Maureen Achieng is a young tech entrepreneur from Nairobi, Kenya, whose journey reflects courage, resilience, and vision. From dropping out of school to working at Mercedes-Benz, to failing 53 times before her first app succeeded, she has turned every setback into a stepping stone. Today, she runs multiple tech ventures that empower non-tech professionals, women, youth, and children to learn digital skills, embrace technology, and take ownership in the companies shaping our future. Humans of Fuzia is featuring Maureen because her story of persistence and purpose inspires our community of 5 million members to pursue dreams fearlessly and support one another in creating impact. In her journey, we see the spirit of “He for She” and “She for She” at work.
Q: Maureen, could you start by telling us a little about yourself?
I’m Maureen Achieng, a tech entrepreneur, author, and speaker from Nairobi, Kenya. I currently run four tech brands. My journey into tech came from curiosity and persistence. I’ve never written a single line of code in my life, but today I help people across 21 countries build apps and websites using no-code and AI tools. Beyond that, I’m passionate about teaching ownership—helping people understand not just how to use technology but how to own a part of it through stocks and investments.
Q: You mentioned your first 53 apps failed. What kept you going?
For me, failure is the language of learning. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family where failure was never shamed—it was just part of growth. But more than that, my brother, who lives with cerebral palsy, has been my biggest source of resilience. The medical bills, the struggle, and the desire to make life better for him fueled me. At some point, it wasn’t about me anymore—it had to work, because it had to work.
Q: What inspired you to transition from a corporate job to entrepreneurship?
I worked at Mercedes-Benz for six years, but I wasn’t learning anymore—cars are cars. My parents, who have always been supportive, encouraged me to follow my passion. My father told me, “The faster you start a business, the faster you fail, the faster you learn, the faster you win.” That advice has stayed with me. Leaving corporate life was my first big risk, and it opened the door to everything I’m doing today.
Q: Can you share more about your current ventures?
Yes. One of my companies is NoCode Apps, where we train and coach non-tech professionals and business owners to build apps and websites without coding. We focus on three pillars: technology, monetization, and ownership. It’s not enough to just know tech—you need to know how to earn from it and own a piece of it.
Another initiative is Tech ABC, where we teach children about modern tech concepts in fun and simple ways, while also introducing them to stock ownership. For example, instead of just saying “A is for Apple,” we show them what Apple is as a company, what it does, and how they can own stocks in it. This way, kids learn early about both technology and ownership.
Q: That’s powerful. What role has resilience played in your journey?
Resilience has been everything. My first six businesses failed. My first 53 apps failed. I even spent eight months sleeping in my car and renting out my house to pay for mentorship and coaching. But I don’t regret any of it—it shaped me. I learned that failure is not final, it’s part of the journey.
Q: What are your aspirations for the future?
My dream is to scale my companies worldwide and impact millions more people. Tech is not going anywhere—it’s in our homes, cars, and even in space. I want non-tech people, regardless of their background, to know they belong in this space. I’m also raising funding to expand and eventually want to become an angel investor, especially for women, because we face unique challenges and need more opportunities.
Q: What message would you like to leave with our readers?
Be okay with failure. Failure is part of the journey. Don’t hate it—embrace it, because it’s how you learn and grow stronger.
“Failure is not the end—it’s just feedback. Each setback brings you closer to the win.” — Maureen Achieng
Connect with Maureen Achieng:
You can connect with Maureen on LinkedIn or visit her website maureenestherachieng.com.
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
