TLDR;
Amina Juma shares her life story, from a difficult childhood and teenage pregnancy to working as a house help in the Middle East and eventually becoming a successful real estate saleswoman and mentor. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, financial planning, and continuous self-improvement. Amina highlights the challenges faced by those working in the Middle East, including loneliness and exploitation, and encourages them to seek opportunities for growth and development.
- Overcoming adversity through mindset and financial planning.
- Importance of continuous self-improvement and mentorship.
- Challenges and opportunities for those working in the Middle East.
Early Life and Challenges [0:00]
Amina recounts her difficult childhood, marked by her father's absence and financial struggles. Her family relied on her mother's casual jobs and support from the church to pay for her education. After failing her exams due to depression and family responsibilities, she felt immense pressure to succeed and support her mother. This led her to work in clubs to raise money for college, balancing her studies with long hours of work.
University, a DJ, and Unexpected Pregnancy [14:47]
While in university, Amina met a DJ who offered her housing and financial assistance. She deferred her studies to work in Garissa, where she became pregnant and discovered the DJ was married. This led to suicidal thoughts and a plan to end her life, but she was stopped by her mother's words and the responsibility she felt towards her family. After returning home, she faced her mother's disappointment and considered terminating the pregnancy, but her mother's strong opposition changed her mind.
Motherhood and Starting a Business [25:39]
Amina gave birth to her daughter, Wema, via C-section after a difficult labor. With the help of her mother and a health insurance program, she managed to cover the hospital expenses. She started a small grocery shop to support herself and her child, later expanding into selling children's garments. Despite initial success, the business crumbled due to theft and mismanagement by friends she had hired.
Working in Saudi Arabia and Mindset Shift [33:57]
Faced with financial difficulties, Amina decided to work in Saudi Arabia as a house help. Despite her mother's concerns, she underwent training and prepared herself for the challenges ahead. In Saudi Arabia, she faced poor living conditions and mistreatment, but she began reading books on personal finance and mindset, which transformed her perspective. She stopped complaining, focused on self-improvement, and started building relationships with her employers.
Transformation and Mentorship [45:10]
Amina's changed mindset led to better treatment from her employers, who started gifting her clothes and shoes. She began using TikTok to share her experiences and inspire others, eventually becoming a mentor to over 100 women in the Middle East. She taught them about financial planning, saving, and investing, emphasizing the importance of paying themselves first and avoiding the "black tax" of constant family demands.
Real Estate and Financial Success [55:01]
Amina started working with travel companies and real estate firms, earning commissions through her online platform. She sought legal advice and eventually met "General," the CEO of Milescoope Ltd, a real estate company, who became her mentor. She bought land through the company, testing their legitimacy with her lawyer's help. As a saleswoman for Milescoope, she earned a six-figure income and purchased land for her daughter.
Building a Community and Investing in Others [1:10:00]
Amina created two WhatsApp groups to inspire and educate others about investing and financial planning. She featured experts in various fields, including lawyers and agri-business professionals, to provide valuable insights to her community. She also invested in land for her daughter in Malindi and planned to venture into fruit farming, aiming to provide value and opportunities for her investors.
Returning to Kenya and Future Plans [1:17:38]
Upon returning to Kenya, Amina became the Customer Relations Manager at Milescoope. Her step-father, with whom she had a strained relationship, surprised her by gifting her land. She emphasized the importance of healing from past traumas and embracing personal growth. Amina and Milescope are planning to expand their business to the UK, selling real estate and providing investment opportunities for those abroad.
Challenges and Advice for Those in the Middle East [1:28:09]
Amina discussed the challenges faced by those working in the Middle East, including loneliness and exploitation. She advised them to avoid seeking sympathy, set boundaries, and focus on self-development. She stressed the importance of having an exit plan and seeking opportunities for growth, rather than remaining stagnant in their current positions.
Key Lessons and Final Thoughts [1:37:18]
Amina encouraged listeners to embrace their growth path, be good listeners and students, and avoid self-sabotage. She emphasized the importance of mindset and taking action to achieve their dreams. She also shared her personal experiences of overcoming adversity and building a successful career, urging others to seek her out for mentorship and support.