From Scratch Cards to Success - Amb. Maryben Omollo and The Power of Humble Beginnings

Introduction

Ambassador Maryben Omollo, a globally recognised mental health and leadership coach, award-winning speaker, and founder of the Maryben Foundation, shared a deeply personal reflection in June 2025. Her story, rooted in resilience and humility, offers a powerful reminder that greatness often begins in the most unassuming places. Through her journey, she challenges the glorification of prestige and instead celebrates the lessons learned from modest starts.

The Reality of a First Job

Omollo’s first job was far from glamorous. It didn’t offer wealth, benefits, or even a proper office. Instead, it involved dancing at roadshows and selling scratch cards at bus stops. There was no title, no desk—just grit, hustle, and hope. While many might overlook such a role, Omollo credits it as one of the most formative experiences of her life. It was in those early days, under the sun and among strangers, that she learned the foundational skills that would later shape her leadership.

Lessons from the Ground Up

Despite the lack of prestige, her first job taught her invaluable life and leadership lessons:

1. Communication: She learned how to engage with people from all walks of life.
2. Resilience: She faced rejection and kept going.
3. Consistency: She showed up even when she was tired, broke, and felt invisible.

These lessons, though not taught in boardrooms or business schools, became the bedrock of her future success.

The Myth of Prestige

In today’s world, there is a tendency to idolise high-ranking positions, sleek offices, and impressive titles. But Omollo reminds us that every journey has a beginning—and often, that beginning is humble. The truth is, your first job may not define your career, but it will shape your character. It refines your work ethic, your mindset, and your ability to persevere.

Embracing Small Beginnings

Omollo encourages others not to look down on where they start. Instead, she urges them to:

1. Start where they are: Use what’s available and take the first step.
2. Learn what they can: Every experience holds a lesson.
3. Build who they’re becoming: Focus on growth, not just the job title.

The goal, she emphasises, is not merely employment—it’s evolution.

A Call to Normalise Humble Origins

By sharing her story, Omollo invites others to reflect on their own beginnings. She challenges the stigma around modest jobs and encourages a cultural shift: one that values growth over glamour and effort over entitlement. Her message is clear—humble beginnings are not something to hide; they are something to honour.

Reflection

Ambassador Maryben Omollo’s journey from selling scratch cards to becoming a globally influential leader is a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose. Her story dismantles the illusion that success must start with prestige. Instead, it highlights that the most meaningful growth often begins in the most unexpected places. Her experience teaches us that no job is too small if it helps shape who we are becoming. The lessons learned in obscurity often become the strengths that shine in leadership.

Lesson to Learn

Never underestimate the value of where you begin. Your first job may not be your dream job, but it can be the foundation of your future. Embrace the process, honor your growth, and remember—every great journey starts with a single, often humble, step.