From Telkom to Startup: What I Gave Up and What I Gained

In 2020, I had a stable job at Telkom Kenya. Good salary, benefits, clear career path.

In 2022, I left to work full-time on SokoSuite. Here's what changed.

What I Gave Up

Stability: No more predictable paycheck. Some months are good. Some aren't.

Structure: No manager setting priorities. No team to delegate to. Just me and the work.

Social Proof: "I work at Telkom" means something. "I run a startup" gets mixed reactions.

What I Gained

Ownership: Every line of code, every decision, every win—it's mine.

Speed: Need a feature? Build it. No committees, no approval chains, no waiting.

Learning: I've learned more in 18 months of SokoSuite than 3 years at previous jobs combined.

The Real Difference

At Telkom, I was good at my job. At SokoSuite, I'm building something that matters to me.

The money will come or it won't. But at least I'll know I tried.

Would I Go Back?

Ask me in a year.