Joseph Gichunge: Jazza Centre’s Journey of Impacting Lives While Building a Business Empire

I maneuver past the famous ancient Paradise Lost on my way to meet Joseph Gichunge and his beautiful wife Leah Imaita, the founders of Jazza Centre.

I arrive at the serene environment of what looks like a luxurious home with a well-trimmed garden in Runda for the scheduled interview with Joseph, it is now clear why he wanted this interview to take place at their offices, the view and fresh air is extremely breathtaking.

Joseph walks to meet me a few minutes after I arrived and we sit down for our interview over a cup of tea and fresh queen cakes baked by the company’s trainees.

How does Jazza Centre operate?

“Jazza Centre picks youth from underprivileged backgrounds trains them for free then gets them jobs as domestic managers, gardeners, and customer service and tea girls,” Joseph says.

Jazza Centre was birthed in 2013 with the need to offer free training to young vulnerable Kenyans that come from a financially challenged background and job placement thereafter according to the Centre’s website.

In an era where most people grapple with unemployment and poverty levels are so high, Jazza Centre is a life-saver.

How did it all start?

“It began with the birth of our first born child; we needed extra hands to assist us in caring for the baby when we attended to our respective jobs, getting a good knowledgeable domestic manager proved futile,” Joseph opens up about a problem that is common in most households.

“We hired and fired for various reasons including drunkenness, arrogance, not being baby-friendly, stealing, poor communication amongst other reasons,” Joseph explains adding that the last Nanny was fired for reporting from her off-day drunk and that for him was the push he needed to begin Jazza Centre.

Leah, according to Joseph, as a new mother, was at this time beginning to realize how similar her domestic manager troubles were similar to that of her colleagues and chama members.

A conversation between the couple brought them to one realization; there was a huge market gap for affordable trained nannies and all-around domestic managers. They both began researching and putting together their savings with a resolution to fill in the gap.

The centre profiles each employee on the basis of educational background, experience, age, and character. They negotiate with them the salary to expect.

“We decided to deal with high-end homes because they seek quality work and are willing to pay above the minimum stipulated wage,” says Joseph adding that it hence dignifies the field that is marred with stigma.

Which is Your Biggest Financial or Career Loss?

“2018 was not very easy for us in business; we dropped a well rewarding contract half-way because it was short-term to take up one that was long-term but the decision was not timely so we lost both,” Joseph opens up.

“We have however moved on with great lessons and learned to be more confident in our decisions,” Joseph says adding that the lessons also broadened the company’s scope to other greater opportunities.

What is your Secret in making it in entrepreneurship?

“You need to have a very thick skin,” Joseph says adding that for one to survive in the industry they require to be extremely resilient.

“People tend to see the