Businesswoman Cris Njoki has advised creatives that talent alone is not enough to achieve success.
She said many people focus on being gifted but fail to learn how to turn their skills into something that can generate income and create opportunities.
According to Cris, there are talented individuals who continue to struggle despite their abilities. She explained that success often comes from knowing how to build a business around a skill rather than relying on talent alone.
“Being talented is not enough,” Cris Njoki said on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
She noted that she has seen highly talented people face challenges while others with average talent have managed to create successful lives for themselves. She explained that the difference is often how they use and develop their skills.
“I know incredibly talented people who are struggling, and I know people with average talent who built extraordinary lives because they learned how to turn their skill into a business,” Cris Njoki said.
The creative encouraged people to view their talents differently. She explained that skills should not only be seen as gifts but also as tools that can help build a future and create financial stability.
“Your talent is not just a gift. It’s an income stream. It’s a company. It’s a legacy,” Cris Njoki said.
Building beyond talent
Cris also challenged creatives to change how they think about hardship. She said people should stop celebrating struggle and instead focus on creating the kind of life they want through their work and abilities.
“As creatives, we have to stop romanticising the struggle and start building the lives we actually want,” Cris Njoki said.
She explained that many people spend too much time trying to prove they are the most talented person in a room. According to her, that should not be the main objective for anyone seeking long-term success.
“The goal was never to be the most talented person in the room,” Cris Njoki said.
Cris said the bigger aim should be achieving independence and creating opportunities through one’s skills. She noted that talent can open doors when it is developed and managed with a clear purpose.
She concluded by encouraging creatives to focus on growing and building around their talents. She explained that skills can create lasting results when people commit themselves to developing them beyond their natural abilities.
