Mitumba Shirts, Burnout & Digging Shambas - Brian Longwe | Coffee Pump (E129)

Konnichiwa Fam, Everyone I've had on this series kept saying the same name, so we closed AfPIF Kigali with Brian Munyao Longwe. Before he helped bring the internet to Kenya he was washing mitumba shirts and selling them out of a briefcase in Nairobi offices, and he got his first tech job by knocking on every door from ABC Place to town until someone said yes. He talks openly about burnout, the shares he forgot to ask for, and getting sober eight years ago. This episode was recorded at the Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum (https://www.afpif.org) in collaboration with the African IXP Association (https://www.af-ix.org) - ​@AfricanIXPs We talk about: – A Harvard MBA dad with a gambling problem, and 27 houses by age 27 – Washing mitumba shirts and selling them to men in offices out of a briefcase – Knocking on every office door in Nairobi for a week to land a 4,000 bob job – Starting Corporate Computers and selling PCs at 250,000 with no elevator – Walking away from his first company and handing back his shares – Fixing a family's email by accident and discovering the internet – Kenya's first always-on connection, a 64k pipe and a launch at the Serena – Burnout, sleeping under the desk and what it took to break the pattern – Building ISP Kenya, the golf course merger that became Wananchi, and leaving with nothing – Eight years sober and the counsellor who told him to stop being an idiot – The email from his 9-year-old daughter that ended his life out of a suitcase – What he thinks happens to Africa's digital economy in the next five years Hope you enjoy the episode. Best, Team Coffee Pump Order Our Coffee and Wallpapers: https://wa.me/c/254707696969 Our Coffee and Tea Is live! Order from our website: https://coffeepumppodcast.com/shop Join Our Membership and get access to videos early: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkZKGnWZWb-S9wJdz9IGDTw/join Support The Channel: MPESA: 0707 69 69 69 Pay Bill: 542 542 Account Number: 069 420 Find Brian Munyao Longwe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-munyao-longwe-25432/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianlongwe/ AfPIF and AF-IX: Africa Peering and Interconnection Forum: https://www.afpif.org African IXP Association: https://www.af-ix.org @AfricanIXPs Find our host Sajid Vayani: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Coffee Pump Spotify, Apple and Socials: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro 2:25 – Brian's Upbringing, Working as a Waiter & Selling Thrifted Clothes 11:18 – Brian Job Hunting, First Tech Job & Setting Up His First Company 21:49 – The Currency Crash & Computer Training 29:01 – Store-and-Forward Telecommunication & Internet Genesis 31:46 – Brian Getting Fatigue & Burnout 33:11 – Brian Joining Mission Aviation Fellowship & Setting Up ISP Kenya 37:20 – Overcoming Burnout & Financial Independence 42:47 – Brian Leaving Wananchi Group, Shares & Company Consolidation 47:37 – Alcohol Addiction & Brian's Wake-Up Call in Malawi 52:46 – Brian Working for Mobicash, Traveling the World & Family 58:49 – Brian's Dad's Death, Airport Trauma & Job Hopping 1:03:58 – Brian's Family & Relationship Advice 1:07:40 – Brian's AfPIF Highlights, Fintech, Energy & Retirement Plans 1:14:27 – IColo's Rebrand & Nairobi 2 Data Center Launch 1:15:08 – Brian's Facebook Account & LinkedIn 1:17:00 – Outro Disclaimer: The content of The Coffee Pump Podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Coffee Pump Podcast, its affiliates, or any associated entities. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be construed as professional advice in any field, including but not limited to legal, financial, medical, or business matters. Any statements made about businesses, products, or individuals are based on personal experiences and opinions and are not meant to be taken as fact or a definitive review. The Coffee Pump Podcast does not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or consequences of using the information discussed. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions, conduct their own research, and seek professional guidance where appropriate. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that The Coffee Pump Podcast is not responsible for any actions or decisions made based on the content provided.