Sarah Jane Russell

Experience

• 

  Capital FM Kenya

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  News Editor

  With hourly news bulletins and a team of 10 journalists, my job was to provide the best non biased news coverage on radio. And that's what we did! My proteges included Laura Walubengo (media personality) and Kimberley Leonard (Sky News). Training was key and I developed a strict editorial policy and brought in substantial revenue through sponsorship of the main news and other features.

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  Red Sky

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Account Manager

  Heading up the Safaricom advertising account in an agency with innovative creative and against the odds. My role was in client service, working on ground breaking projects such as MPesa, Sambaza, Bonga Points, Brand commercials, CSR, PR and events. High stress and little praise, but a big learning experience. Did I say I came up with the name MPesa - claim to fame!

• 

  IRIN - humanitarian news and analysis

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Sub Editor

  Editing online content for the UN's most effective news portal.

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  Bella Luna Ltd

  Jun 2010 - Jun 2014

  Managing Director

  A small start up bakery with a big vision that was realised through hard work and tailor made solutions for food and retail businesses needing quality baked goods. Bella Luna was founded with a secret to perfect New York style Bagels and grew into a SME supplying restaurants, hotels and supermarkets with handmade, top quality breads, cookies, cakes and snacks in Nairobi.We employed women from the slums and empowered them with chef training and bakery excellence. BLK was a life choice and growing experience into the food industry that changed my life. From 5 staff to 25 in four years and increasing the turnover 8 fold, I sold the company to passionate new owners and moved to South East Asia for 18 months. Show less

• 

  Artcaffe Coffee and Bakery

  Feb 2016 - Dec 2016

  Head of Sales and Marketing

  Responsible for Artcaffe's inhouse 'agency' team, rolling out marketing and sales activities for Artcaffe and its four sister brand; Dormans, Urban Gourmet Burger, OhCha & Tapas. This includes development of campaigns within the restaurants, Branding, Social Media, Advertising (Above & Below the line), Websites, Sales Opportunities, Development of ArtBakery and other related products. Advisor on menu development and market appraisal.

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  Tamanisha Ltd

  Jan 2017 - now

  Managing Director and Head Chef

  Heading up consultancy services for restaurants, hotels and lodges in need of key expertise in food production, menu re-evaluation, rebranding, problem solving, standardisation of recipes and implementation of SOPs, hygiene, staff recruitment, social media and marketing and customer service. This is a full turnkey operation to provide tailor made solutions, long and short term, for the food and hospitality industry in Kenya, as well assist with start up restaurants or other food businesses. Show less