Sarah Mitima
My name is Sarah Mitima, and I am the Marketing Supervisor at Bboxx DRC. My journey with Bboxx began nearly six years ago when, as a final-year undergraduate student, I seized the opportunity to join the company. I aspired to make a mark in marketing, and Bboxx provided the perfect platform for my ambitions. Over the years, my experience has been immensely rewarding, marked by substantial personal and professional growth.
One of the most significant challenges I have faced in my role has been the opening of new stores. These moments come with immense pressure, primarily because I often can’t be on-site to ensure our high standards are met. To overcome this, I rely heavily on my colleagues responsible for different regions. Building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect has been crucial in navigating these challenges successfully.
Every new store we open in DRC makes a tangible difference in the lives of local families, providing them with electricity or enabling them to switch from charcoal to LPG for cooking. My work as the Marketing manager has been to educate many internet users about the benefits of renewable energy. When I joined Bboxx DRC in 2018, there was a significant lack of understanding about why people should pay for solar power, which is free and accessible to everyone. Through extensive awareness campaigns on radio, television, social media, and market-storming activities, we have significantly shifted this perspective .
The opportunities for growth and development at Bboxx have been many. Each new shop opening has brought its unique challenges, teaching me invaluable lessons and allowing me to grow. Launching new products like the Mwinda kit and the Bboxx Cook project are milestones I am particularly proud of. These projects succeeded because of thorough planning and effective communication among stakeholders, including operations, logistics, and marketing teams.
What sets Bboxx apart from other companies in our industry is our flexibility, meritocracy, and culture of accountability. From day one, I understood that our results speak louder than our words, which has driven my performance and career progression within the company.
The culture at Bboxx is something I really appreciate. It’s flexible and resembles that of a startup, breaking down barriers between employees and management and fostering team unity. The flexibility of Bboxx has had a profound impact on my personal and professional growth. The frequent changes we undergo, driven by evolving objectives, bring new challenges and learning opportunities. This has shaped me into a problem-solver who seeks solutions rather than dwelling on issues.
Bboxx’s commitment to sustainability and social impact is evident in initiatives like tastings and demonstrations of our Cook kits in front of our shops. We have also organized educational sessions to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of using gas kits over traditional methods, particularly focusing on forest conservation. Today, cities like Goma and Bukavu have a better understanding of these benefits, thanks to our efforts.
For those considering a career at Bboxx, my advice is to be open-minded, ambitious, courageous, flexible, and patient. A willingness to learn is essential because Bboxx offers opportunities for career advancement based on merit. Age or race is not a barrier to success here, and that is a value I deeply appreciate.