Suraj KE: Building Gondwana - The 7 Years Nobody Saw

Suraj didn’t “blow up.” He toiled. From playing Hindu temples in his hometown of Kisumu, to DJing for drink vouchers, to taking years just to make his first KES 100,000 from music - this wasn’t a fast story. It was a patient one. He gave his early earnings to his mum. Got told “not yet” more times than he can count. So he stopped waiting. He built Gondwana alongside Euggy and two friends. Captain’s Terrace. Thirty people in the room. Two meals and two drinks as payment. And he kept going. Seven years in, the world finally started listening. What changed everything wasn’t luck. It was the choice to keep building - quietly - long before anyone was watching. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Access all our links in one place: https://lnk.bio/Financially_Inc 💹 Ready to start trading? 🔍 Who is FXPesa: https://shorturl.at/rWFqC 🎓 Learn how to trade: https://shorturl.at/xR2Ye 📊 Try a demo account: https://shorturl.at/izDMc 💸 Open a live account: https://shorturl.at/Od2ux Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:36 - Podcast Introduction & Guest Bio 5:05 - Meaning Behind Suraj’s Name & Naming Traditions 7:57 - How DJs Celebrate the Holidays 8:56 - Diwali vs Christmas in Kenyan-Indian Culture 10:07 - Best Gifts Suraj Has Ever Received 11:42 - Beginning of Suraj’s Money Story 12:57 - Pocket Money & Early Financial Independence 14:55 - Impact of Family Dynamics on Money Mindset 16:25 - Playing Music in Temples for Donations 18:27 - Deciding to Make Money Through Music 19:03 - Table Tennis Competitions & Income 20:45 - Egypt Incident Ends Table Tennis Career 23:39 - Move to Nairobi & Falling in Love with House Music 25:53 - Seeing DJ Tiesto Inspire DJ Career 28:03 - Discovering Virtual DJ & Learning to Mix 29:10 - Watching DJs at Events & Learning Live Skills 30:14 - Determined to DJ His Own Prom 31:23 - Learning Under DJK & First Club Sets 34:22 - First Club Gig Experience 35:19 - Telling His Parents About Career Choice 38:11 - First Paychecks: Drink Coupons & Prom Gigs 40:54 - Deal With Parents: One Year to Prove Himself 43:18 - Struggles in First Year & Missing 6AM Pick 45:27 - Trying DJ Schools & Practicing at Friend’s Place 47:32 - First Residency and Monthly Pay Begins 50:24 - Club Closure Leads to New Job Managing a Restaurant 51:55 - Balancing Restaurant Job & DJing 52:51 - Moving to Better Paid Residency 54:17 - Journey to Making KES 100K per Month 55:57 - Launching Temple Nairobi Events 57:21 - Mental Toll of Watching Others Succeed 59:28 - Budgeting & Reinvesting in His Career 1:01:09 - Public Perception vs. Reality of DJ Finances 1:01:40 - Launch of Gondwana & Afro House Focus 1:03:14 - First Gondwana Events: 25 People 1:04:14 - Booking Aluku Rebels & Record Label Idea 1:05:52 - Founding Gondwana Team & New Venue 1:06:47 - Sunday Shows at Captain’s Terrace Begin 1:07:20 - Positive Audience Feedback Sparks Momentum 1:08:42 - Building a Brand with Community & QR Codes 1:09:08 - Investing Show Profits Back Into Gondwana