By Gitahi Ngunyi
Marini Naturals founder and chief executive and serial entrepreneur Michelle Ntalami has been nominated for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (YEA) 2018.
Ntalami whose company produces hair care products for natural African kinky hair will be competing for the female category of the award against Annerlisa Mungai, daughter to Keroche Breweries Managing Director Tabitha Karanja.
Mungai was nominated because of her company Nero Company Ltd which produces bottled water brand Executive.
Others who will be fighting out in the same category are Nancy Amunga of Dana Communications and Lucia Musau of Africa Elite Group.
The nominations of 32 entrepreneurs were announced on October 30, 2018 by Bizna Kenya, the firm behind the awards.
The prestigious YEA Awards designed to recognize, celebrate and encourage upcoming and industrious young entrepreneurs aged 18 – 35 years) to improve how they operate and manage business for increased profitability.
In its first edition, the YEA Awards has attracted entries from different business sectors. Thirty-two nominees have been nominated in various categories including the Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Male and Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Female.
Bizna Kenya Founder and CEO Tonnie Mello said, “We are delighted to host this event and celebrate young entrepreneurs who are doing tremendous work to meet needs in the society. Young people lead the way in many endevours in life, especially in entrepreneurship and we are happy to cheer them on. With this initiative, things can only get better in Kenyan businesses.”
The nominations phase which closed on 20th September 2018 saw some young entrepreneurs nominating themselves while others were nominated by colleagues, partners and customers who enjoy their products and services.
The proposed names were analyzed, verified by a panel of judges. The shortlisting phase lasted until 26th October, where the judges settled for three nominees per category and four for the overall male and female Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Shortlisted Nominees are now presented to the public for voting.
The voting process is set to run three weeks from October 30 until mid-night 25th November, to determine the Kenya’s top 12 Young Entrepreneurs who become the winners.
Winners will get marketing, business support services worth over Sh1 Million.
To vote for your favourite YEA 2018 nominee go to https://yea.co.ke/vote.