Winning My First FOYA Award: A Moment of Honor and Gratitude

A Moment to Remember

This year, I achieved a significant milestone in my journey as an entrepreneur-creator: I was honored with the FOYA Award for Ed-Tech of the Year 2024 for Kre8.Hub.

Kre8.Hub has been a labor of love—a platform where we empower creators by providing the skills they need to thrive online and offering tech solutions to make their creative process seamless. Receiving this award felt like validation of the mission and the impact we’ve been striving to create.

Let Me Explain:

The FOYA Awards recognize individuals and organizations making a transformative impact in their industries. Winning this award in the highly competitive ed-tech space is a testament to the potential of Kre8.Hub and the vision behind it.

For me, this accolade symbolizes the possibilities of innovation, the strength of collaboration, and the resilience of a dream.

Let’s Deep Dive:

1. The Mission Behind Kre8.Hub

• At Kre8.Hub, our goal is twofold:
  1. Equip creators with essential skills to thrive in the digital space.
  2. Provide tech solutions to simplify their creative process.
• This dual focus ensures creators not only build but also sustain their platforms, achieving long-term success.

2. The Challenges Along the Way

• Building Kre8.Hub has been a journey filled with lessons. From understanding the unique needs of creators to designing tools that genuinely add value, each step has been a learning curve.
• Entrepreneurship in ed-tech requires balancing innovation with practicality—a challenge we’ve embraced wholeheartedly.

3. Why This Award Matters

• This recognition reflects the trust and support of the creator community we serve.
• It’s a sign that we’re on the right path, and it motivates us to scale even greater heights.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – Pelé

4. The Vision for 2025

• While 2024 has been incredible, we’re already planning for what’s next.
• In 2025, Kre8.Hub will expand its reach, offering more comprehensive training programs and advanced tech solutions to help creators scale their impact.
• This is just the beginning—we’re excited to build on this momentum.

Bringing It Home:

Winning the FOYA Award for Ed-Tech of the Year 2024 is more than a personal milestone; it’s a collective achievement. It’s proof that innovation combined with purpose creates meaningful impact.

To every creator and entrepreneur out there, know that your work matters. Keep building, keep innovating, and remember that the journey is as important as the destination.

Recommended Read:

A book that has profoundly shaped my mindset is The 6 Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden. It offers powerful insights into building confidence and creating a narrative that aligns with your aspirations—a must-read for any creator or entrepreneur.

Your Turn:

What are you building today that you’ll celebrate tomorrow? Take a moment to reflect on your journey and the milestones along the way.

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota

Who is MJ Nyota

About Me

I’m MJ Nyota, a curious lifelong learner, creator, and community builder passionate about growth, impact, and continuous evolution.

Entrepreneurship, to me, is about building, experimenting, and figuring things out along the way. It’s not just about starting businesses—it’s about solving real problems, learning through action, and staying adaptable. That’s why I focus on creating, sharing ideas, and helping others navigate their own journeys.

But business is only part of the story.

Faith is my foundation. I believe God has placed unique gifts in all of us, and when we trust Him, He leads us to places we never imagined. Every challenge, every delay, every setback—it’s all part of the preparation for something greater.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11).

I also believe in the power of discipline and growth, which is why fitness and reading are a big part of my life. Taking care of the body fuels the mind. The same way we build muscles in the gym, we build resilience in life. And when I’m not working on a project, you’ll probably find me reading—because every book is a shortcut to wisdom.

At the heart of everything I do is community. Whether it’s through conversations, shared insights, or simply creating spaces for people to grow together, I believe we go further when we go together. Life isn’t meant to be a solo journey—it’s about learning, building, and evolving with others.

If you’re someone who values growth, faith, and continuous learning, let’s connect.

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota

Perspective Is Everything

“The way we see the world affects the way we behave in the world.”

– Steve Jobs

The way we perceive the world shapes our reality. Your perspective isn’t just how you see things—it’s how you experience them.

Let me explain:

Imagine two people stuck in traffic.

One sees it as wasted time and feels frustrated.
The other sees it as an opportunity to listen to a podcast or reflect.
The same situation, but two completely different experiences.

Perspective is powerful. It has the ability to transform the mundane into meaningful, the overwhelming into manageable.

Why Perspective Matters

1. It Shapes Your Responses
   Your reaction to situations is influenced by how you interpret them. When faced with challenges, a growth mindset can make obstacles feel like stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
2. It Impacts Your Relationships
   Perspective helps you understand others better. By stepping into someone else’s shoes, you gain empathy and foster deeper connections.
3. It Affects Your Inner Peace
   Gratitude, for instance, is a perspective. Choosing to focus on what you have rather than what you lack can dramatically enhance your emotional well-being.

How to Shift Your Perspective

• Ask Questions: Instead of saying, “Why me?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?”
• Reframe Problems: Replace “I have to” with “I get to.” This simple shift can turn obligations into opportunities.
• Seek Diverse Views: Talking to people with different experiences can help you see the bigger picture.

Bringing It Home
The beauty of perspective is that it’s fluid. You have the power to change how you see the world, which changes how you live in it.

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota

Leading the Infinite Game

Simon Sinek, renowned for his insights into leadership, speaks about playing the “infinite game” in business and how it differs fundamentally from a finite game. Here are the five core principles of leadership from Sinek that resonate deeply with me:

1. Have a Just Cause

“A just cause is a belief system so strong that people will follow it, even in the absence of tangible rewards.”

“A just cause is a reason so big, it can never be fully accomplished,” Simon Sinek says. In our work at Kocha Hub, our cause is clear: empowering creators to thrive in the digital space. This is not just a mission to attract customers but a vision that unites our team. Even as a startup, our just cause has drawn people to join our journey, motivated by more than just financial gain. When your team believes in a greater purpose, they work with a passion that transcends the challenges of startup life.

2. Trust Your Team

Sinek emphasizes the importance of trust as a cornerstone of effective leadership. This year, I learned this lesson the hard way. Trusting your team’s dedication and ensuring you build a supportive environment is crucial for long-term success. A team that feels trusted is a team that performs better and remains loyal, even during uncertain times.

3. Worthy Rivals

Competition is a catalyst for innovation.

One of the most surprising yet powerful lessons from Sinek is about the role of rivals. He challenges us to view rivals not as enemies but as worthy competitors who push us to become better versions of ourselves. At Kocha Hub, we celebrate the achievements of our rivals, knowing that their success raises the bar for all of us. This mindset has helped us learn from their strategies and return stronger, knowing that competition is healthy for growth.

4. Capacity for Existential Flexibility

“The ability to adapt to change is a critical skill for leaders.”

The ability to pivot is what separates stagnation from growth. Sinek calls this existential flexibility, and it’s something we’ve embraced at Kocha. Since our inception, we’ve had to adapt repeatedly, aligning our product and strategy with market and customer feedback. This adaptability isn’t just necessary; it’s essential for survival in a rapidly changing digital landscape. As we plan for a strategic shift in our brand for 2025, we remind ourselves that flexibility is not just about survival but about thriving in alignment with our just cause.

5. Courage to Lead

Leadership is not about being fearless; it’s about acting courageously in the face of uncertainty.

Finally, Sinek speaks about the courage to lead—especially in uncertain times. When I first brought my team together, uncertainty was palpable, and at times, I let that uncertainty influence the team, diminishing their confidence in our cause. Through the lessons of this year, I’ve learned that showing courage, even when results are not immediate, fosters hope and trust. As a leader, giving the team confidence and a reason to believe in the journey is as crucial as the destination itself.

In Conclusion

Leadership is a journey of growth, persistence, and constant adaptation. These insights from Simon Sinek remind us that leadership is not about the short term but playing the infinite game—one where the goal is to keep building, learning, and evolving.

“The courage to lead is what separates those who are remembered from those who are forgotten.” – Simon Sinek

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota

The Power of the Pen

My Secret to Clear Thinking and Problem-Solving

Imagine staring at a tangled ball of thread, unsure where to start unraveling it. The more you pull randomly, the worse it gets. Now, imagine having the patience to trace one strand at a time, carefully loosening the knot.

That’s what journaling feels like for me—a way to untangle the mess in my mind and make sense of it all.

Let Me Explain:

Life throws problems and ideas at us every day, and our brains can only hold so much before it starts to feel overwhelming. Journaling has been my tool to:

• Solve Problems – By breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts.
• Clarify Thoughts – By organizing the chaos into words.
• Capture Ideas – Before they disappear into the ether.

Let’s Deep Dive:

Here’s why journaling has been a game-changer for me:

1. Untangling Thoughts
   • When faced with challenges, writing helps me map out the issue and identify solutions.
   • It’s easier to see connections, patterns, and even opportunities when they’re on paper.

“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.” – David McCullough

2. Turning Ideas into Action
   • Journaling isn’t just for venting; it’s a space to brainstorm and refine ideas.
   • Many of my best ideas started as scribbles in a notebook before taking shape into actionable plans.

“An idea, once written down, is a commitment.” – Unknown

3. Cultivating Emotional Clarity
   • Sometimes, problems feel bigger than they are. Writing about them helps me separate facts from emotions.
   • It’s amazing how many worries dissolve once they’re written down and examined objectively.

“Paper is to write things down that we need to remember. Our brains are for thinking.” – Albert Einstein

Bringing It Home:

Journaling isn’t just about recording your day—it’s about understanding yourself better. It’s a process of turning abstract thoughts into something tangible, something you can work with.

Every time I feel stuck or overwhelmed, I reach for my journal. It has become my safe space for reflection, creativity, and problem-solving.

As I write, I discover that solutions were always there—I just needed a way to see them clearly.

Your Turn:

Take 10 minutes today to write about a challenge you’re facing or an idea that’s been on your mind. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just start.

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota

The Power of Your Inner Story

Self-Narrative: The Story You Tell Yourself About You

Imagine you’re the main character in a novel. The way the author describes you—their choice of words, tone, and perspective—shapes how the reader sees you.

Now, here’s the twist: you are the author.

The story you tell yourself about yourself—your self-narrative—is one of the most powerful forces in your life. It influences your decisions, confidence, and the limits of what you believe is possible.

Let Me Explain:

Every day, we tell ourselves stories:

• “I’m not good at this.”
• “I always mess things up.”
• “I’ll never be as successful as them.”

These aren’t just fleeting thoughts; they’re narratives shaping your reality. A negative self-narrative becomes a barrier, while a positive one acts as a bridge to growth and opportunity.

Let’s Deep Dive:

Here’s what I’ve learned about self-narratives and how to take control of them:

1. Recognize Your Current Narrative

• Pay attention to the story you’re telling yourself. Is it empowering or limiting?
• Write it down—sometimes, seeing your thoughts on paper makes them easier to challenge.

“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” – Mahatma Gandhi

2. Challenge Limiting Beliefs

• Ask yourself: Is this really true, or is it just a story I’ve believed for too long?
• Replace “I can’t” with “I’m learning to.” Replace “I always fail” with “I’m growing through every challenge.”

“What we tell ourselves is often the most important conversation we’ll ever have.” – Unknown

3. Rewrite Your Story

• Write a new narrative in the present tense: “I am resilient. I am capable. I am worthy of success.”
• Read this new script every day. Over time, it will replace the old one.

“We are the authors of our lives. What story will you choose to tell?” – Unknown

4. Act Like the Person in Your New Narrative

• Actions shape identity. Start acting like the person you aspire to be, even in small ways.
• Confidence doesn’t come first—it’s built through consistent action.

Bringing It Home:

The story you tell yourself isn’t permanent. It’s a draft, and you can revise it anytime.

When I began challenging my own self-narrative, I discovered how much of my life was dictated by outdated beliefs. Rewriting that script gave me clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.

So, ask yourself:

• What story am I telling myself?
• Does it empower me, or does it hold me back?

You are both the author and the protagonist. Make it a story worth living.

Recommended Read:

One book that rewired my thinking about self-narratives is The 6 Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden. This masterpiece delves into how self-esteem influences our thoughts, actions, and overall quality of life. It’s a transformative guide to understanding and improving your self-narrative.

Your Turn:

Take 15 minutes today to write down your current self-narrative. Then, rewrite it as the story of the person you want to become.

Learning never stops.
Take a moment to reflect and act on what resonates with you.
Keep evolving.
– MJ Nyota