Chiko Matenda

Creative Entrepreneur (Digital Nomad)

How did I go from being a Contract Quality Manager working in the Corporate and U.K. Local Government Sector to becoming a Creative Entrepreneur (Digital Nomad) and Mentor for Female Entrepreneurs?

Ten years into my career, I woke up to the realisation that I had been sleep walking through my career. I was caught up in the fast paced London City Lifestyle, in progressing further up the career ladder and trapped in the financial stability that a job offered.

Given the choice, I would have become an Entrepreneur soon after graduating with a Business and Economics Degree from London and Switzerland American International Universities. Instead of following the expected traditional career path, which I was not intuitively drawn to, or enthusiastic about.

Intuitively, I never visualised myself being in a life long traditional career 9-5 pm and expected retirement package work model.

Even though, I instinctively chose a career progression in Strategic Leadership and Management (Quality Assurance, Contracts and Supply Management), which was linked to contributing to good causes in the community, I still felt limited in being able to exercise my creative business ideas freely.

I created a three year career exit strategy with the intention to finally leave my career and start a business.

Unfortunately, during this period, I experienced life challenging and challenging circumstances such as the risk of losing my job, sudden losses of my dad and younger sister. Being diagnosed with a debilitating chronic condition known as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

My health condition and the fear of my mortality was the final straw which forced me to awaken to my reality. Ultimately, I was left with no option, but to pursue my intended entrepreneurship path.

Lesson Learnt: Do not wait until it's too late mentally and physically to pursue your life vision and purpose.

I was held back by self-limiting beliefs:

Some of my self-limiting beliefs consisted of self-doubt, low confidence, fear of failure and success. Including self-limiting beliefs of being an introvert (shy and reserved), which held be back from having the confidence to pursue public speaking engagements including video recording.

Although, I strategically and operationally managed a quality and contracts department, supervised Teams Leaders/Managers and supported over 400 contracted suppliers (Small Business Owners); I still lacked the self-confidence and self-belief in my capability to startup a business independently.

I self-sabotaged every potential entrepreneurship opportunities, which caused me to feel nervous, or anxious due to fear of failure and success.

I was overwhelmed by the whole concept of completing a business plan and all the work it took to establish a business independently.

As a result of my fears, I shelved my creative business ideas more than I can count and procrastinated for many years.

Sound the above sound familiar?

I gained clarity of what my life vision and purpose was as a result of my life challenging and changing experiences. I become more fearless and motivated to overcome most of my self-limiting beliefs.

Fortunately, I stumbled across the Social Media and Digital Marketing Industry through attending live events. The Digital Marketing industry sparked my creativity and I've never looked back since then.

I have coached aspiring Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners as a Business and Sales Coach for a Global Client. This experience gave me the opportunity to overcome fear of sales and to embrace soft tech skills such as developing automated marketing and business systems.

My life vision and purpose has drawn me towards supporting like-minded women. Especially, women who resonate with my personal and professional journey.

I see the benefits women like me can actualize for themselves with the support of Social Media and Digital Marketing; to help them in actualizing your creative entrepreneurship business regardless of your background and limitations in life.

Most women feel less confident, or unaware of how they can leverage off Social Media and Digital Marketing to help them maximise their Creative Entrepreneurship Goals.

Digital Media has the potential to narrow the gender inequality gap (i.e., salaries, education, well-being) for women and girls especially those living in impoverished remote towns/villages. There is greater potential for women to contribute to innovative tech entrepreneurs ideas including sustainable development in their own communities.

Navigating in how to startup an online entrepreneurship business is not easy, at the same time is it possible.

I am here to help you in overcoming some of your self-limiting beliefs of starting up online. To help you in becoming fearless in embracing Social Media and Digital Marketing tools/resources, which can in turn offer your the lifestyle freedom to create /promote ideal products and services which attract your ideal clients.

If you resonate with my story so far and are ready to take the next best step to actualizing your online entrepreneurship business . Do feel to connect with me here for a Free Consultation!

I look forward to connect with you.

- Chiko

Mayda Poc

Career and Life Coaching and Mentoring for Executives 

If I had to summarize my life until six years ago, it would be: ‘getting with the program!

I am your typical ‘overachiever’ – straight A student, went to the top Grandes Ecoles and Universities in France; I have three master degrees, I speak four languages. 

And like many overachievers, I followed the obvious path – Finance and Investment Banking.

Not all was bad though!  Finance allowed me to work in Paris, then London and in New York City where I reside today with my husband and cat. 

I got to do many different and exciting jobs, from sales and trading, to equity derivatives and private equity, and becoming the Head of Equity Syndicate for the Americas.

Wall Street is a nice identity, right?  Worth clinging to, even when there is a nagging feeling that something is off? 

That’s what I did!  For many many years (16 in total!).

Despite my stubbornness at wanting to ‘make it work because what other choice I have?’ Life continued to send me gentle messages that the time has come, over and over again.

And you know what happens when we don’t get it the easy and smooth way? My wakeup call came in a hefty package. 

Advanced cancer.

Did I say I was stubborn? For 2 years, I continued the insanity, not listening, working my 4am/9pm schedule – chemo or not, work (and the bonus) are priority!

Until my body couldn’t take it anymore; and it was clear to me that cancer number 2 was a high probability, should I continue my stubborn way.

This is when my path really unfolded!  I was familiar with coaching, I have had a coach for many years. 

I then started my formal coaching education:  Institute of Integrative Nutrition for wellness coaching, the Institut de Coaching International Paris-Geneva for life and corporate coaching, the Hypnosis Motivation Institute for hypnosis, EFT and so much more.

Fast forward – I am today a Career and Life Coach for executives in fast-paced industries.  I work with career women, guiding them through their career and life challenges, and helping them renew their self-confidence to get an aligned job, getting promoted or change careers, without settling.

And if it’s time for you to start exploring the multiple and rich facets of your inner leader, to rekindle your love for life and to find your purpose, contact me here (mayda@maydapoccoaching.com) for a Free Consultation!