoever walks in the house should be like “oh that’s
entrepreneur? Misheal Jenkins!”
M: Yes! K: So, what have you learned about yourself through the
K: How can young people be a part of solving problems process?
at such an early stage in life? How would you encourage M: I think I shouldn’t doubt myself and just be the real
someone your age to make the bold step of being a me. Whatever tough things come my way, I should
creator? just ignore it and whoever tries to put me down and
M: Uhmm, one thing they shouldn’t do is not to doubt discourage me, I should just avoid them. I should just be
themselves. When they have an idea, it can take you courageous and inspire people to do the same.
somewhere far. They should have courage to tell people K: So, do you have any more business ideas up your
because they might help you! And the other thing is that sleeve that have been inspired by you attending this
they shouldn’t look down on themselves and just be program?
proud of who you really are and love yourself! M: Yeah! A lot!
K: Did kids ever make fun of you at school? K: Where do you see yourself in 6 years? When you are
M: Actually, when I was in grade 6, I used to cry a lot. 20 years old? /
People used to make fun of me because of my name M: America!
but now when they found out that I’m here, they were K: Do you have any siblings?
so shocked! They said “Oh Misheal you’ve grown a lot! M: I only have one. A younger one. He knows how to
You’ve grown so fast!” draw! I have been encouraging him to join the program
K: How do you deal with that? too once he is of age.
M: Actually, I don’t have a grudge against anyone and I K: So, what’s next? What is Misheal doing next?
want them to be close to me because they ask me a lot M: I think I am planning to have another business idea
of questions on how to create business ideas and I help and uhmmmm starting to make my product and start
them. I love to help them. selling it. I will start in Kalumbila.
K: Who were your biggest supporters? K: How do you like Lusaka?
M: My mom and a certain friend of hers in America. She M: It freaks me out! There are so many people and
is the one who helped me with most of the stuff like the almost each and every day, people move around. It’s so
payments. She loved my business idea. packed in town and the markets!
K: So, when you submitted this entry, at what stage was K: Misheal, you are quite the inspiration for people your
your business? Was it fully developed? Did the courses age. There are not so many forward thinkers at your age
help you gain understanding in a lot of things you maybe and I cannot wait for people to hear about you and to
overlooked? see your product on the market!
M: When I came, I thought we would just be learning
about business things all the time. You know? Like, what
is your business idea and what will you do about it. But M: Thank you!

38