This monthly series gives you a behind-the-scenes look at A Day in the Life of a Comms Professional.
Meet Tabvi Motsi, a Brand Strategist and Marketing Director at Talent Match Inc. With over 20 years of experience, he co-founded The BShop Africa, empowering brands through storytelling and digital innovation. An author and illustrator, his book 45 Lessons From My Father showcases his passion for authentic African narratives. He is also the Associate Chapter Lead for The Comms Avenue Rwanda Chapter.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I run my own digital marketing agency, but I also serve as the Marketing Director for Talent Match, a social enterprise focused on capacity building and career development for students and postgraduates transitioning into the professional world. My day can get hectic at times because of these dual roles.
Typically, my mornings are dedicated to strategy, creativity, and mentorship since I’m also a trainer. I wake up early, sometimes around 3 or 4 a.m. and begin my day with meditation, reading, or listening to audiobooks. On other days, I might watch motivational speakers or study branding experts whose work inspires me. After that, I go through my checklist for the day and handle client tasks. By noon, I shift focus to meetings, which usually take place till after lunch. In the evenings, I spend quality time with my family.
Do you have any specific routines or habits that help you prepare for work?
Absolutely. As a morning person, I try to sleep early so I can wake up extra early. To start my day positively, I avoid jumping straight into digital distractions. Instead, I engage in activities such as reading (both motivational and fun books), listening to music, or reflecting on the previous day.
Exercise is another key part of my routine, though I prefer doing it in the evening before bed. Additionally, I write everything down, it helps me stay organised. I also dedicate time each day to communicate with clients and ensure smooth collaboration. Some days, I set aside time purely for learning, shutting off all distractions to absorb new knowledge. Finally, unwinding with family, friends, or even a whiskey session helps me relax.
What tools or apps do you use most often in your job, and why?
As someone who started as a graphic designer, Adobe Creative Cloud remains one of my primary tools, I rely heavily on Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat. However, over the years, as I’ve shifted more toward strategy, I’ve incorporated additional tools. For instance, I use Google Analytics to analyze campaign performance and optimize strategies for my clients.
AI tools like ChatGPT have become essential too; although I haven’t tried DeepSeek yet, I find value in integrating AI solutions into my workflow.
For design simplicity, I love Canva Pro and link all my clients to its pro accounts to streamline Brand management. Buffer handles my social media scheduling efficiently. Google Workspace ensures seamless collaboration with both internal teams and external clients via Docs, Sheets, and Drive. Lastly, Amazon KDP plays a significant role in promoting my book as an author. These tools collectively support my diverse responsibilities.
If you weren’t working in Communications, what career path would you explore?
That’s actually one of the hardest questions for me to answer because storytelling is deeply ingrained in who I am. Depending on the context, I embody different personas, as a speaker, marketer, writer, etc., but switching off completely feels challenging.
That said, if I weren’t tied to corporate communication, I’d still be a storyteller. Specifically, I’d immerse myself in pop culture and entertainment.
I’m a huge fan of artists ranging from Fela Kuti to Michael Jackson, Walt Disney, and contemporary creators like Kanye West. Developing animated stories, much like Disney or Pixar, fascinates me. Telling African stories and elevating global narratives would be my ultimate passion project outside of mainstream communications.
What’s your favorite way to relax after work?
Relaxation isn’t always easy for me because I tend to stay engaged mentally. However, spending time with my family brings immense joy. Playing with my daughters reignites my childlike curiosity, they inspire me with their innocence, love for arts, stories, cartoons, and books.
Together, we sketch, write little cartoons, and even work on a book series that we hope to finish this year. Watching Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime together is another shared activity. Documentaries, especially on Netflix, also provide a relaxing escape. Ultimately, being fully present with my kids allows me to unwind and forget about work pressures.
