What we can learn from the Amazing Liza Mucheru-Wisner

Juice Your Lemons
Liza has always been a fan of the apprentice. While watching the celebrity Apprentice season with Brett Michaels, she heard that Mr. Trump was interested in hearing about how the recession was affecting Americans. She had just lost a contract with a school and was mulling over what was next for her business. So she decided to write an email to the show and tell them her story. In a brief email she shared her strong feelings and attached her resume. A few weeks later, she got the call that would change the rest of her life.

Be Adaptable And Open
The call was from a producer on the Apprentice. They had a phone conversation which was an interview of sorts and after that she was invited to go to LA and audition for the show. Though she was blown away by the invitation, she had a fulltime job and a family to think about so the audition took a little rearranging and planning. After a few weeks she went to LA for the longest interview of her life. She was there for six days undergoing interviews, debates and psychological testing. These interviews were even more grueling than the actual show. Liza says that the sessions taught her to fight and defend her position. This began her journey on TV vying to be The Apprentice.

You Are More Prepared Than You Think
Looking back she realizes that her background prepared her for the Apprentice. She was involved in public speaking in high school and various student boards in college. She came to the US as an international student from Kenya and had to learn to get along with all kinds of people. Since there were hardly any Kenyans at her school, she build a new community around other international students and Americans. All these experiences taught her how to listen and communicate her point effectively which led to her placing in 3rd on The Apprentice. She says that as an immigrant; if you come across as as being open and kind and friendly, people will find something in common with you.

See A Need/Fill A Need
Liza started her company-Texas Techies because she saw wanted more for her kids. The company creates technology rich environments that inspire everyone to reach their full potential. Liza is convinced that technology is the bridge for communities because it makes all kinds of information accessible to everyone. She started the company on her kitchen table and started out by researching different ways to teach kids. They started by building a portable computer lab to take to schools to help teachers enhance their lessons. Liza shares her time between her company and her fulltime position with the Elite graduate program at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Know Your Enemy/Know Your Strategy
Liza showed a fighting spirit on the Apprentice. Though she was on the hot seat several times, she made it to third place on the show which was quite an achievement. She says that the show taught her how to defend herself and be her best salesperson. The show also helped her learn a lot about herself and how important it is to know your competition. She had great things to say about Donald Trump and her great admiration for him. She enjoyed spending four hours on the golf course with him and appreciated his passion for his work and family. His advice to Liza was "be in love with what you are doing and you will find success." She is living that out.

Your Passion Is A Gift

Liza says she always wondered why she always felt like she had to take action; she just could not let it go when she saw injustice or inequality. She has learnt to see her passion as a gift and quotes Gandhi saying "we must be the change we want to see in the world". She loves technology and loves helping people. She is glad opportunities for her business have opened up and has a vision of expanding it to Kenya. Since the show she has had a lot to think about and is working on a life plan and a rollout plan for expanding Texas Techies.

Her Parting Words
"It is tough to live your dreams and sometimes you want to throw in the towel and live a mediocre life but don't. You will face adversities but push through them. If you climb the mountain, there are great things on the other side."