This archive report was first published on 10 July 2021.
From Investment Consultant to Food Blogger: Gatuiri Irauka's Journey ¶
Published on July 10, 2021
Gatuiri Irauka is the founder of Leo Tunapika?, an award-winning food blog that has been a source of inspiration for many home cooks.
When asked about her daily routine, Gatuiri shared that her mornings are usually relaxed, except for days when she needs to wake up early to go to the market. She wakes up, sees her child off to school, and sometimes prepares breakfast.
Her favorite part of the day is developing recipes, which brings her joy as she sees concepts come to life.
Recently, Gatuiri has been excited about producing a YouTube miniseries on cakes, featuring a collection of cake recipes perfect for beginners.
Her journey as a food blogger began in 2012, inspired by Aika of Pendo La Mama, when she started Leo Tunapika? as a journal chronicling her joys and woes in the kitchen.
Over time, her readership grew, and she collaborated with various brands on different campaigns. In 2019, she won the coveted Top Kenyan Food Blog at the BAKE awards, which marked a significant milestone in her career.
Reflecting on her journey, Gatuiri advised her younger self to continue putting in the work, as things would turn out well. She looks back at her younger self with awe, remembering her passion for food and her willingness to share it with others.
As she looks to the future, Gatuiri aims to rediscover her passion and channel it into her work. She has learned to focus on content creation and has delved into video content, sharing easy and delicious recipes for the everyday cook.
Her biggest support system includes her husband, who is her number one food critic, and her children's nanny, who helps her manage her three children aged six, four, and two.
Seven years into running the blog, Gatuiri left her job as an investment consultant at an actuarial firm, which she did without hesitation. She is grateful for her supportive husband and the opportunity to pursue her passion.
As a one-woman show, Gatuiri has surprised herself with the additional skills she has learned, including photography, videography, and editing. She aims to get a team as the platform grows.
Her best career advice came from a sermon, which resonated with her: 'do it afraid.' This advice has helped her learn to take on new projects, even when things are not perfect.
With a busy schedule, Gatuiri has set boundaries to separate her work and home life. She uses her phone less, especially for social media, and tries to clock out of Instagram and Twitter at 8 pm.
Outside of work, Gatuiri enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking siestas, and reading fiction books.
For her, self-care means incorporating rest in her weekly routine and taking care of her mental health. She keeps a journal, which she doesn't do regularly but finds therapeutic when she does.
