In an exclusive interview with Nonofo Jesse, granted Bayo speaks as a face of the week . She revealed her background, career, way of life and achievements. 

Nonofo Jesse is the Founder and Managing Consultant/ Executive Coach at N Hessy Consultancy. She is a passionate go-getter and propeller of life. She is so passionate when it comes to all things pertaining to personal development and personal excellence.

Background check;

May we get to meet you; who really is Nonofo Jesse?

Nonofo Jesse is a passionate go-getter and propeller of life. She is so passionate when it comes to all things pertaining to personal development and personal excellence.

Can you please tell us about your background?

I was born in 1989, 21 March as Nonofo Dube in the heart of the tourism city of Botswana “Kasane”. Whisked away to Kenya by love (marriage), now Nonofo Jesse.

Briefly tell us about your educational background?

I possess a Bachelor of Business Administration (HRM) (Honours) from Multimedia University in Malaysia. I also hold an Executive MBA from Botswana Open University. In addition, I possess Certificates in Image & Etiquette Management obtained from The International Association of Professions Career College and I am a Certified Coach & Trainer by The John Maxwell Team University.

What do you do for a living?

I am the Founder and Managing Consultant/ Executive Coach at N Hessy Consultancy. N Hessy Consultancy is a boutique consultancy that focuses on organizational and people development, strategic image, and personal branding management, as well as, personal and professional development coaching, amongst other things.

When did you know you wanted this job?

When I went to University, I had an inkling that I wanted to pursue business at some point in my life. Whilst working I noticed as I interacted with our clients, especially in the recruitment space, that so many individuals needed assistance with presenting and positioning themselves accordingly to make the most of the opportunities at hand. In an endeavor to meet this need, I started my Image Consultancy in 2017.

In 2020, I decided to merge my Human Capital background and Image Management expertise and founded N Hessy Consultancy.

What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson?

I would not necessarily call it a mistake, but I would term it as making uninformed decisions. I say this because I tend not to think through things that much, which on a positive note makes me very agile. In some instances, it enables me to grab hold of opportunities fairly early.

However, in some cases I have learnt that sometimes I jump so quickly to do something without counting the cost of the journey I want to embark on or appreciating the sacrifices it would demand from me, which at times leaves me in an unpleasant place.

What dream did you have while growing up?

To live a good and successful life, which meant running successful businesses and travelling the world. As well as, helping others such as orphans.

How do you get to prepare before coaching a client?

I take time to think about and understand my client’s hopes, dreams, and needs. Then I evaluate and adopt the best approach to challenging and supporting them to go for what they really want and have envisaged for themselves.

What was your first win that made you confident that you were doing the right thing? 

When my clients would have “switched on lightbulb” moments during our coaching sessions. And acknowledging that they were getting it was mind blowing for me.

Who is your mentor and why?

I have several mentors; I know that this may sound cliché, but Jesus Christ is my biggest mentor. I have learnt so much from his experiences, and his approach towards life and people. My other mentor is Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, an astute businesswoman, who is God-fearing and classy. I have learnt so much from her despite not meeting her person!

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I have an appreciation for beautiful, refreshing, scenic views, so a young drive does it for me. I also love going to new places with my husband or friends, as well as window shopping.

If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?

What makes some people get it in life “wisdom”, while others don’t?

Can you please tell us about the people you admire?

Ibukun Awosika – I admire her business prowess and love for excellence.

Cece Winans – I admire her gracious nature and love for God.

Darlene Zschech – I admire her passion for excellence and God.

Are in a relationship; if yes, what advice would you give to young couple out there?

Yes I am married to an incredible man, his name is Jesse Ndungo. In order for a marriage to work it’s important to gain knowledge about one another, seek to understand each other and then apply what you learn to build and enrich each other.

Are you ever depressed and why?

I have my low moments; I would not necessarily call it being depressed as they are momentary, and I often believe that things will work out somehow. The low moments occur when things do not pan out as I had hoped, when I encounter a setback or when I experience loss. I have learnt through the years that its human to experience these not so pleasant emotions, but it is my response to handling them that determines my outcome in terms of handling my feelings.

Therefore, what I do is acknowledge the emotions and work my way through them, as well as ensuring I learn from the unpleasant encounter!

If you are to become the President of Botswana, what would you do for the youth to deter them from Immorality?

I do not believe you can save anyone from immortality.

I have come to believe in knowledge, but it does not stop there for me, it has to be accompanied by understanding, and eventually be displayed in wisdom. My go to book in terms of drawing life lessons is the Holy Bible, so the scriptures say in Hosea 4:6

“My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true.” (The Message translation).

It is important to educate and equip the youth, therefore as President I would set support structures and systems in place to help the absorption and practice of self-knowledge and understanding, which leads to self-leadership.

Can you briefly tell us about your firm N. Hessy Consultancy?

N Hessy Consultancy is a boutique consultancy, which was established in 2020, Gaborone Botswana. The Consultancy focuses on strategic human capital development, mainly “organizational and people development”, strategic image, and personal branding management. As well as, personal and professional development coaching, amongst other things.

What are some of your achievements?

Establishing my business, which is aligned with my passion for helping people develop, grow, and thrive.

Another one is being involved in community development initiatives. I have come to learn that trees do not eat their own fruits, they produce them for others. Similarly, I have been endowered with my abilities to be a blessing to others!

Where do you hope to be in the next four years?

I have huge dreams for myself and the business. In the next four years, I would like to have built a solid foundation and influence within the SME space within Botswana, as well as having tapped in to the South African and Namibian markets. I would like to have also built my speaking portfolio at a continental level.