Janet Machuka: The Bubbly Diva Behind Homepesa sacco

The delightful Janet Muchuka is a social media marketer, an author of ‘Pain in Success’, a book to be published, a blogger, a motivational speaker and the engine behind HomePesa Sacco.

The Sacco which was launched recently, is a brand of Innovation Holdings Company Limited that is fostered to enable registered members to be able to save and ask for loans. It is online based hence one of the digital Saccos in Kenya.

Janet explains that to qualify for a loan, members should have guarantors registered within the sacco or have security such as original title deeds or car logbooks. Locals can also send money to friends and relatives living in diaspora through the extended Hommeppesa brand. The sacco enables members to register using debit or credit cards from a variety of financial institutions such as cards Visa, Master Card, American Express, Paypal, Airtel Money and M-Pesa.

You might think that she is a lady established and in her hands holding her degree, but she is still a student at Moi University. She began her writing career back in 2013.  This was triggered perhaps by her background in Media Science at the prominent Uasin- Gishu County headquarters based University. It began with a simple objective- To earn some coins

She really did not know that her oozing passion for writing would land her the prestigious job at one of Kenya’s most established Media station in the country.

Her love for writing was escalated by the colossal audience she got from the multiple digital platforms she had established while at school. (Facebook, twitter, Websites, LinkedIn.) Janet knows too well that out of the abundance of the heart, speaks the mouth. Apparently, the heart can only be filled by what one consumes. Reading for Janet is a hobby she never struggles with. The wide reading enables her to understand the various wants that her audience may want met.

The bubbly campus diva says that the opportunity to market brands on social media increased her connectivity with other people. The experience at the Standard media as an online editor widened her scope and she has continued to pump in this knowledge only obtained from getting hands on the keyboard to key in ideas. This consistency is what Janet has continued to reap from. Over time, her name, Janet Machuka has become a brand. At the mention of it, people know what exactly she stands for.

Janet acknowledges the power of social media as a powerful tool to reach out to people. This is because most people have access to internet. With the internet accessibility available in most towns, the youth can access the online platforms.

This way, when she keys her articles and uploads them online, she shares the links. On clicking on the links then, the online audience can read her articles. Over time, her followers have increased. With an increased number of followers, her reach while marketing widens and that way she gets clients for whom she markets for.

Even after scaling so high on social media, Janet acknowledges that she could never have made it by herself. “A team is always needed to make it in social media marketing. No one makes it on their own.” she says.

She further reveals that twitter bigwigs really helped her understand the usage of twitter in marketing. She admits that Homepesa Sacco awareness was first identified through twitter hashtags that she together with her teammates worked so hard for.

Nothing comes easy for anyone climbing up a career at any one time. She has had to counter challenges in combining work and school. She has however not caved as she has managed to balance both. She knows too well that come what may, her education is key and must be given its due attention at all costs. She admits that it has been tough to meet the expectations of her audience as well as the standards set by her predecessors.

“Sometimes I walk into a meeting where a number will be expecting to meet a ‘big’ person only to meet a young brave personality” she giggles.

Janet says that in the world of today and in the economy of the country, Kenyans are becoming multi-skilled. They no longer solely concentrate on their career paths. They have a broad view and many have ventured into the entrepreneurial world .This she asserts is important.

Asked about what advice she would offer upcoming entrepreneurs, Janet says that start –up capital should not be a worry.

“Banks and Saccos have been established to lend such capital,”

She urges them to worry only about their ideas which need to be nurtured

Of importance she says is seeking counsel from others to know what exactly they want to venture into and be able to measure its viability among the people to whom it will be launched.

“Own your idea and execute all the efforts and power you have to get the entrepreneurial idea started.”

Janet reminds the youth that every journey starts with a single step making no room for fear of starting small.

In a field that many get confused and overtaken by events, Janet reveals she has a circle of friends whom she refers as mentors whom she looks up to.

“I have always wanted to be of positive influence to the society. My mentors ensure the achievement of this through giving me directions, instructions and corrections on how to tackle different situations in the most appropriate ways”

Janet concludes by challenging ladies to realize that they too have the power to contribute positively to the society.

“Every lady has a role to play in the world of today.”

She opines that women choose a path to follow for nothing is ever impossible for a woman who wants to help her society.

“It is never too early nor too late to wake up from your comfort zone. There is much to be done. You have the power,” she signs off with her ever present smile.