Home Business Sasha Kalawangoma and the rise of MultiGen and Gibi Labs
BusinessZimbabwe

Sasha Kalawangoma and the rise of MultiGen and Gibi Labs

Share
Share

At just 27, Sasha Kalawangoma has already achieved much more than what many of his peers may fail to accomplish during their entire lifetime.

The young Zimbabwean entrepreneur is at the helm of MultiGen Online Marketing and Coaching and Gibi Labs Marketing Agencies – two companies that are based in the United States of America – and has made significant inroads in ensuring that the footprint of his brands can be traced to many parts of the world.

A passion for creativity and innovation
Born in Zimbabwe’s eastern part of Mutare, Sasha’s entrepreneurial journey began soon after he had completed his Advanced Level studies at St. Dominics High School.

“Soon after my high school, I won the Anzisha Build a Business Day Prize, coming first nationally, which was a transformative experience in my entrepreneurial journey. My passion for creativity and innovation was further highlighted through a project called The Art of Humanity, which I co-founded alongside Nyasha Manyeruke and Ropafadzo Zimunya.

“This initiative focused on recycling waste from dumpsites into art pieces. The project not only helped clean up local communities but also transformed discarded materials into meaningful artwork that has found homes in some of Zimbabwe’s hotels.

“As part of our mission, we also taught schoolchildren how to turn recycled waste into science kits and wealth-creating art, proving that even discarded items could hold incredible potential.”

Pursuing a business degree at Cochise College in the Arizona state of USA saw Sasha gaining in-depth knowledge of business strategies, entrepreneurship as well as marketing. This academic foundation – coupled by international exposure and the many contacts he accumulated – created a perfect platform upon which to start his entrepreneurial journey.

The birth of MultiGen and Gibi Labs
“I have a desire to combine creativity, environmental stewardship, and community impact. Founding Samok Photography in 2015 allowed me to tell visual stories that connect people emotionally. From there, I expanded into event management, marketing and investment, driven by a mission to inspire growth and making a tangible difference in people’s lives and businesses.”

The expansion resulted in the establishment of MultiGen and Gibi Labs, allowing Sasha to fully express himself in a marketing environment that has brought out his exceptional talent and also helped him to solve the challenges faced by the clients of the two companies.

MultiGen is a marketing company that provides services ranging from Google SEO, social media marketing, design services and more.

“Digital marketing is a complex field with ever-changing rules and technologies that can be hard to keep up with. At MultiGen we make this easier by offering solutions and providing expertise in all of the digital channels out there. From SEO to social media, video production to email marketing, we help our clients to stay on top of the game.”

Gibi Labs, on the other hand, specializes in capturing unique and captivating stories. This video storytelling business uses the power of video to create engaging and memorable content that inspires and educates audiences.

“Our mission is to exceed the expectations of our clients and helping them share their story with the world. With a team of expert storytellers, we bring a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail to every project. Gibi Labs produces high-quality video content that will leave a lasting impact on audiences.

“At Gibi Labs, our talented team of writers, editors, and creative directors will help tell our clients’ unique stories in a way that resonates with their target audience. From compelling videos to engaging social media campaigns, we will bring their vision to life.”

As founder, chief executive officer and creative director of both companies, Sasha is responsible for overseeing strategic direction and growth across both ventures as well as managing creative projects such as photography, videography, and digital content.

A global footprint
Sasha, who leads a global team in executing marketing, business development as well as environmental initiatives, is succeeding in helping businesses achieve growth at an accelerated rate.

He has managed to expand his team to over 28 employees across multiple countries, including India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United States and Indonesia.

“My team is global, consisting of over 28 employees in various locations, including web engineers in India, social media strategists in South Africa, creative professionals in Zimbabwe, sales and management team members in the United States as well as additional team members in Indonesia.”

Such a global footprint has also enhanced his businesses to such an extent that he also has a global client base and this reflects positively on his long term goals to further internationalize his brands.
Challenges and solutions

Looking back on the entrepreneurial journey he has travelled so far, Sasha identifies some of challenges he has faced and explains how he has overcome them.

“There have been cultural and regulatory differences that have come about because of operating in different countries. This means navigating diverse legal and cultural landscapes. To overcome this, I work with local experts in each region to ensure compliance with regulations while respecting cultural norms.

“Another challenge has arisen because of our communication across time zones. Managing teams in various parts of the world requires careful planning and the use of advanced communication tools to ensure smooth coordination.

“In terms of branding, maintaining a consistent brand message across all regions and teams can be tricky, but we address this by using clear communication as well as a unified brand strategy.”

Reaching for the stars
Although he has already achieved so much at the two companies within a relatively short time, a burning fire to achieve more still rages fiercely in Sasha’s heart.

“In the next five years, my goal is to establish Gibi Labs and MultiGen as the largest marketing company in both Southern Africa and Northern America. I aim to expand our services, reach a larger audience and help even more businesses grow exponentially through cutting-edge marketing strategies.

“By staying at the forefront of digital marketing, we will build a strong international presence and solidify our reputation as the go-to marketing agency for businesses in both regions.”

Share
Related Articles

From PA Dreams to Golf Guru: Nyasha’s Ace Stroke

It was a typical day at the office for Nyasha Joseph Gara,...

From Job Loss to Fashion Empire: Obert’s COVID Comeback

As the entire world grappled with the devastating effects of the COVID-19...

Nelly Paulser: Building a Design Legacy in Zimbabwe

In a world where entrepreneurship is often associated with risk and uncertainty,...

From Bamboo to Buildings: Amabanda’s Success

Collin Muhumuza is a Ugandan entrepreneur leading a company that transforms raw...