Having enough affordable office space is one of the key elements that are key for a growing city. This is one of the reasons that inspired The Office, a co-working space that has shared office where entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers and small business owners can rent space (workstation) and share the costs of a full-service office. Dennis Agaba caught up with Jonathan Stever, the brain behind The Office, who shares about entrepreneurship and the concept of community workspace.

Entrepreneurship is more than having a dream – The Office chief

Jonathan Stever is the managing director of The Office, a community workspace that is building a collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kigali. The Office is a co-working space: a shared office where entrepreneurs, consultants, freelancers, small business owners, and remote employees can rent space (workstation) and share the costs of a full-service office. Stever is a role model and source of inspiration, especially for young entrepreneurs. Dennis Agaba caught up with him and he shares about entrepreneurship and the concept of community workspace, among other issues;

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I had worked in a development-related sector for many years, but wanted to work on something I truly believed was sustainable and would have a big impact.

Besides, my parents and many of my close friends are entrepreneurs, so I was naturally ‘pulled’ toward business since I am aware of the risks, the hard work required, as well as the rewards. What do you do on a daily basis to grow as an entrepreneur?

I constantly remind myself that I’m a student. The moment you think you know everything, is the moment you stop learning and growing… When I was starting out, I did not have any illusions. I knew it would require lots of hard work. The only thing that I was not prepared for is the diverse skills I needed to learn and use on a daily basis.

How do you stay focused in your day-to-day work?

I live by the "to-do” list. This helps me focus my efforts on the right areas.

How do you see the level of entrepreneurship in Rwanda?

Entrepreneurship, as it relates to high-growth or high-impact startups, is a relatively new phenomenon in Rwanda.

But it’s receiving a lot of support from the government, and there is an incredible amount of enthusiasm among the youth.

I am confident the entrepreneurial ecosystem that The Office is helping to build will help stir more interest in entrepreneurship among young people.

Tells us about your day…

There is no regular day anymore, especially now that we have a second location in Kacyiru in partnership with Tigo’s new think, a technology incubator.

Do you think running a business has made you a better person?

Yes…I have gained more knowledge and self-awareness. And remember, you learn so much when you’re running your own business.

You have to understand the accounts, the contracts, your customers and your services.

The process of working so many hours on so many tasks has also taught me a lot about myself.

I also gain all the benefits of working from The Office: I’m inspired every day by the amazing people working in our community workspace, we have a great support network, and I’m constantly learning from the different ideas, perspectives and approaches that you find in our community.

What has been your most memorable experience as an entrepreneur?

A friend once told me to "always expect the unexpected” when you’re running a business…I recalled the advice just before we launched.

I was painting desk frames two nights before our opening in October 2012, which I didn’t complete. The next morning, I found that some winged insects had got stuck on all the painted surfaces. So, it’s important to always remember that things don’t always go as planned, and to be ready to react to the unexpected.

What do you do to develop a good corporate culture?

We have a ‘high-five’ culture at The Office. It’s a really social and friendly gesture and all our staff are ‘high-five’ enthusiasts.

What’s your greatest fear as an entrepreneur?

The only thing an entrepreneur should fear is fear itself.

How would you like to be remembered?

I want to inspire people to know that they can be the engineers of their own dreams. I want to inspire people to re-think development and to stop viewing Africa as a place for handouts or support. I want to inspire people to build better societies through an emphasis on community and collaboration.

Looking back, what’s the one thing you wish you understood about entrepreneurship before you got started?

I wish I knew how fulfilling it could be. I would have started much earlier.

If you were to give a first-time entrepreneur only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Surround yourself with good people. You’ll need their support, inspiration and networks to keep you going during the tougher times.

************

What customers say...

Johan Erikson, programme director at Educat

The Office is an accessible place, where people who are seeking your services can easily locate you. Furthermore, it provides a good working atmosphere, and one mingles with different people of similar interests and vision thus supporting and learning from one another.

Personally, I enjoy working from there.

Mary Kirabo, leadership assistant at One Acre Fund

The Office hosts different events, where people socialise and network, exchange ideas, and also ease stress, especially during "Happy Hour”. The co-working space provides a great work environment; it’s refreshing and inspiring. I enjoy working from there.

Peter Kwizera, Kigali-based graphic designer

The Office provides affordable workspace, especially for people with small projects and little income. More so, it brings together different people with an entrepreneurship background, which makes it a place of ideas and inspiration. It is also full of creativity and innovation.

Compiled by Dennis Agaba

business@newtimes.co.rw