2020 was clearly a different year. While some of us fantasized about leisure and had to hang our coats to bake the banana bread that suddenly become a leisure activity through the peak of the covid-19 pandemic, people had better projects.
One of those people is blogger Dan Mbugua, he had a different goal. To him the Banana bread was so cliche, so he birthed NewsTrends, a baby he’s raised so passionately through 2020 like his life depends on it.
To be Kenyan enough, I’d go with ” Kwani you people had big projects in 2020 besides Netflix and chill”? Looking at his blog one year later, it feels so fulfilling even from a readers perspective.
I had a chance to speak to Dan about his journey, his moments at NewsTrends and the beats he’s been listening to for him to be so on track and bold with his writing.
This is what he had to say:
- Give us a brief profile of yourself.
My name is Dan Mbugua I am a communications specialist and blogger at https://newstrends.co.ke
2. Share something interesting about yourself
I love training in choral music and singing in a choir.
3. What attracted/inspired you into blogging
I started blogging in 2020. www.newstrends.co.ke is my “COVID-19 lockdown project”. I thought about how I would utilise my time during that time so that’s when I started. I write about business, technology gadgets, lifestyle, health, sports among others. Newstrends.co.ke is a blog for readers who want more.
4. You could have written about anything, why this niche specifically?
I’m passionate about business trends and I wanted to create a platform that businesses and individuals can leverage to tell their stories to the world. As a gatekeeper, I sift through all incoming news leads and cover stories that resonate with our readers. There is always a new article for readers daily. The goal is to tell stories in a simple and precise form.
5. What accomplishments are you proud of most?
I am very proud of the blog so far. I have been able to cut a niche of ardent readers and their feedback has helped shape my storytelling.
6. If you could sit down with your 13-year-old self, what would you tell him?
To learn web and software programming as well as master the art of digital marketing because in that there is money.
7. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Friendly. Musical. Openminded.
8. If you could time travel, where would you go?
Austria, 1700’s and early 1800, to see and listen to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart one of the renowned music composers during the Classical Period. Music from the Classical Period is orderly, balanced, and clear.
9. What is the weirdest food combination you have ever tied?
Pizza with pineapple toppings – Never again
10. If you were not a blogger, what would you be instead? Do you have a day job?
I would still be a writer, I’m passionate about storytelling.
11. Of all the posts you have ever written, which one is your favourite? why?
So many. All articles I have written about covid-19 awareness and prevention because were about life and death.
12. What is the most difficult thing you ever had to do?
I had to redesign my blog after a theme I was using crashed and changed website hosts because of chronic downtime.
13. Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
Well, I do not have just one influential person. In every space such as music, blogging, academics I have several people I look up to. When you go with one, you are courting disaster.
14. What is your obsession?
Music. I train in choral music.
15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Follow your heart and just do it – of course, the good things
16. Where do you see Dan Mbugua in 5 years time?
In a good space, maybe as a trendsetter, a thought leader or on the fold just be comfortable enough with the price tags while shopping at the supermarket.
17. Is there a quote/mantra you live by?
Is better to die trying than living without doing nothing
18. If you would be a superhero, who would you be and why?
I don’t read comic books or watch such movies.
19. What lessons have you learned the most from 2020 and how do you plan to make a difference?
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.
There are so many things I admire about Dan and I’m sure you do too. Please subscribe to his blog http://www.newstrends.co.ke/,or follow him on Facebook https://www.facebook.