2024 Wrapped: A Year of Growth, Milestones, and Learning
As we close out another incredible year, I’m excited to share my journey through 2024. Following up on last year’s 2023 Career Wrapped, this year brought even more challenges, achievements, and transformative experiences that I’m eager to recount. Let’s dive in.
MBA: Achieving Distinction
This year, I proudly completed my MBA with distinction — straight A’s! The journey wasn’t without its challenges; courses like Accounting and Financial Management pushed me to my limits. Coming from a background in Materials Science and Engineering, I initially worried about tackling these subjects. However, countless sleepless nights and perseverance paid off. These courses not only expanded my academic horizons but also deepened my understanding of managing business finances — knowledge I’ll carry forward into every venture.
Exploring New Horizons: Ghana and the ARCE Conference
In April, I traveled to Ghana for the first time to attend and speak at the ARCE Conference 2024. This trip was a milestone in many ways. Securing the partnership with the remarkable Lady Vicky, a leading voice in Proptech across Africa and the USA, was a highlight. It also opened doors to connect with real estate and Proptech leaders globally. If you’ve been following my journey, you’d recall my introduction to ProptechBuzz in 2023 — this conference was a continuation of that narrative and a testament to the growth I’ve witnessed in this field.
ProptechBuzz Growth: Building a Global Community
When I joined ProptechBuzz, it was little more than an ambitious idea. Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown into a vibrant community of 6,000+ members, complete with a media arm reaching over 200,000+ audience members. Strategic partnerships like those with ARCE and Reside Summit have been instrumental in this growth. If you’re in the Proptech space and want your startup to gain visibility, ProptechBuzz is where you need to be.
South Africa and the Reside Summit
Mid-year, I had the privilege of speaking at the Reside Summit’s Retech Conference in South Africa. This was an eye-opening experience, showcasing how rapidly the Proptech sector is expanding across the continent. One conversation that stood out was with a leading developer from Egypt who relocated from Canada to capitalize on the region’s booming Proptech and real estate prospects. It’s clear: Africa is positioning itself as a global Proptech leader.
Act+Con: Creativity Meets Tourism
Closer to home, I was invited to the inaugural Act+Con in Jos, Nigeria. This conference brought together creatives and government leaders to discuss fostering tourism in one of Nigeria’s most culturally rich states. Being part of such a dialogue was inspiring — it underscored the role of creativity in shaping the future of tourism and community development.
Treford: Teaching and Mentorship
This year, I also had the privilege of teaching at Treford — both as a judge during their final capstone presentations and as a facilitator for Product Positioning workshops. Teaching is deeply fulfilling for me, and my heart beams with joy when I help others understand challenging concepts. I guided aspiring and active product managers through the foundations of product positioning, covering critical elements like:
- Understanding the problem, market, and customer needs
- Conducting competitor analysis
- Crafting a compelling value proposition for optimal positioning
Seeing my students grasp these concepts and apply them confidently was one of the most rewarding parts of my year.
WeElevateAfrica: Telling Africa’s Story
The WeElevateAfrica Conference was another highlight of 2024. Focused on reshaping Africa’s narrative, the event challenged me to think critically about how we can position Africans for success in a rapidly changing world. A staggering statistic shared during the event stayed with me: by 2050, 50% of the global working population will be African. How do we prepare and empower our continent to thrive in this future? This question has fueled months of reflection and will guide much of my work in the coming years.
Promotion to Global Lead of Growth and Partnerships
A personal milestone this year was my promotion to Global Lead of Growth and Partnerships at ProptechBuzz. This role has been both challenging and rewarding, teaching me the intricacies of marketing, sales, and partnerships. From prospecting and qualifying leads to closing deals, every step has been a learning curve. Thanks to my founder and mentor, Ravi, I also honed my communication skills through the principles outlined in Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz.
No-Code: Room for Growth
While I hoped to dive deeper into building no-code products this year, time and other commitments didn’t allow it. However, it remains a priority for 2025, and I’m determined to improve significantly in this area.
Thank You and See You in 2025
Thank you for following my journey through 2024. It’s been a year of immense growth, impactful connections, and invaluable lessons. As we step into 2025, I’m excited to continue sharing stories and insights. Watch this space for more updates, and here’s to another year of growth and impact!