He quit school at 17, now he helps young people build their talent

Kenya: At 17, Alister Swart dropped out of school because he disliked having to follow rules. He ran away from home, and with no education, the only job he could get was as a waiter. After serving meals and clearing tables for over a decade, Swart got fed up with his meagre earnings and began to strategise on how he would become self-reliant. Today, he is the founder of Rising Star, a South Africa-based company that recently set up shop in Kenya.

Who is Alister Swart?

I am a 32-year-old man, born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am married to a beautiful lady, Laura Barker, who is also my partner at work and with whom we have a one-year-old child.

What is Rising Star about?

The Rising Star Programme aims to recognise, celebrate and connect young talented people who have a capacity for achievement and success and who contribute in an inspirational manner to the future of the nation. The programme aims to establish a community of young Kenyan talent that will be developed, mentored and provided with platforms for development and communication. This will enable them become role models, opinion leaders and the inspiration for future Kenyan talent.

What key competencies do you look out for in a rising star?

The programme aims at awarding individuals, not companies, for their outstanding performance. We look at the following competencies: adhering to principles and values, learning and researching, delivering results and meeting customer expectations, relating and networking, achieving personal work goals and objectives, and initiating action.

How do you make money?

Through sponsorships. Various companies sponsor us to set up the programme, and we in turn use these funds to run the company and pay salaries.

Working with a spouse can be difficult, how do you do it?

In the initial stages of setting up Rising Stars, we collided over lacking time for each other. We would both work overtime and bring the job home. We, however, realised that these choices were hurting our marriage and decided to take time off to talk about how to strike a balance. We decided to wake up early and never bring work home unless it is a very crucial project.

How different is your first salary from your current one?

I started serving as a waiter at 17, working very long hours for about 3,500 rand (Sh28,000 at current exchange rates). Today, I own my own company and out of discipline, I reward myself 12,000 rand (about Sh100,000) after tax.

Why did you quit school?

I didn’t like rules. I was arrogant and rebellious. But I wouldn’t be who I am if I did not make the decisions I did. When I think of working for somebody, I can’t think of anything worse. I need to be my own boss. We have a rule with my business partner — my wife — that she can’t make decisions for me.

What are some of the right choices you’ve made?

Taking risks. Doing things out of the ordinary and being diverse — I have made deals through [free messaging service] WhatsApp and even [Internet-based calling service] Skype.

And wrong ones?

There was a time I really wanted to fit in and be like the rest of the pack. I, however, realised that being cliché never bore success. I decided to work on what I love and stand out of the crowd — successful people are more than ordinary. Dropping out of school was a miscalculated move that has cost me and I would not advice anyone else to do the same.

Future plans for Rising Stars?

I would like to organise summits in Kenya within the next two years and set up Rising Stars in other countries across Africa.

What are the challenges you’ve faced working in Kenya?

As a foreigner, it is hard to earn the trust of the locals. They do not understand how I can know the local landscape, yet I do not have Kenyan roots. I, therefore, have to work extra hard to convince them that what I aim to accomplish is beneficial to Kenyans and of general good.

What do you do to unwind?

I love playing with my young kiddo, spending time with my wife, hiking and camping.

[email protected]