PLEASE DESCRIBE WHY YOU CHOSE TO APPLY FOR THE BLOSSOM ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
I applied to Blossom Academy because I knew I had gaps in my knowledge that I needed to fill.
I was already working in the digital space, but a lot of what I was doing felt like guesswork. I could execute tasks, but I didn’t always understand the strategy behind them or why certain things worked while others didn’t. I wanted to learn how to think more strategically and build a stronger foundation for my career.
Blossom Academy felt like a chance to gain the structure I was missing and the support I needed to understand marketing properly.
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR CAREER RESPONSIBILITIES?
I currently work as a Customer Lifecycle Manager, which means I focus on how users experience a product and the brand at different stages of their journey.
My role involves things like onboarding, engagement, and retention.
Basically, I try to make sure people have a good experience and that our communication makes sense for where they are.
HOW DID BLOSSOM ACADEMY SUPPORT YOU IN PREPARING FOR YOUR CAREER?
I currently work as a Customer Lifecycle Manager, which means I focus on how users experience a product and the brand at different stages of their journey. My role involves things like onboarding, engagement, and retention. Basically, I try to make sure people have a good experience and that our communication makes sense for where they are. The technical side of the training was very useful. I learned about and picked up new tools and skills that made me feel more confident in what I was doing.
The program was also impactful because it gave me the opportunity to be around others who were trying to grow in digital marketing. Having access to mentors and peers in the program gave me valuable insights into the industry.
Hearing from people who had been where I was and had built careers in this space gave me clarity on what to focus on and which mistakes to avoid.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND SPEAK TO YOURSELF ON YOUR FIRST DAY AT BLOSSOM ACADEMY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY NOW?
“Stop waiting to feel ready. Just jump in. Everything starts to make sense faster when you implement alongside learning.”
I’d tell myself to ask every question that comes to mind, even the ones that feel very basic. Nobody knows everything, and the people who pretend they do are usually the ones learning the least.
I would also remind myself to start applying what I’m learning immediately instead of waiting until I feel “ready.” The more you engage, the more you get out of the program.
WHICH INDUSTRY OR SECTOR IN AFRICA DO YOU BELIEVE HAS THE GREATEST UNTAPPED POTENTIAL FOR DATA & AI, AND WHY?
I think small and medium-sized businesses have a lot of potential when it comes to using data more effectively. These businesses interact with customers all the time and likely have a sense of who their regular clients are, what products sell well, and when things are busiest. However, most of that information is only stored in people’s heads.
If they could use simple systems to collect, track, and use that data, they could make smarter decisions about what to stock, when to run promotions, or how to improve customer retention.
Right now, a lot of marketing for small businesses involves guesswork. But with even basic data, most businesses can move from trial and error to making informed decisions. They would know what’s worth investing in and what is simply wasting money. My role has shown me how much better decisions become when you work with actual data. You stop guessing and start meeting customers where they really are.
