You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel, HERE.

For this one, Akumu and Claire sit down with Nyambura Gichohi, one of the visionaries behind Ikigai (@ikigai). As a mother, entrepreneur, and design extraordinaire, Nyambura has redefined the concept of coworking and workspaces in Kenya. Her passion for bringing people together led to the creation of stunning, wellness-focused spaces that inspire creativity and productivity.

This episode was filmed and recorded at Ikigai Brookside and is brought to you by Ikigai: beautifully designed coworking spaces that cater to your every need. Their workspaces are designed to boost productivity and creativity while fostering a sense of community.

Timestamps for Specific Segments

(0:00 ) Introduction

(1:32 ) Introduction to Ikigai Brookside in Piano Building, Westlands

(2:40 ) How Nyambura Gichohi is connected to Ikigai

(3:11 ) Biophilic connection: the natural human connection to biophilia

(4:34 ) Who Nyambura Gichohi is beyond Ikigai

(5:10 ) Motherhood as a new part of her identity and learning from her daughter

(6:23 ) Parents not owning their children / not over-controlling them

(7:04 ) Balancing her identity as an entrepreneur vs. a mother

(8:49 ) The importance of "space"- where we spend a third of our lives

(10:05 ) Harvard Study about longevity and how humans crave connection

(10:58 ) How Ikigai thinks about space and the perfect coworking environment

(13:11 ) Architecting interaction as suggested by Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes

(15:02 ) The meaning of the Japanese concept of 'ikigai"

(15:58 ) Nyambura finding her ikigai: building Ikigai Nairobi

(17:16 ) Did she read the Ikigai book before or after naming the company?

(18:08 ) Have Akumu and Claire found their ikigais?

(19:07 ) The five-minute Yes Challenge that Nyambura sets for Akumu and Claire

(30:32 ) Nyambura rates the girls for the completed Yes Challenge

(31:53 ) How to design spaces for introverts vs. extroverts

(37:03 ) How to interact with Ikigai Nairobi - whether you are a member or not

(39:16 ) Her career trajectory: Had she always pictured herself as an entrepreneur?

(42:58 ) How she finally got started with entrepreneurship: listening to that calling

(45:34 ) Unrelenting support from the people in her life and the Ikigai team

(48:21 ) Are entrepreneurs born or made?

(49:39 ) Parents nurturing the right skills and opportunities with their children

(51:17 ) Focus on purpose and growth over perfection: trust the process

(53:03 ) The importance of value alignment and purpose

(57:05 ) What Nyambura has recently said "yes" to

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Important resources:

Follow Nyambura Gichohi:

https://ke.linkedin.com/in/nyamburagichohi 

Learn more about Ikigai and book a tour:

https://ikigai.co.ke/ 

Books mentioned by Nyambura:

• Ikigai by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
• Architecting Interaction: How to Innovate through Interactions by Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes

Related episodes about entrepreneurship that you should explore next:

Episode 70: Capital raising for entrepreneurs with ISBI Kenya

Episode 71: Making boss moves in the entrepreneurial world

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