My CV: From a Pizza Delivery Guy To Real Estate Company General Manager

By Tabitha Makumi,

For most people, the thought of going to work on their birthday is the worst thing they can possibly think of. If you are self employed, you might just decide to ditch work and indulge in birthday related activities. But not for Anthony B. Karanja who turned 40 on the day of this interview.

I meet him at his offices at Chaka Court off Argwings Kodhek Road where he tells me there’s no other place he would rather be other than at work. His phone vibrates every now and then and he apologizes with, “I am sorry. Since it’s my birthday, it will keep doing that.”

He grew up in Nairobi and had the privilege of attending one of best schools in Kenya. “I went to Saint Mary’s School Nairobi,” and just like you are proud of the schools you went to (or maybe not), he says with a smile, “It’s where the likes of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Lupita Nyong’o went to.”

From St Mary’s he went to Missouri State University for a degree in Economics where he majored in Supply Chain Management. “My first job at college was at Dominos Pizza Enterprises where I worked as a pizza delivery guy,” he reminisces.

And how much was he earning then? “About five dollars and 25 cents an hour but I would make more from tips,” he explains.

After graduating in 2001, he landed a job with an insurance company as a Claims Analyst and after working for a period of two years and nine months; his heart was no longer in it.

“I always wanted to start something of my own and since I enjoy good music and entertainment in general, I decided to venture into events management where I would bring the likes of Eric Wainaina, One Man Guitar and DJ Adrian for Kenyan themed parties in Kansas City. With time, I felt I was limiting myself and decided to go big by promoting major stars such as Lil Wayne & Snoop Dogg.”

But in 2004, he decided to pack up and come back to Kenya.

“This is home,” he replies after asking why he would leave the ‘good life’ for Kenya. “I came back with a bucket list full of dreams of what I wanted to accomplish once I got here.”

With employment out of the equation, he says the goal was to work for no one else but himself.

“I opened two barbershop branches, sold them after a while. Later opened a cyber café, sold it,” he adds that he tends to do that (selling) a lot.

Today he has his own real estate company dubbed Fifth Quarter Ltd where he serves as a General Manager

“I oversee all activity of the organization and provide strategic direction by facilitating smooth transition from inquiry, sales to title deed delivery,” he explains his job description.

Would he ever consider going back to employment? Without thinking much he says, “I am afraid it wouldn’t offer me what I want.”

On whether or not he is content with his life as it is now, he says, “I think content is the wrong word. If you are content with the way things are, it means you won’t push yourself to do more and I like pushing myself.”

He shares that most young people are failing in their endeavors because at the back of their minds they have a plan B to fall back on if things don’t work out.

“It’s either plan A or nothing. If you keep thinking I have my mum or someone else to help you out as my plan B, then you won’t give plan A your all,” he adds that finding a mentor at an early age is vital.

During his spare time, he doubles up as a motivational speaker. “It’s my Corporate Social Responsibility where I get invited to various schools and talk to young people on the importance of planning out their lives.”

In the same spirit, he shares 10 tips to live by:
1. Always put God first!
2. Choose 5 individuals to be part of your “dream team” who have your back no matter what. CHOOSE THEM CAREFULLY!
3. Take some time to smell the flowers and do the “little things”, they end up being the big things in life!
4, Always be patient, persistent and positive!
5. Life is too short to be pissed off for more than 10sec!
6. Be phenomenal or be forgotten!
7. Have a bucket list and try and tick off as many items as you can
8. Always keep feeding your mind! Self-development should never stop!
9. Your faith has to be greater than your fear.
10. Failure is never an option!!!

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