Things I Learned from My First Month Working for a Zimbabwean Startup
If you had told me a month ago that I’d be working for a startup where I was late for the interview and had put the wrong contact details on my CV, I would have thought you were delusional. Even more surprising is that people in Zimbabwe are brave enough to start such a risky venture, given the country’s economic challenges.
This blog post is a quick summary of some of the lessons I’ve learned in my first month at Kesawa.
Your Lens Is Everything
In Zimbabwe and in most developing countries facing economic difficulties, currency instability, and high unemployment, people generally aren’t optimistic about the future. Even I had my mind set on leaving the country, either through a master’s program or a remote job. So stumbling upon a group of people willing to start a tech business here, betting on their ability to survive and thrive in this environment, was a real eye-opener.
This leads to my first key lesson: everything depends on the lens through which you view your life.
Our company director, Jen, constantly reminds me that the way you perceive things determines how you react to them. If you see every inconvenience or challenge as an overwhelming failure, then that will become your reality. But if you start seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth, your life will feel more fulfilling and driven.
I get it—when you’re stuck in a difficult economy with collapsing services and limited job opportunities, it’s hard to think positively. But shifting your perspective from negativity to optimism helps you recognize opportunities instead of focusing solely on problems.
Nietzsche once said that the universe doesn’t care about you, and many people take this as a reason to be indifferent. But in reality, his philosophy teaches us to carve our own path. It’s a reminder that your life is in your hands you have the power to change your reality.
So, to sum it up: your perspective shapes your world. Choose it wisely.
Customers, Customers, Customers
The one phrase that has been drilled into my head over the past month is: “What about the customer?”
Customer service in Zimbabwe is generally poor, given the economic climate. Most people are simply doing the bare minimum to survive, often working jobs that barely pay enough to get by. Everyone is hustling, flipping products for the highest possible margin.
Jen has a strong background in sales and customer relations and knows firsthand that how you treat customers matters more than what you’re selling. She constantly reminds me:
"People don’t buy products; they buy people."
No matter how great your product is, if the customer experience is terrible, nothing else matters. Customer experience is everything. A positive interaction keeps people coming back and spreads through word of mouth. A bad one does the exact opposite.
Even as we build the backend system for the platform, we are constantly thinking about the customer journey, ensuring a seamless experience from the user’s perspective. One issue that stood out was the lack of package tracking in Zimbabwe’s shipping system. We made sure to incorporate tracking from the start, making it a core feature of our platform.
A smooth shopping experience means customers will return and refer others. A frustrating one? They’ll leave and never look back.
It's a Team Effort
A startup's success hinges on collaboration. No single role is more important than another.
It's tempting to think your job is the most crucial. A product manager might believe they're at the heart of everything because they build the product. But without customer service reps building relationships or marketers increasing visibility, the company simply wouldn't grow.
As the saying goes:
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
The people I work with bring diverse personalities and experiences, helping me see things from different viewpoints. They infuse their unique flair into our daily work, making it far more enjoyable. We're all on different journeys, but we're currently in the same boat.
Witnessing my colleagues' effort and creativity has motivated me to work harder. Trying to do everything alone would be exhausting. Different people bring distinct skill sets that complement each other. A strong team not only gets work done faster but also provides support during tough times and helps you see things from perspectives you might not have considered.
Good Leadership and Shared Decision-Making
I've never worked for a well-established company, but I've quickly learned that startups are intense. You're actively building a service and a platform, and a single misstep can significantly impact the entire business. That's why strong leadership is crucial.
There were mornings when I started feeling overwhelmed, but a quick team huddle, a few jokes from Mr. Taps and Jen, and a strong coffee always helped me refocus and get to work with Craig.
I've observed two key qualities in Jen and Mr. Taps:
- They effectively motivate their team.
- They clearly explain their decision-making process.
When everyone understands the end goal and the company's direction, decision making becomes much smoother.
Initially, I dreaded team meetings where everyone shared their progress. I thought they were a waste of time, and I just wanted to get back to my project. But over time, I realized my approach to certain tasks was flawed. Listening to my colleagues helped me see things from different perspectives and improve my work.
At our startup, we share everything from hiring decisions to choosing clients and even handling difficult situations like letting someone go (which, surprisingly, happened in my first week). The company operates with a flat structure, meaning everyone has a voice. This fosters a team that's more flexible, dynamic, and aligned.
Final Thoughts
My first month at a Zimbabwean startup has been a whirlwind of confusion, growth, and learning. I’ve faced unexpected challenges, like where else would I have ever learned cold-calling techniques or been taken through a sales process in my normal day-to-day life?.
From shaping my mindset to understanding the importance of customers, teamwork, and leadership, this experience has been eye-opening. If there’s one key takeaway, it’s this:
Success in a startup isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about the people, the culture, and the ability to adapt.
I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next!