An Interview with Beatrice Ndung’u: Youth Enthusiast, Digital PR Expert and Change Agent

Hello Africa,

It is another Konnect Africa Interview, and we have an amazing lady in the house.

This Kenyan beauty is the Founder and CEO of Young Media Foundation, an organisation that is focused on impacting the lives of young people across the globe. Her name – Beatrice Ndung’u.

Today, she shares her story and experiences with us in this highly inspirational interview. You really want to read this as there is so much wisdom and insights to soak in.

Without much ado, let’s dive in and enjoy it all.

Hello Beatrice Ndung’u. It is great to have you with us. Tell us about yourself – your family, ethnicity, education, hobbies etc…

I am a motivational speaker, a lover of life, a philanthropist, a go-getter, Jill of all trades. I have a degree in Media Law. I am the second of three children. I have a brother and a sister.

You are also the Founder and CEO of Young Media Foundation as well as SEMA Radio and TV. What inspired these ideas and what is the focus of these Initiatives?

YOUNG MEDIA FOUNDATION, is a non-profit organization in Kenya whose main mission is to give young people the tools and skills to make their voices heard. Young Media Foundation has different projects: Y RADIO-TV, ART THERAPY, BRICKS FOR SCHOOL and now we have introduced Y MENTORS.

The main purpose of the Y Mentors is to give young people a chance to voice their concerns and questions straight to their role models or mentors. This will help young people grow in business and life, as they get the advice they require to improve their lives.

Our Mentors come from all walks of life. They range from Business people, to people who have had TED talks, to others who have been featured in Forbes, to politicians etc

How are you able to keep Young Media Foundation running?

Through Donors. When we started, we used our own money for the projects, then Donors started coming in donating anything they feel they can.

Someone reading this interview might just be interested in setting up an online Radio and TV station. How can they go about it? What advice would you give them?

I would tell them to have a lot of patience and determination because it takes a lot of research and hard work for you to be on top and stay on top.

How can interested youths reading this across Africa be a part of what you are doing at Young Media Foundation?

We are looking for volunteer radio presenters from across the world. They can submit their shows to info@youngmediafoundation.com.

Like I said earlier, we also have the Y Mentors platform where they can ask from the Mentors any questions they have. They can do this using the same email address above.  They can also identify the Mentor you want to connect with.

Where do you see the Foundation in 5 years?

I see us helping very many young people in Africa and giving them an opportunity not only to learn but also to voice their concerns. I also see us building many schools through our bricks-to-school project and helping children heal across Africa through Art therapy

You have your hands in a number of pies. Tell us about Platinum Digital PR. What informed your decision to co-found the company?

Well, I am lucky to have a Partner who has the same interest like I do, and understands my creative process.

Kenneth Njuguna is my Partner. We sat down last year and decided to start a PR agency because we both had clients who wanted branding, creative marketing, social media marketing, advertising and even managing… and the clients were increasing by the minute hence why the decision to start.

Enlighten us a bit, Beatrice. What is Digital PR and Marketing all about and how can it help a business succeed?

Digital isn’t just a platform or technology. It’s an integral part of life. Digital PR is building presence on the internet and managing online reputation for brands and businesses. This can be done through various means such as social media, websites, blogging, and online media coverage.

Our agency understands the always-evolving landscape of current digital media. Now more than ever, you need a clear, attention-getting story delivered to your key audiences.

What would you say is your biggest achievement since you started out in the Digital PR Business?

I can say it is the increase in our client base throughout Africa. We have clients all over Africa and sometimes we have to travel for weeks to meet the needs of our clients. We didn’t expect this but I guess our work speaks for itself.

What are the benefits you have enjoyed in being a Co-founder as against having to do it all alone?

I get to learn a lot from my amazing Partner, plus we have a really good team. Team work makes the dream work. I can’t do it all alone.

What are two (2) of the major challenges you have encountered in business thus far and how did you overcome them?

When clients don’t meet their end of the deal i.e. when they don’t pay or when they don’t pay on time.

Entrepreneurship seems to be the next big thing in Africa. What do you enjoy most about being an Entrepreneur?

When you own your own business, there is no ceiling to how much you can make. It’s literally up to how hard you work. You have the ability to grow exponentially.

For African Youths who are interested in venturing into the Digital PR Business, what candid advice would you give them?

You have to be very creative to come up with concepts that are mind blowing. That will set you apart from all the PR agencies. So, my advice is this – think outside the box.

Can you give us a peep into what your typical day looks like?

Oh my… hahahahaha.  My days always vary but everyday I have to meet up clients and write proposals and concepts. I sleep late and wake up early, but always make time for family and friends.

Any mentors?

Yes! I look up to anyone who hasn’t given up and has made it despite roadblocks along their way.

For you, Life is….

Happiness. Life is laughter. Life is blessing others and life is peace of mind

Africa will rise when…..

We stop doubting ourselves. When we show the Western World that we too can do what they can do.

What is that one thing you would like every African youth to know? Inspire a young African in a sentence

People may not always see the treasure that God has placed within you, so don’t place too much value to the opinion of others. Trust that God knows what’s in you and He will choose you even when others overlook you

Wow! Many thanks for sharing with us so beautifully, Beatrice.

You are welcome.

Thanks for reading this interview. You can follow Beatrice Ndung’u on Instagram @beatricendungu, on Twitter @beatricendungu, on Facebook – Beatrice Ndung’u, Platinum Digital PR, Young Media Foundation.

You can also reach her via email -beatricemndungu@gmail.com, www.platinumdigitalpr.com and www.youngmediafoundation.com

Cheers