We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniel Munyao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?
I think it all depends with the kind of family or friends you have. Most of the time, I don’t fully depend on them to support my business. I think having your family support you financially is not that necessary, all you need is them to support you by buying your goods or services. That is the support you need.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Dante, and I wear many hats—I’m a professional trader, travel agent, photographer, and marketer with a knack for graphic design, social media management, and community engagement. I’m based in Kenya, and my journey into these industries has been driven by curiosity, creativity, and a passion for connecting with people.
How I Got Started
My love for storytelling and creating impactful experiences began with photography, where I capture life’s beautiful moments through my lens. I ventured into marketing and graphic design from there, helping brands create memorable identities. As a travel agent, I craft unique travel experiences, and as a trader, I focus on navigating markets with precision and strategy.
Products & Services
I offer a variety of services:
– Photography: I help people tell their stories visually from events to portraits.
– Marketing & Design: I design campaigns, manage social media, and create graphics that bring visions to life.
– Travel Planning: I curate trips tailored to my client’s preferences.
Problems I Solve
I help my clients:
– Stand out in their industries through creative branding and marketing.
– Capture and preserve meaningful moments with professional photography.
– Plan seamless and memorable travel experiences.
What Sets Me Apart
I combine creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch in everything I do. My outgoing personality and love for people make collaborating with me an enjoyable experience. I’m also deeply invested in community service, which keeps me grounded and inspired.
Proud Moments
I’m especially proud of my work with Rotary campaigns, such as the Sunshine Rally and the Men’s Mental Health Awareness Campaign, where I’ve made a tangible difference in my community.
What I Want You to Know
My work is about more than just services—it’s about creating connections, inspiring people, and delivering value in meaningful ways. Whether you’re looking to elevate your brand, plan an adventure, or capture special moments, I’m here to make it happen.
If you’re curious about what I do or want to collaborate, let’s connect!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One story that truly illustrates my resilience happened during a major photography project I was working on for a community event. The event was for a Rotary campaign, bringing together children with disabilities from across Kenya for a fun-filled day. It was a cause close to my heart, and I wanted to capture the joy and spirit of the day perfectly.
On the morning of the event, everything that could go wrong seemed to. The weather turned unexpectedly, and some of the gear I had brought malfunctioned. To add to the pressure, there was a tight schedule, and I knew there would be no second chances to capture many of the key moments.
Instead of panicking, I took a deep breath and reminded myself why I was there—to tell a story that mattered. I improvised by borrowing some equipment, switched to backup plans I’d prepared and even adjusted my photography style on the fly to adapt to the overcast lighting conditions. I leaned into the challenge and focused on capturing candid, authentic moments rather than worrying about technical perfection.
The result was a series of photos that exceeded my expectations. They captured the unfiltered happiness of the children and the immense effort of the volunteers. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces as they viewed the photos made all the stress worth it.
That experience reinforced my belief that resilience is about staying calm under pressure, thinking creatively, and always keeping your purpose in mind. It’s a lesson I carry with me in every challenge I face, whether in photography, business, or life.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Absolutely! Reflecting on my creative journey, there are several resources I wish I had discovered earlier that would have saved me time, enhanced my skills, and opened up new opportunities. Here are a few:
1. Online Learning Platforms
– YouTube: I underestimated the wealth of free tutorials available on topics like photography techniques, editing software, and even business management.
– **Skillshare and Coursera**: These platforms offer structured courses by industry professionals. Early access to them would have accelerated my learning, especially in graphic design and marketing.
2. Creative Tools and Software
– Canva: I only started using Canva later in my graphic design journey, but it’s such a powerful tool for creating quick, professional visuals.
– Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop Presets: Pre-made presets and actions save hours when editing photos and help maintain a consistent style.
– Notion or Trello: For project management, these tools would have helped me stay organized when juggling multiple creative and client projects.
3. Communities and Networks
– Photography and Creative Forums: Joining forums like DPReview or local photography groups would have connected me with mentors and peers much earlier.
– Rotary and Community Projects- Collaborating with organizations like Rotary earlier could have amplified the social impact of my work sooner in my career.
4. Social Media Strategies
– Understanding platforms like Instagram and Pinterest earlier would have helped me grow my brand and showcase my work to a broader audience. Tools like Later or Hootsuite for scheduling posts would have been invaluable.
5. Financial Education
– In both creative work and trading, understanding financial management tools like QuickBooks or investing platforms would have streamlined my earnings and allowed me to reinvest smartly into my craft.
6. Local and Online Marketplaces
– Websites like Fiverr or Upwork would have opened up early freelance opportunities for graphic design and photography work, especially as I was starting out.
These resources have been transformative as I’ve discovered them over time, but having them earlier would have made my journey smoother and more impactful. If anyone starting their creative or business journey is reading this, explore these resources early—they make a world of difference!
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