#AWPOWERFIFTY: Tania Habimana
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur OR take your career in the direction you did? Is having your own business OR this role you are in something you always wanted?
Entrepreneurship has always been a part of my life. As a teenager, I discovered that managing and leading people, and finding a way to bring the best out of them as well as being able to put ideas together into real, tangible projects came naturally to me. And the truth is, I just genuinly love business - I love economics, how trade and money works is something that truly intrigues me. Couple this to my deep discontent with how Africa's social economic standing was and the state of unemployment in most African nations, I wanted to be someone that could somehow make a difference.
I quickly understood that I wasn't going to become a Dangote or a Masiyiwa, building massive companies with thousands of employees. Instead, I focused on creating a business that would support other small businesses, specializing in marketing and business development. Ultimately, with the philosophy that if we can support 100 businesses a year, and that each of these create 10 jobs each, that would be 1000 new jobs created annually, and that this number would continue to grow... hopefully in perpetuity.
And then, when it comes to my career pivot to becoming a TV news anchor, the honest truth is that it's a dream that came true. I always wanted to be a television presenter from the time I could just about speak. I saw myself on big international stages with presidents and superstars. And parallel to building my businesses, I slowly practised my skills in public speaking, seized every opportunity I could to be on a stage and eventually got my big break.
Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?
Desiree Brouwer, my business partner.
Desiree is someone who truly believes and lives out the value of partnerships. Her go-to, instinctive reflex to any project that needs to be brought to life is to seek whom to partner with. It was the missing piece to how I had previously viewed business and life. I was people (team) and project-orientated and Desiree added the element of ecosystem, the wider network - teaching me the lesson that the sum total of all the parts is greater than the sum of the individual parts.
How do you define success?
I define success as incremental growth, where I make continuous, small improvements over time while staying true to myself. It's about setting realistic goals, learning from each step, and steadily progressing towards my larger ambitions without compromising my character, values, or personality. I like to think of it this way, it's about not being in the same place emotionally, spiritually, financially, mentally, academically (in terms of skills) this year as I was last year.
Each small victory builds on the last. It's the journey of consistent progress, learning, and authenticity that defines true success for me.
One insight for anyone interested in the industry you are working in?
My field requires relentless curiosity, adaptability, and a strong ethical foundation. My advice to anyone interested in this industry is to stay curious and never stop learning, and be willing to start at the bottom. Especially with media and public speaking, it's highly competitive, so commit to staying in the game, be humble, work hard, and give it your all. Attend as many industry events and conferences as you can, and keep educating yourself, learn the latest trends, technologies, aim to become a master.
What is your one key guiding principle in your work life?
In everything I do, I aim for 80%. While striving for perfection is admirable, I've learned that getting things done is often more important than making them perfect. Our mission is significant - and here I refer to our collective mission in Africa that we have, as Africans - there's work to be done, there are lives to be changed and the truth is perfection can oftentimes be elusive. This doesn't mean settling for mediocrity but rather focusing on what truly matters.
I apply this philosophy in my personal life too. Since I can't do everything and be everywhere, I ask myself, "Will this matter in 10 years?" If the answer is no, it takes a back seat; if yes, I give it my all. I'm also very efficiency-oriented, constantly seeking ways to improve and optimize my efforts. Over time, this approach ensures that my 80% gets closer to 100% in delivery.
What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action your industry can take to Accelerate Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment? (this is the theme for INTERNATIONAL WOMENβS DAY in 2024)
For entrepreneurship and venture building in Africa, the solution is straightforward: we need more risk capital directed towards female founders. This should be a priority not only for organizations but also at an individual level. It means fostering and supporting the development of more female investors.
Statistics show that investors often lean towards investing in those who share similarities with them, whether it's the schools they attended, shared interests, or gender. By empowering and cultivating more female investors and female-led investment firms, we are likely to see a significant increase in investments in female-led companies.
In the media sector, the focus should be on representation. Ensuring diverse and accurate representation in media can influence societal perceptions and create a more inclusive environment for everyone. The media is a voice, quite literally. So with that view, we need to ensure that we have diversity in voices. It's about showcasing a variety of voices and stories, particularly those of underrepresented groups, to reflect the true diversity of our world and inspire future generations.
The three books that changed your life
The Bible
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Apps you cannot live without
Whatsapp - for speaking to my loved ones and let's be honest, 60% of the business comms are run from there.
Spotify - I lovvvve music. It's my calming mechanism, my uplifter, it's everything - even helps me sleep.
My password management app - OMG, I'd be so lost if I didn't have it.
Self-care rituals that keep you grounded
Prayer - I'm a total prayer girl. I start and end my day with it. It helps focus me, makes matters and problems feel less big and less overwhelming and quite literally, is my way of letting go of trying to handle things myself.
Regular Exercise - 2-3 times a week minimum, and whenever I don't do it, I notice a rapid difference in my mood, my productivity, the speed at which I process information and also my sleep. Working out is just everything.
Spending time with family- I am very big on family. They are everything to me and every moment I can have with them, I cherish