Ceri SAMVILIAN

My Outstanding Story

My background...

Born and raised in Kenya and now based in Vienna, Austria,  I am a HR professional who loves working with people and being a problem solver. 

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I have a BCOM degree on Human Resource Management that I received from University of Pretoria in South Africa. I then returned to Kenya and studied for a Higher diploma on the same to accustomize myself to the Kenyan labour laws. I became a Human resources manager for a well known chain of restaurants in Kenya called Java House.  About 3 years ago when I decided to take my career to the next level and be a Life coach, I took a Diploma on the Art & Science of solution based coaching. I am now an ICF certified Life coach.

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...the soul searching and life changing process...

I felt like I was not making the impact I needed to make by being of service and fulfilling my fullest potential. I reached a point in my life where I was working a normal 9 to 5 job going home and being a wife and mother. As much as I love my family, I felt like something huge was missing. I asked myself “Is this all there is to my life right now?” The one thing I knew for sure was that the only way I could reach the dreams that were hidden inside of me, was by first having a clear  understanding of who I was and who I wanted to become. So, I started a serious soul-searching process and used the tools that I could find, to give me the answers I was looking for. I read self-help books, I watched hours and hours of motivational videos. I joined groups in my part of town that got me out of my comfort zone and did things I would normally never do. I also invested in myself and went for major trainings and weekend workshops.

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It’s interesting what happens when you ask the universe for something. It will always reply as long as you are willing to listen. I found a coach who navigated me through finding what I am good at and how to apply my skills. I found mentors who opened doors for me and helped me start my own business. I was able to not only find my skills but improve on them.

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Since then I realised that being a life Coach is my calling and I became a certified (solution - based) Life coach and accomplished over 200 hours of personal coaching hours, helping people have a clear understanding of who they are and using that direction to create the life they have only dreamed of.

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...culture influencing my work...

My name in full is Gacheri and in my culture it means "the one who takes care of others". I feel this is who I have always been. I always seem to be the one giving advice or giving a shoulder to cry on. I always felt like I needed to do something to help others. The problem with this sometimes is you may get over burdened with this trait if it is not done in a healthy way. Studying to be a coach helped me understand how I could use my skills and natural talents to help people in a healthier and more purposeful way. 

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...I am inspired by...

I am inspired by mentors who look like me. The first on stage speaker that blew me away was Les Brown. Seeing a black man speak so well and move the masses was amazing to me. Then I saw Lisa Nichols and that made me believe that a black woman also has the ability to dominate the motivational stage and move millions of people. I was even lucky enough to meet her this year at an event and she taught me even more on how you can mold your craft and take it further. These people showed me that anything is possible.

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Engaging with the community...

I always try to support other black entrepreneurs in Austria by providing guidance or giving them a platform to showcase their work. I enjoy doing collaborations that promote our skills and talents.

On a personaI basis, I research a lot on the African stories, proverbs and how personal development was used in the past and add it into my work. We actually have so much we have been taught and have forgotten or we don't even realize that this had to do with personal growth.

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My goal is to be continuously part of the supportive system for any diaspora. I want people to know they are not alone and do not have to go through this journey alone. There are people who can guide you through your journey. As for my work, I see myself working both in Europe and Africa. I want to be able to learn as much as I can from this space and take it back home to propel and improve other people's lives. 

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My message to emerging diaspora members and creatives...

This is a poem I love to share, every chance I get.

“You were born with potential. 

You were born with goodness and trust. 

You were born with ideals and dreams. 

You were born with greatness. 

Your were born with wings. 

You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. 

You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.” 

— Rumi

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www.cerisamvilian.com​