Karen Member Meet – Soiree // Celebrating Female Founders

Karen Member Meet – Soiree // Networking Event Celebrating Female Founders – #IWD2021.

The occurrences of the last year have thrown many individuals and organizations off balance. In the last month – just when we were all about to get back on our feet – we were thrown into a new limbo with movement restrictions, longer curfew hours, and being encouraged to work from home.

In a bid to brighten up today we’re sharing throwback news about our Karen Member Meet – Soiree that happened mid-last month. As part of our core mandate,  Nairobi Garage has built a tradition of hosting members’ events at all of our 4 locations in the city. One such is our Member Meets, a platform that allows our members to connect, unwind and network away from their office space.

Karen Member Meet – Soiree // Partners

Our first Karen member meet of the year was designed to celebrate female founders – in line with #IWD2021. The event was hosted in the lush gardens right outside our office block at Watermark Business Park – Karen. Attendees were treated to scrumptious snacks and drinks that were provided by our F&B partners of the day.

The event partners not only supplied fantastic food & drinks but they took center stage during our Open Mic session to speak about their brands & products. Our Open Mic sessions are designed to encourage innovative founders to share their elevator pitches, capturing the inspiration behind the creation of their companies and their journey so far in their particular industries.

Delia Stirling – the commercial director at Browns Food Co & Ke – shared the brand’s story which is made up of a long line of female founders who’ve brought the innovative organization to where it is today. Browns crafts natural, wholesome products using local natural ingredients that nourish the body, heal the earth, and sustain our land for future generations.

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Kenyan Originals, founded in 2018 by Alexandra Chappatte, was our other F&B partner. While its founder was unable to attend, her representative was able to paint a picture of a company that is innovatively creating a local beverage with a Kenyan kick. Kenyan Originals manufactures non-alcoholic & alcoholic beverages fruit ciders and iced teas blended with 100% real Kenyan fruit and tea.

Attendees got to taste their popular signature lime & ginger cider and hibiscus & lime iced tea variants among others. Kenyan Original’s mother company – Savannah brands – is under the VC funding portfolio of Chandaria Capital whose Founding Principal, Bruce Lule, hosted #AfterOfficeHours in the same month.

“Browns food’s canapes were a pleasant and tasteful delight and the cold cocktails by Kenyan Originals kept the mood light and the buzz going,” shared Symone Askah, event Hostess & Community Manager – Nairobi Garage // Karen.

Open Mic Sessions

Ideally, the meet events are exclusively for Nairobi Garage members, however, there was an opportunity to invite the greater Karen community.

A number of members speakers took up the opportunity to speak during the Open Mic session. Karen member Linda McGaw Co-founder DYNALIM Africa spoke about her founder and entrepreneurial journey. Sabrina Ejore, the Chief Executive Officer Precious Connections – a Kilimani member also spoke openly sharing her life and mental health journey with attendees. Fellow Nairobi Garage Kilimani member Edward Ndegwa from Smart Sales, a Nairobi Garage was also in attendance & had a chance at the Open Mic.

“It was evident that there was a real sense of community at the members’ meet. It was my first one of its kind and I felt comfortable as it was easy to network and speak to the members. All were warm and welcoming. This to me was a highly valuable experience.” Mel Aseneka, Community Manager – Nairobi Garage // Kilimani.

The evening event successfully brought together industry professionals and thought leaders to network and exchange ideas with the intention of building a community. We’re grateful for the presence of Nekesa Were Director of Strategy at Afrilabs, Esther Ndeti Executive Director of the East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA), Dr. Pete Odera, renowned singer, artist & lifetime achievement Groove Awards nominee as well as Joyce W. Musoke, actress, commercial model, and writer extraordinaire.

“Simply put, our March Members Meet was a gathering of great minds. Even as we masked up to stay safe, you could still tell the air was electric with a networking buzz. There was a myriad of business cards exchanged and business stories shared about the quagmire that was 2020,” said the event’s hostess – Symone Askah.

Malaika II Art Exhibition

The Karen Member Meet- Soiree also served as the official launch of the month-long Malaika II Art Exhibition hosted by  Art-A-Glance that was happening at the location to the delight of the attendees. The

The guests were treated to the unique experience of interacting with the Kenyan artists behind the exhibition who shared the thoughts & inspiration behind different art pieces on display across the office space. The exhibition was also in celebration of the female form, expressed by Kenyan artists.

You can enjoy some event images on our Instagram page.

Safety First

Due to the prevailing pandemic, measures were taken to ensure that the event followed all the Covid-19 guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health so as to protect all the people who were in attendance. Temperature checks right before allowing anyone into the venue, everyone was requested to sanitize upon arrival and constantly reminded to do the same throughout the event.  Finally, the event set up was outdoors, allowing for there was proper air circulation. All of this in line with our Covid-Plan that you can read here.

We do look forward to more opportunities in the year to host our members and innovative business community for more networking sessions.

Nairobi Garage Day Pass Offer 2021