Businessman and founder of Nash Paints Tinashe Mutarisi was last week named as the second most Most Influential Entrepreneur Under 40 for 2017.
The honour was bestowed by the Ngoda Business named The Ngoda List for 2017 which recognises enterprising Zimbabweans who are 40 and under.
Adjudication is done under the categories of National Relevance, Global Appeal, Social Impact, Motivation/Leadership, Economic Value, General Influence and Brand Equity amongst others.
Mr Mutarise came second to PHD founder Walter Magaya who landed the top spot.
We spoke to him about the honour and what it means for him and fellow young people.
“It is a great honour to be placed in the same category of influential business leaders and more so coming in second after Mr Magaya,” he enthused.
“All the candidates are known for their varied styles of business acumen, very successful, powerful, trendsetters and very visible to be recognised by my peers and society in this regard is very humbling.”
He was referring to fellow business people Chamu Chiwanza, Frank Buyanga, Wicknell Chivayo, Josey Mahachi, Munyaradzi Gwatidzo, Pasi William Sachiti, Maxwell Chikumbutso and Takwana Tyaranini who completes the top 10 list.
Through his brand Nash Paints, the young entrepreneur has been supportive of the arts and entertainment, supporting booming talent such as Bustop TV, Jah Prayzah’s Military touch Movement, engaging musicians like Cindy Munyavi for corporate adverts as well as partnering events such as the Alfred Kainga comedy Show.
“The Arts and Entertainment industry, believe it or not, is integral to the corporate world, Its unfortunate over the years most corporates have lost sight of this intimate relationship, he said of the Entertainment industry.
“The pillar and cornerstones of our marketing campaigns heavily rely on working hand in hand with the artists from catchy jingles and songs we use in advertising. Using familiar faces of celebrities has proven very profitable and successful for us,” added Mutarisi.
He also said his support for the industry has benefited artists through their partnership and said he will be doing more comedy shows in the future.
Being named a young influential entrepreneur comes with its own responsibilities, ones which Mr Mutarisi says he embraces with open arms.
“It is a huge responsibility and one that I accept with great pleasure,” he said.
He recalls how he wanted to be a soldier when growing up and said he for long has always wanted to be someone’s hero.
“Growing up I always wanted to be a soldier I guess I always wanted to be a hero to my people. More so for me coming from a rural background and moving to the big city as a young adult,” he recollects.
“I am grateful I found my calling and created avenues for myself and others around me to get employment.”
He speaks of the humble beginnings and the sheer endurance that saw him built a multimillion-dollar empire.
“From that one paint shop in Chitungwiza to now owning this state of the art multi-million dollar factory bears testament to what a shift in our thought patterns and ideologies should be for our country.,” said Mutarisi who has won several business accolades.
“We are young and energetic full of ideas and we are willing to challenge the status quo and show not only Zimbabweans, but the world that we are extremely creative, resilient, and are the owners of our destiny. That we must put in the work to safeguard our economy and ensure we make our country great. And create a lasting legacy.
“That we must put in the work to safeguard our economy and ensure we make our country great and create a lasting legacy,” he added.
You can view the complete list of the class of 2017 Ngoda Business Most-Influential-Entrepreneurs-Under-40 on this link
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