Today YBI meet an interesting startup who
believes in Data safety, our Interview with Carla Viezee the Marketing Director
of File It Africa a start up who can see the future in a different perspective. What it means to be creative take a few
minutes to read the interview.
- YOUR NAME: CARLA VIEZEE
- COMPANY NAME: FILE IT AFRICA
- POSITION: MARKETING DIRECTOR
- COUNTRY: KENYA
- SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am a Kenyan
and have been in the service industry for 25 years, and became known for
creating Pasara, a popular sandwich bar in central Nairobi. I currently own a
small Bed and Breakfast. Although not an IT person, I believe that the IT
revolution currently happening in Kenya and beyond is one of the most exciting
periods in history, as it empowers all Kenyans, whether rich or poor. I have
two adopted children. My passion for travelling takes me to exotic new lands
and cultures.
- WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BUSINESS?
- We started in July 2011
- DID YOU START IT A LONE OR WITH FRIENDS?
With a friend
- WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS NET WORTH?
File It Africa
is a new business and we have invested about Ksh 6 million
- ARE YOU A START UP WHAT KEEP YOU GOING IN THIS
WORLD OF COMPETITION?
Yes we are. Our
service is very innovative for the Kenyan market at present. We use social
media as one of the main platforms of engagement with potential and current
clients. It is the most important way to communicate a message, through mind
share rather than immediate market share aims. As our service is digital, so
must our marketing strategy be to compete effectively. However, Kenyans still
much appreciate being able to have one on one conversations about the service,
especially as it is a concept that requires demonstrations online and on the
customer’s computers.
- HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR WORK?
I have a ‘to do’
list, a diary and regular meetings with my business partner.
- WHAT MOTIVATED YOU?
Both my partner,
KadriHumal and I lost our data through computer crashes and viruses in a flash.
We wanted a secure and above all easy way to store our information away from
our laptops, so it would give us the security without having to manage it. We
found cloud storage and immediately fell for it.
- WHY THAT BUSINESS AND NOT THE OTHER?
IT is the growth
industry, and the government of Kenya actively pushes for a very well
‘connected’ population. The dependency on digital data (and its safety)
increases exponentially with this policy. In Africa, power surges and cuts,
theft and the popular use of flash drives (with viruses!) make the data much
more vulnerable to loss or damage than elsewhere in the world. The huge
popularity of the mobile phone, requires access to data in the cloud- due to
very limited memory on the phones. Therefore cloud storage is a growth business
- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Since July 2011
- WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?
- The people we meet often haven’t thought that much about how dependant they are on the data (until it is lost). Some live with the happy idea ‘that it will not happen to me’, and wish to stay in that state of mind- in spite of the evidence against it. They are still in the process of getting used to the idea of backing up- and therefore are often not sure if they really need it. A second challenge is that our service can be virtually purchased and set up. Many are still reluctant to buy on line- in spite of the ease of it. Lastly, wiki leaks has made them worried about the safety of their information, away from their premises.
- HOW DID YOU OVERCOME?
Educating the
public on the safety measure in place, showing them the benefits of our service
such as automated backup (no management required), and access from any internet
point and giving people the opportunity to speak with clients who use the
service.
- WHAT IS THAT ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE
YOU STARTED THAT COMPANY?
When introducing a service at the beginning of
a product life cycle requires test marketing.
- ONE ADVISER TO START UPS AND UPCOMING
ENTREPRENEURS LIKE YOU?
Test your
product or service in a segment of your target group and see the reaction use
it as a base for your marketing strategy.
- WHO INSPIRE YOU, LIKE A ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
Richard Branson:
he is open to any new ideas and is willing to try them, using the people who
have the idea.
- WHAT ARE SOME YOUR PHILOSOPHIES IF ANY?
If you believe in yourself you can move mountains, and others will
follow you easily
- If you were to start a company what kind of
unique product would you invest in?
File It Africa
- MOST YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IN THEIR EARLIER
ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIFE, WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT YOU WOULD GIVE TO THEM. EG.
MENTORING, ADVISING, CONNECTING, SHARING YOUR NETWORK.
Advising
- HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEAR?
The world is
moving to cloud at a rapid rate. Our service will be needed by anyone who has
digital data. We expect a large growth rate. New IT inventions will require to
stay ahead of the game, constantly innovating our services.
- WHAT KIND OF CONNECTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE TO
MAKE YOUR BUSINESS GROWS?
An investor who
sees the potential of East Africa as an IT community
Your website,:www.file-it-africa.com
YBI.International.
Shares with us your story,
yourbigideatv@gmail.com.
if you are a start up or a well established entrepreneur.
