I first interacted with Blair in a popular graphic design WhatsApp group, and I instantly admired his work. At the time, he was a journalism student, but his talent was undeniable. One glance at his designs, and it was clear he had a natural gift for graphic design.
However, when I saw how much he was charging, I thought, “This young man could earn more if he knew a thing or two about running a business.” I also realized that if he expanded his skill set to include web development, he wouldn’t just be a graphic designer creating posters and brand identities, he could capture more of the design and development value chain.
I selected him for personal training to prepare him for the future. I taught him web development using WordPress and Elementor. I told him that web development was not just aesthetics but functionality. He learned how to create websites that sell, websites that were optimized for speed, and secured from hackers.
Like many young people, Blair had a tendency to be petty 😂. From my experience mentoring young people, I’ve noticed that most young people struggle when challenged or pushed beyond their comfort zones. I pushed Blair hard, making it clear that he wasn’t the best yet not in graphics, nor in web development.
The result?
Blair has gone on to work with major organizations such as the African Union, Smachs Foundation, Save the Children, Horn of Africa Youth Network, IGAD, COMESA, KIPPRA, and even Charlene Ruto, the daughter of the President.
Today, Blair is a climate action advocate, a creative genius, and a champion for education rights. Looking back at our journey, I couldn’t be prouder of how far he has come. I taught him how to handle client projects professionally, improve his communication skills, and embrace honesty and transparency by reporting challenges and finding solutions. The results speak for themselves.
You can hire him at – https://blair.co.ke/
