You may know him as @Sokoanalyst in business circles and online streets but Steve Biko is also a legal researcher, politician, lawyer, mechanic, entrepreneur and industrialist who sees blogging as a way of keeping sane. BAKE caught up with him and to know more about him; starting and ending with his favorite quotes…
Dear Entrepreneur, Fastest way to succeed? Make others absurdly successful; light candles for others, recommend others, send the ladder back down and never expose, counsel in public, and guide in private. Honor your word, let Integrity guide your steps, and Pray Always
Steve Biko
- Give us a brief profile of yourself.
I am a poet, first and foremost. The rest about me is what life has dealt me and how I have responded. I am a law graduate, with a certificate in legal research, a certificate in mechanics, and a creative writer with a penchant for business stories. I tell stories in the realm of money because few understand that money is a living thing from the ancient of days.
I am an entrepreneur running a publishing house with 15 employees, a data analytics firm with 10 employees, and am an industrialist with a keen interest in water, flour, juices, and honey. I am a very emotional man and to crown it all, I am a reluctant politician with a family to protect and provide for.
- Share something interesting about yourself:
Common sense defines my engagement with everyone. Injustice angers me to high heavens and blogging is what keeps me sane. Mental health is key issue that many of us have totally taken granted.
- What attracted/inspired you into blogging:
Everyone writes about gossip, fashion, current affairs and politics. When I started trading at the NSE, there was no news about business. It’s a difficult realm to write about. I took it upon me to get into it and write about business in away that made sense for the common investor. Fundamentally writing is my passion.
- What is the name of your blog and what is it about?
It’s called www.sokodirectory.com and its the best site with the latest information on anything business, money, investments, banking, insurance, forex, governance on business, stock market etc. It’s a niche site with a niche audience.
- You could have written about anything, why this niche specifically?
Few people can write about business in away that makes it rhyme like poetry for the common man to understand. I believe my gift is analysis. It makes it easier for me to break down the business jargon for the Common investor.
- What accomplishments are you proud of most?
The only thing I am proud of is that God has watched over me all this time. Yes, I have a voice but it’s because of him. Through social media, I have been able to grow and diversify into manufacturing. That for me is a huge deal that I Credit to God first and foremost.
- If you could sit down with your 13-year-old self, what would you tell him?
I would tell him to focus. That women will always be there. That the beautiful ones are not yet born.
- If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Poet. Father. Dissident.
9.If you could time travel, where would you go?
I would travel back to the time of King Solomon. The Bible says He was the wisest man and there never will be another like him. I would love to see how such a man lived. If not that time, the back to the days of Elijah.
- What is the weirdest food combination you have ever tried?
Chapati and Managu; It’s my favourite
- If you were not a blogger, what would you be instead? Do you have a day job?
I would be practicing law. My day job is running the Hidalgo Group of Companies, which has interests in media, data analytics, manufacturing, and consultancy.
- Of all the posts you have ever written, which one is your favourite? Why?
Difficult question. because favourite wouldn’t be fair. I would say, which one has had an impact and that would be the one I did the other day requesting to meet the President on behalf of SMEs.
- What is the most difficult thing you ever had to do?
Protect my reputation from allegations that almost every blogger has gone through and the issue of delayed payments from agencies to us influencers.
- Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
Hard question. There are several. Most are dead but still influence me, like Prophet Elijah, King David, King Solomon. The Living I would say my Bishop Morris Wanjala, Rev. Deborah Wanjala, and Overseer Joseph Wanjala all from the PEFA Church, Hon. Jimna Mbaru of Dyer and Blair and Prof Tom Ojienda.
- Besides blogging, what else do you do? What is your obsession?
I run two manufacturing firms and am into active politics. Got tired of complaining and I restore vintage cars.
- What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
My father told me, no matter what you do, let all your dealings and engagements be guided by God and their foundation be integrity, fairness and real.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A leading industrialist,owning a small bank froth western region, having a powerful publishing house in the region and a leading politician. But all these are committed to God as per Proverbs 16:1-5 and above all, a loving father.
- Is there a quote/mantra you live by?
Let your steps be guided by God. Let prayer be your source of energy and may kindness always be the sunlight in your life.
- If you would be a superhero, who would you be and why?
An Angel. A captain Warrior Angel at the service of the Most High. The Captain of the Host of Heavens. The undefeated Army.
- What lessons have you learned the most from 2020 and how do you plan to make a difference?
Lessons have been many. I would touch on a few; one, nothing is permanent, the only permanent thing is God, change, taxes, and death. Two, it’s important to be kind to all that you meet. That employees are very important and most of all, integrity is the currency of fuel.
- What is your greatest achievement?
Building a multi-million factory in Webuye for water and juices.
- What are some of the changes in the blogsphere between now and when you started out?
Change is inevitable. A lot has happened. Tech has changed a lot and am glad blogging has taken over traditional publishing.
- Advice to the budding blogger?
Fact check your content. Verify your content. Do not plagiarise. Be of integrity. Do not write false claims about anything or anyone and above all, be consistent and let integrity be your foundation.
Dear Entrepreneur, Success demands 8 things:
Hard work, sacrifice, faith, patience, passion, perseverance, prayer, and integrity
Steve Biko