ANDIKO ONNET GENESIS EDITION

“

Magic happens when you do not give up, even though you want to. The universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart,” unknown. I read this quote somewhere and it just spoke to me.

Itis common for us to feel a sense of fatigue and this can make us not have the energy to do the things we love or like . When I started Andiko I loved it , it would take me days to get an article together , a lot of sleepless nights but I loved it

.

At that point in time I knew that writing is the gift that the Almighty gave me . Then life happened and all of a sudden I felt overwhelmed and stopped or rather took a pause. Well, I am baaacckk!

A new year opens a new chapter, new opportunities to try new things or even just pick up from where you left. A good friend once told me , that our dreams are worth fighting for and that’s my mantra this year , let me fight for my dreams .

Yours Truly, Elsie

Contents

cover story

Andiko Onnet has been a dream and is now my journey , I take you through how it all started and how its going .

Why did I even start this **ish ?

How it all started……

To be honest , I don’t know , hahaha , it just felt right and once I started writing Andiko there was a sense of actualization or satisfaction

I felt, I just knew I wanted to do this . My relationship with writing is crazy or weird in the sense that no matter how much I stop or deviate from it , I just find my way back . For a long time I always prayed and asked God , what is really my purpose , I don’t know about you but I want to know what I was meant to be . I cannot imagine living life and not knowing who I am or what I was meant to do, I feel like that would be the epitome of emptiness. So to answer this question I am doing this writing thing if I may call it so, because I believe this is who I am a writer and writing is what I was meant to do. It is my purpose.

Well the story is now getting interesting, if my English teacher in primary knew I have a dream to be a writer he would laugh like crazy. I had and I think I still do have the worst spellings ever but it does not matter now because, hey a computer can handle that for me . Anyways back to the story, generally I was more good at humanities and languages as opposed to math and sciences . I thought I would be a Kiswahili writer, at some point I was even writing articles for Taifa Leo and they would actually publish my stuff . My Kiswahili was way better than my English , I was here thinking that I will one day dine with Ken Walibora (RIP) but let’s just say things are not as easy as they seem so I chose to stick to English with my bad spellings lol.

During this time , around 2010 , blogging was the in thing and bloggers then like Nancie Mwai , Joy Kendi , just to mention a few were thriving . If you wanted to be the “it girl” in campus those were the people to follow, from the fashion to the lifestyle I mean everything was wrapped up in a cute little bow

However, back at the ground things were different . My first try was Word Press and let me just say it did not work for me, so I switched to Blogger which I found user friendly and I tried doing something there but it was clear I am not a blogger , it was not meant to be .

Then came a ray of light ……

So here I am a whole graduate with a big dream that is literally on its dying bed and I get a job as a magazine writer . Kindly note it just wasn’t any kind of magazine , it was a pet magazine . So I do the job diligently, at that point I really admired Carol Mandi and Anna Wintour , they were and still are my role models . The job did not pay much to be honest in fact they paid me peanuts but I was happy , well this too was short lived . I was fired on the same day I was going to quit hahaha well it’s their loss allow me to petty for a minute the magazine closed down a few months later so clearly I wasn’t the problem , moving on swiftly ….

The birth of the idea

So by now , years have passed and I have somewhat forgotten about my passion for writing . The most I could do was write poems for the men I thought I was in love with, talk about being a hopeless romantic and funny enough I never ended up with the guys I wrote poems for, such as a waste of words smh, but I learnt a lesson I am not writing poems for men period hahaha. The world all of a sudden came to screeching halt thanks to the monster of a pandemic, Covid 19 . So we had to stay home , this period gave me time to think . I thought about so many things in my life , and I just started doing research about opportunities online and found out that most magazines are actually online . So in my head I am thinking wait a minute, print did not die , it just moved online . Surprisingly even the newspapers were now online and that is when the bulb lit up . I picked up the challenge and just started Andiko on Net meaning a publication on the internet and here we are an online magazine. One day I was arranging my woredrobe and I see a sticky note written “online magazine company “ on the door of the wardrobe . I cannot say when or why I wrote the sticky note but in my heart I knew this was the vision all along .

Why I love doing

this ….

There is just something about telling someone’s story that helps bring and put things into perspective. In this journey called life we learn from our own experiences and from those of others, we hear about these experiences through the stories that we read. I want to highlight those stories. I want to create a positive space where people can just talk about matters life through print.

Moral of the story …

Find the thing that God has made you to do , that is your craft or skill do it and He will bless the work of your hands .

Meet Adam Maina,

“Iam reserved and observant when it comes to meeting new people. I love to take time to observe and appreciate the beauty in the world around me, and I find joy in the little things. I am passionate about my goals and willing to work hard to achieve them. I have a strong work ethic and I am not afraid to take risks to reach my objectives. Professionally I am a travel and lifestyle digital creative and visionary founder of various lifestyle and media brands.”

Adam

Q&A

?Congratulations on being nominated among the top 100 influential young Kenyans , what advice do you have for young people who want to become influencers? Thank you so much. Here is some advice.......

1. Develop a Unique Voice and Style: Developing your own unique voice and style is essential for standing out as an influencer. Think about the kind of content you want to create and maintain consistency in your message.

2. Cultivate an Engaged Audience: The first step to becoming an influencer is building an engaged audience. Focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience, and be sure to engage with them on a regular basis.

3. Build Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with other influencers and brands is a great way to extend your reach and gain exposure. Research potential partners and reach out to them to explore potential collaborations.

4. Stay Organized and Consistent: Organization and consistency are key to becoming a successful influencer. Set realistic goals and create a content calendar to ensure that you’re creating content consistently and efficiently.

?Whatare the perks of being a social media influencer , is this something you always wanted to do?

No, I wanted to be a journalist. I started my journey by creating my twitter and posting content related to my interests and engaging with my audience in 2013. I also started engaging with other influencers on social media by commenting on their posts and sharing my content. Additionally, I started to create partnerships with brands, which has been great for increasing my influence and reach.

1. Increased Exposure: Being an influencer means you have the potential to reach a much larger audience than you would by just having a personal account. This means more exposure for yourself and your brand, as well as potential opportunities to collaborate with companies and brands in the industry.

2. Flexible Working Hours: As an influencer, you are your own boss and can choose when you want to work. You don’t have to follow traditional nine-tofive hours and can adjust your workload to fit around your lifestyle.

3. Financial Benefits:

As your following and influence grows, you can start to monetize your work through sponsored posts and paid collaborations. This can be a great way to make extra money or even become your full-time job.

4. Professional Development: Being an influencer gives you the opportunity to build and develop your professional skills. You can learn new skills such as creating content, editing, and developing your social media presence.

5. Creative Freedom: You have the freedom to be creative and post whatever content you want without having to conform to someone else’s rules or expectations. You can use this creative freedom to explore topics and experiment with different types of content to find what resonates best with your followers.

?

What would you say are the 5 must havetravel essentials?

1. A reliable power bank/external battery charger to keep your devices running.

2. A compact and lightweight backpack for storing your belongings and carrying your essentials.

3. Earphones or headphones to listen to music or podcasts while travelling.

4. When you are in and out of airports and places with a lot of people, it’s good to protect your financial information with an RFID Blocking Wallet.

5. A good suitcase can last years or even decades, so it’s important to choose one that will serve you well, whether you’re jetting off to a faraway destination or driving down to your favourite British seaside spot.

Samburu National Park is a great destination for a traveler looking for an incredible nature experience. With a wide range of unique species such as Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx and the Reticulated Giraffe.

Cape Town, South Africa is a great destination for travelers who are looking for a unique blend of culture, nature and adventure.

This vibrant city is home to many world-famous attractions, including Table Mountain, Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront. Visitors can explore the vibrant and colorful BoKaap area, take part in outdoor activities like surfing or paragliding, or simply relax on the stunning beaches.

Bali, Indonesia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, spectacular rice terraces, and plenty of cultural attractions. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Bali is sure to provide the perfect getaway.

?What are your top 3 travel destinations and why ?

?Tell us a little bit about your projects ?

Mtembezi Tribe: Mtembezi Tribe came about by the need to focus on educating travelers on sustainable travel practices. We are committed to providing travelers with experiences that are both enjoyable and sustainable. By targeting the new generation of travelers, we are helping to shape the future of sustainable travel. Afrika Curated is an interactive platform for readers to engage with African culture in all its forms. It covers a wide range of topics including traditional music and dance, art, food, fashion, architecture, and more. The publication also highlights African travel experiences and destinations, from safari trips to beach escapes. It celebrates the vibrant culture of

Africa and the people who make it their home, from the rural and urban life to the nomadic lifestyles of the continent.

Social Tribe is a full-service agency that specializes in helping brands and businesses grow their digital presence and reach in the Kenyan market. We offer digital marketing services such as social media management, content creation, search engine optimization, and website design. Additionally, we offer influencer management services, helping brands and businesses to leverage the power of digital influencers to promote their brand

and reach their target audience.

Republic Paper covers a wide range of topics from entertainment to sports, politics, and everything in between. Our mission is to provide accurate and up-to-date news to its readers. We are made up of a team of experienced journalists that are committed to providing quality content and reliable news sources. We strive to provide unbiased and timely coverage of current events in Kenya and around the world. In the immediate future we will be offering a variety of multimedia content including videos, podcasts, and articles.This makes it easy for readers to engage in conversation and share their opinions on various topics.

-SGR or Flight :I would choose SGR. Trains are typically more reliable, safer, and more comfortable than airplanes. They also provide a more scenic view of the countryside. Additionally, trains are more eco-friendly and require less energy than airplanes.

-Travel bag or Suitcase: I would choose a travel bag. A travel bag is a great option for those who don’t need to bring a lot of items with them on their trip.

It is usually smaller in size and lighter than a suitcase, making it easier to carry around. Additionally, it often has more pockets and compartments for organizing items, making it easier to find what you need quickly.

-Hotel or Air BnB: I would choose a hotel. I like the convenience of a hotel, like having a restaurant and other amenities nearby, as well as the comfort of having a room that is already cleaned

and ready for me to use. I also like that I can get room service, and I know that there will be someone at the front desk if I need help.

You’ll get to learn about the different species and their habitats, as well as the threats they face from poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change.

-Professional camera or Self phone camera :A phone camera is good for travel because it is more compact and convenient, and can fit easily into your pocket or bag. Additionally, many phones have powerful cameras with features that rival those of a professional camera, allowing you to take excellent pictures without having to lug around a bulky camera.

-Coast or The Mara: Going on a safari in the mara is a unique opportunity to not only view wildlife in their natural setting, but to gain an understanding of the conservation efforts taking place to protect these animals and habitats.

You’ll also get to see how local communities are working together to protect wildlife and their habitats. You’ll gain a better understanding of how humans and wildlife interact and how we can work together to ensure the survival of these species.

Additionally, you’ll get to experience the beauty of the different landscapes, from vast savannas to lush rainforests. It’s an unforgettable experience that will broaden your outlook on life and the environment.

social media yay or nay !

@lynnethebrand online strategist and our digital columnist talks about the steps we can take to be on top of our social media game and sheds light on how to deal with social media blacklash.

“ I have always said it is very much okay and healthy to take an online break especially as a content creator or influencer just don’t make it too long . But – before we get to the “breaking” point there is a way you can manage your social media so that you don’t end up closing the curtains prematurely.” Lynne

media is where the opportunities are and if you are not online you are basically nowhere. In as much as this wave has created new opportunities especially for the young entrepreneurs and redefined the job scene, there is a dark side to it. Often than not we have seen celebritiesdeactivate their social media accounts and even lost their “sanity” just because they could not keep up .It can all be too much from the fake life style to the online bullying to the lack of privacy and living in the critical and harsh eye of the public. We talk to @ lynnethebrand and she gives her two cents on just how do we manage the social media life.

Have a content calendar - This helps you to make sure you know what to do at what time and helps you know at what time you are supposed to take a break & have time for yourself.

Lynne : I would recommend one to schedule their social media time , because this will help in giving you time to also take care of other things away from social media. Have a purpose for being on social media & for doing what you are doing. What do you want to achieve using today’s content? Is it that important? If yes then find the best time to do it, set your timer & follow it to the latter.

Prioritize your real life - Yes social media is extremely important for content creators but at times it’s good to try & prioritize your real life. Also avoid parading your personal life on social media as it will be very hard for you to separate those two once you’ve already done that.

Exactly how can one manage their personal life and their online life as a content creator?

you separate your personal account and your business account?

Lynne : Yes You should, because by keeping them separate, you have more freedom to post the things you want to on your personal pages and keep your brand pages focused on things strictly related to your business. It also prevents your business from being overshadowed with personal posts, causing your audience to not be clear on what you are trying to sell/what you do. A personal account can be private as a way to share moments with just friends and family.

What

is your take on online bullying?

Lynne: I could give a thousand pointers but the best one is not to retaliate. Most of the guys who bully people online are fighting a lot of demons, some of them are very bitter with life & are just looking for an outlet. They just want a punching bag, if you show them that they can talk & you respond then trust me, they’ll never stop bullying you because they also want your response and they want to feel good because at least they are making someone else’s life uncomfortable mtoshane , You see, You see, No response is still a response. By not responding you are saving yourself from a lot of damage that can be caused by the two of you having that back & forth thing. Ignore them, act is if they don’t exist & continue doing you. You owe nobody an explanation, actually, you owe no stranger an explanation concerning anything. Don’t give online bullies too much power over life. Those guys will frustrate you .

Should

What apps would you recommend for businesses or content creators in 2023? : Lynne

1. InstagramInstagram is the new king of social media for brands, individuals and influencers alike. Not only is this platform essential for every modern marketer, it’s also a great way to escape and discover the world through your screen.

2. TikTok –Tiktok is for Gen Z what Instagram was for millennials: the cool new app that’s already a cultural phenomenon. It’s rapidly expanding to encompass all kinds of creators and, of course, companies. Jumping on the TikTok train might seem intimidating, but if you do it right you’ll gain access to a gold mine of new consumers.

3. LinkedIn –This professional social networking platform is the place to be for B2B marketers but it’s also essential for anyone looking to level up their career. There’s no better place than LinkedIn to generate new opportunities, forge valuable connections and build your brand online.

4. Canva –

Canva is an intuitive, userfriendly graphic design platform that lets anyone create high-quality designs in minutes. It lets you choose from thousands of different templates and size your images for virtually any social media channel, saving you tons of time and frustration.

5. CapCut –CapCut web is an online, free video editor with tons of features. It’s easy to use, no need for video editing experience. It also provides a variety of highquality materials with copyright for commercial use.

6. Facebook -

Of all the social networks, Facebook exposes your business to the broadest audience and offers the most comprehensive set of business tools. Facebook’s business tools help you build your online brand, create meaningful connections with customers and potential employees, and increase overall productivity. Facebook has more than 2.91 billion active users, making it a vital platform for small business sales and social media marketing.

7. HootsuiteHootsuite is a social media scheduling tool mainly used by enterprise-level agencies. It is comparatively a complex tool to use for scheduling your Social Media Content.

8. Ads ManagerAds Manager is your starting point for running ads on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger or Audience Network. It’s an all-in-one tool for creating ads, managing when and where they’ll run, and tracking how well your campaigns are performing towards your marketing goals.

Afterall is said and done , maybe sometimes you do need to take a break and yes, It is very much okay & healthy to take an Online break. However avoid taking veeeery long breaks as it will be very hard for you to catch up with everything when you come back. It is advisable to set a limit or timeframe & make sure you follow it. Make your own rules while you are on that break & stick to them. These will help you not to lose yourself while you are on that break.

wine with Rahab

Hello wine lovers! Happy New Year, a wine-filled year hopefully. I figured I would better write this article before I get knee deep in Champagne and whatever else they will be serving on new year’s eve (though a little bird told me they will be serving free flowing sangria). Honestly, I will take anything (so long as its wine.. haha) after the kind of year I have had. 2022 has been quite the year..many highs, many lows and everything in between.

My biggest highlight of the year was getting over my impostor syndrome and actualizing two of my biggest dreams-THE WINE FAIR and UNWINE (my line of wine scented candles). New Year’s Eve is a significant day for most as we all look forward to a new year, new beginnings and a chance to do things differently. That’s why we make New Year resolutions and take time to create vision boards to remind us of all the dreams and goals we hope to achieve by the end of the year.

Did you know as wine lover, connoisseur or enthusiast you can have a wine inspired vision board? That premium wine you have been saving up to buy, that home wine bar you desire, that wine region you dream of touring, that wine event you can’t wait to attend..put it on your vision board darling. On this article, I will help you explore some of these ideas and how you can achieve them.

1. A HOME WINE BAR

At the beginning of 2022, I made a promise to myself that I would build my own wine haven at home so I turned part of my home office into a mini wine bar. So, how can you create your own wine bar at home? Pick a space in your house, could be your dining room, home office or a room you don’t use (never store your wine in the kitchen, wine should be stored somewhere with a cool, even temperature). Depending on the size of your space, you can start building a wine rack or storage shelf that will fit the space. While you build your wine storage space, start curating your wine collection. I always advise people to invest on the wines they love and drink regularly so your wine is steadily rotated and nothing expires before consumption. The good news is, you don’t need to buy all the wine at once. It took me months to fill up my wine bar and budget for a few bottles every month.

2. WINE TOURISM

Wine tourism also known as oenotourism or vinitourism is a tourism whose main purpose is to visit wine regions for consumption and purchase of wine directly from the wineries or vineyards and attend wine festivals. For decades, wine enthusiasts have embarked on expeditions to various wine regions to learn more about wine culture, history and traditions. The idea is to visit the wineries, participate in the harvest of grapes, do wine tastings and get to know and appreciate the world of wine.

There are many ways to explore wine tourism. Every year, major wine regions host wine festivals and events that you can look up online. You can plan ahead by saving for these trips months before they happen. This year, I hope to attend the Route Du Champagne and San Mateo Festival. Be on the lookout for the next Wine Fair event if you are looking to attend a fabulous wine event locally.

3. PREMIUM WINE COLLECTION

Whether you are a wine connoisseur or you just recently discovered your love for wine, collecting wine is an exciting way to learn about wine and refine your palate. However, premium wine collecting is not for everyone, most of us just want to buy wine we can consume right away or in a few weeks. Wine lovers who collect premium wines spend a fortune on this expensive hobby.

Most of them collect rare bottles that they can resell at auctions or keep as a prized possession while others collect fairly priced wines they can consume after a while. Just because you don’t have millions to spare for rare bottles doesn’t mean you can’t have your own wine collection. With proper research (use apps like VIVINO) and planning, you can have a fabulous collection of brilliant wines that age incredibly well and cost a reasonable price. Start with your favorite grapes from wine regions that are considered to produce valuable wines (like Bordeaux, Barolo, Rhone Valley and Loire Valley) that are within your budget. You can decide to splurge on a few bottles occasionally. Whatever resolutions you make this New Year, I hope they are good for your physical and emotional well-being. May they genuinely bring you happiness and all that you desire for 2023 and all the good wine..haha. Cheers and Happy New Year beautiful people.

thank you for reading !

My sincere gratitude to all who contriuted to the making of this issue . We at andiko onnet are content curators and we claim no copyrights to the images used in this publication unless stated otherwise, neither do we use the images for profit . Our content is purely for entertainment purposes .

ANDIKO ONNET