Customs and Creativity: Why Professionals Should Pursue Their Passions

If you told someone you were a Customs Officer by day and a recording artist by night, they’d probably raise an eyebrow or both.Let’s be honest: throw in the fact that you also coach vocals, advocate for social justice, and run a media platform, and people really don’t know where to place you.

Welcome to my world. 😄

Sharing my music at an event organized by Transparency International Kenya. This is what it's all about: using creativity to create impact.

One side of my world: ensuring international trade is secure and lawful. It's a role that requires discipline and an eye for detail. The other side? That's when the mic comes on

As a Customs Officer at the Kenya Revenue Authority, I’ve spent years at the border (literally) working to ensure that international trade is lawful, efficient, and secure. It's a role that requires discipline, attention to detail, and the kind of patience that only comes from explaining to someone (for the third time) why they can’t bring certain items into the country.

But what many don’t see is what happens after the uniform comes off.

That’s when the mic comes on.

The Other Side of Me

Outside my day job, I write songs, record music, and perform. Recently, I took a leap and traveled to the U.S. to study audio engineering and sound production.Yes, even while working in government, I still believe in evolving as an artist and deepening my creative practice.

This summer, I also had the incredible opportunity to coach pre-teens in a vocal program at the Institute for the Musical Arts in Massachusetts.Imagine trying to explain breath control to a room full of energetic, sugar-powered 11-year-olds who are convinced they’re already Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. It was chaotic. It was beautiful. It was everything.

That same passion for creative expression and empowerment inspired me to found Pink Pulse Media, a platform that not only amplifies bold voices in music and media but also gives back by empowering the next generation of girls in music. Whether it’s through mentorship, training, or creating opportunities for young female artists to shine, our mission is to help them find their voice and own it.

Whether I’m on the mic or behind the scenes, the goal is always the same: impact that lifts others.

My time coaching a vocal program in Massachusetts. This experience taught me more about patience and leadership than any management course ever could.

Here’s What I’ve Learned

For a long time, I believed I had to keep my two lives separate. One was “serious” ; the kind of job you tell your relatives about with pride. The other was “creative” ; something you do quietly on weekends or when no one’s watching.

Eventually, I realized something important: you don’t have to choose between the two.

In fact, pursuing your passion alongside your profession can actually make you better at both.

Here’s how that’s worked for me:

• Creativity has taught me problem-solving in ways spreadsheets never will.

• Music has made me a better communicator, listener, and collaborator.

• Coaching young singers taught me more about patience and leadership than any management course ever could.

  
  

So no, music doesn’t distract me from my government role. On the contrary, it strengthens me for it.

Why This Matters (Even If You Don't Sing)

My friend, Coach Maggie, training her team. Just like her, we all have a passion outside our profession that makes us more well-rounded, innovative, and human.

You don’t have to be a musician to relate. Maybe your thing is playing football, painting, photography, gardening, writing poetry, or even coding robots in your garage. (I see you, techies.) Whatever it is, your passion is completely valid, even if it doesn't fit neatly into your job description.

Too often, we’re taught to leave parts of ourselves at the door in the name of professionalism. But the truth is, being professional should never mean silencing your personality.

In fact, our quirks, interests, and creative outlets are what make us more well-rounded, innovative, and most importantly, human.

So instead of hiding those parts of ourselves, what if we gave them permission to thrive?

Let Your Passion Speak

For me, music is more than entertainment. It’s a tool for advocacy.Through it, I speak on gender equality, social justice, and the kind of community I want to help build.

That’s what this journey is really about: living in full color, not half-lit or muted.Your career doesn't have to silence your creativity. In many cases, it can actually support it.

In fact, your passion might be the bridge between who you are and the impact you’re meant to make.

Behind the scenes, learning about sound production and audio engineering. The goal is always the same, whether I'm on the mic or behind the scenes: impact that lifts others.

Your profession is what you do. Your passion is who you are. The magic happens when you let them meet.