KUMBA OSMAN- KAMARA’S: DRAMATIC CAREER CHANGE THAT CHANGED HER LIFE

Kumba Blessing Osman-Kamara is the CEO and founder of FB Customized Weddings and Events. She plans, coordinates, and produces weddings, social occasions, non-profit as well as corporate events.

Kumba holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Sociology from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and a Wedding planning certificate from Penn Forster Career School, U.S.A.  

Prior to her work in the events management industry she has worked as Sales Executive at Capital Radio which has contributed to her career path.

She is a highly recognized national wedding/ event planner and decorator and industry expert. Over the years she has executed and designed corporate and social events with many clients that include amongst others high-profile celebrities and reputable companies including Octea (one of the largest alluvia mining companies), Orange Sierra Leone, Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant Committee 2009, Commercial Banks, movie launches and the Government of Sierra Leone.

She is the Chief Executive officer at Life is Beautiful Ltd one of Sierra Leone’s premier content creation company. The company has curated events two major The Salone Chit Chat Show and The Sierra Leone Wedding Expo.

In 2017 she curated her first award under the umbrella of Life is Beautiful Ltd; The Sisters Choice Award, an event which celebrates Sierra Leonean women who have excelled in their various sectors. This award which is held annually birth the Sierra Leone Women’s Foundation, an organization that promotes women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and equity.

Kumba is an Alumni of the U.S International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) for entrepreneurship and small business development.  She also seats as a member on the board of  Miss Sierra Leone Ltd.

You have a rich portfolio with different careers over a short span, was it intentional? Tell us the back-story.

After University, all I wanted was a job. Therefore, the first opening I had I grabbed it. I worked as a sales person for a travel agency and after a month moved on to a logging editor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and was with them for three months and moved on to Capital Radio as a sales executive.

When I first started working, I was getting a feel for corporate culture and trying to find out if I really enjoy what I was doing.  Then my days grew into frustration because I found out that I did not enjoy what I was doing. I was just there for the salary, earning a living. I did not find fulfilment and satisfaction in any of them.

Intermittently I find myself planning weddings and other events for my friends and my church.

One afternoon while I was doing my friend’s wedding invitation instead of my office work, it dawned on me that this was what I was cut out for. The same day I had a confirmation form a friend who worked in and said, “Why don’t you go into event planning”. That spark lit the fire.  I went home that day thinking. I put together a plan, researched, wedding and event planning and registered my own business that same week. It was spontaneous. I handed in my resignation letter and three months after I left my job to do what I loved doing.

What do you feel is the ultimate decision to make before switching careers?

Personally, it is a combination of decisions. For a person to shift from one career to the other successfully, there are four things that should be considered.

  • Clarity- you must be sure that you want to chart new territory

  • Courage- you should muster enough positive energy to move on

  • Confidence- This is key, know that this is what I want and I am going for it.

  • Competence-research and equip yourself for the new territory.

These I think helps achieve a positive outcome; otherwise, you will most likely struggle hard and fail.

Using three steps only, outline how to make a career change using yourself as an example?

Reconnect with your Early Life

Everything we become in life traces back to the seeds we planted during our early years. When I realized that I had no fulfilment in the jobs I was doing, I made a review. I looked at the things I loved doing and how I did them effortlessly. I looked at the things people praised me for and always wanted my involvement in. I loved organizing and creating things. I was known for putting together amazing plans for whatever event that comes, be it a birthday party, a conference and even a friend’s wedding. I always made sure those events wow all its attendees. So, when I got tired with what I was doing, I made a reconnect. I made a decision to move onto what I loved doing hence my present career.

Move on to what you Love

It is good to do what you love doing. I had to make a conscious effort to take the first step. My previous careers earned me money, I was good at them but not that I necessarily loved them. I hated seating in one position, filing many papers, following orders, routines and bureaucracies. The creative part of me did not allow that so I made up my mind to move on into what I loved. Even though I knew, there were challenges but I needed to take the bold step.

Make the Upgrade

Realistically, for a successful career change, an individual must be willing to upgrade and empower himself or herself. In my case when I realized that event planning was my passion and what I would find fulfilment in, I went on to take an online course in event planning. I made many consultations and I shadowed professionals in the field. It was an interesting journey and that made me realize the career is for me.

NOMINEES AT THE LAST SCA AWARDS

In your opinion what are the limiting factors for Women in Africa in terms of making career changes?

Various factors limit the African woman in career progression, though they may be interrelated.

 An African woman says ‘this career is not for me’ I cannot handle this; it is a man’s job.

 In many cases the importance of work, family balance, especially motherhood outweighs the career opportunities.

 The African women will chose to priotize family over work and if they think, the career is too demanding they might opt to stay in their present.

Another reason might be the many obstacles on the way, like different work cultures. Sometimes they lack the extra energy needed for these pursuits.  For others the self-confidence and motivation to move on is minimal, so they rather stay here than break camp.

 

What does the future hold for you?

I have decided to stay on as  an events planner,  I am ready to sail through the journey. Simply put, “I have reached my waterloo” this is what I love doing. I am madly in love with what I do, so even though I do the same thing year after year I do not get sick of it. It is like getting married and remain married with one person for the rest of your life.The day a person finds what they love doing you will never get bored with your career.

 

 

Written by: arianadiaries

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1 Comment

  • Ore Awoonor-Renner (Awuna Floral Designs)

    Well done Kumba. You are making your mark. Keep up the good work. God bless you.