We recently had the chance to connect with Mr. Pima Mbwana and have shared our conversation below.
Pima, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
What I am chasing is purpose, fulfillment and peace. What would happen if I stopped would be chaos and an unfulfilled life with no purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Pima Mbwana. I’m originally from Dar Es Salaam Tanzania and I grew up in Ithaca New York.
My hands-on experience in logistics, market strategy, and business development has given me a practical understanding of what it takes to turn a nascent idea into a scalable business.
A honed ability to rapidly assess market potential, identify key risks, and develop comprehensive business models underscore my capability to act as a thought partner.
With my extensive background in venture investment, startup mentorship, and co-founding a successful company, I am confident in my ability in building and scaling exceptional enterprises.
At the age of 25: sleeping in my parent’s basement with $20 to my name.
At the age of 26: took a $1,000 marketing budget and turned it into $700,000 in gross profit in 6 months of a company I helped co-found.
At the age of 28: speaking with elementary, middle, high school and college students about entrepreneurship and being a venture mentor.
At the age of 30: the company I helped co-found became an essential business during the worst global pandemic in human history which made me and my business partners black history. I also started learning how to fly helicopters.
At the age of 35: Building my next startup and raising venture capital for that startup all while working on a commercial helicopter pilot license.
For a more In-Depth explanation please see the following below:
Pima Mbwana is a seasoned venture investor, brand strategist, and entrepreneur with a track record of transforming early-stage ideas into compelling consumer products and successful businesses. As the founder and CEO of PM Brands LLC, Pima collaborates remotely with startup founders to guide them through every stage of the entrepreneurial journey—from ideation, prototyping, and product development to go‑to‑market strategy, revenue generation, scalability, and exit planning .
Pima co‑founded The Cut Buddy, a grooming tool that gained national attention through an appearance on Shark Tank, secured a licensing deal with Daymond John, and achieved widespread retail distribution in major outlets like Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, and more . Under his leadership, the company sold over 100,000 units within two years and formed strategic licensing partnerships that accelerated growth.
Pima Mbwana is a certified net‑zero builder and visionary entrepreneur from Tanzania. Leveraging his certified expertise in zero‑energy building design, he is pioneering a new frontier in sustainable technology through his startup Cubed Data Enterprises, Inc.
At Cubed Data Enterprises, Pima’s mission is to transform Africa’s digital infrastructure by delivering modular data centers powered entirely by renewables, with an initial focus on Tanzania—his homeland. These data centers are designed for rapid deployment and built using net‑zero building principles: solar‑powered operations, innovative heat recovery systems that turn cooling water into hydroelectric power and potable water, a deeply energy‑efficient design.
Why this matters: Africa—home to over 1.4 billion people—is served by less than 300 megawatts of data center capacity today, creating a critical digital access gap. Cubed Data Enterprises aims to close this gap while setting a new standard for sustainable infrastructure across the continent.
By combining advanced modular construction techniques with solar and water reuse systems, Cubed Data delivers scalable, eco‑friendly digital hubs. These solutions empower both local and international businesses to access scalable, reliable, and sustainable data infrastructure.
Earlier in his career, Pima gained experience at Momentum Worldwide and as a social media and communications strategist for nonprofits and grassroots ventures. He also worked in corporate sales roles and managed retail and hospitality teams—broadening his expertise in building audience engagement and revenue channels.
An advocate for lifelong learning and mentorship, Pima served as a Venture Mentor with Arizona State University’s Venture Devils program and shares his entrepreneurial insights with youth—from elementary through high school—via Nepris Inc . Rooted in a philosophy inspired by Who Moved My Cheese?, he emphasizes continuous growth, collaboration, adaptability, and a relentless drive to “sniff out cheese” in both business and life.
Pima holds a B.S. in Communications from Ithaca College and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Tompkins Cortland Community College. He also participated in Venture University’s startup accelerator program.
Highlights & Expertise
• Venture incubation & startup acceleration
• Integrated marketing communications & brand building
• Product development, pricing strategy, distribution, licensing
• Equity-based advisory & strategic partnerships
• Mentorship & educational outreach in entrepreneurship
Notable Achievements
• Shark Tank-featured co‑founder of The Cut Buddy—over 100K units sold and major retailer/listing distribution
• CEO & strategic advisor to multiple emerging consumer brands via PM Brands LLC
• Mentor with Arizona State University and guest speaker for various educational platforms.
This emphasizes Pima’s leadership, brand-building acumen, hands-on startup experience, and mentorship roles—showcasing a well-rounded profile appealing to investors, founders, educational institutions, and consumer-facing ventures.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents. I spoke to my dad a few years ago to ask him life questions. I asked him what was the moment he felt most proud of me? He answered with different moments in my life ,however, the moment that was particularly interesting to me was when I was 3 to 4 years old.
He told me at 3 to 4 years old I asserted myself and stood up for myself. He told me, “that’s when I knew I have someone here that can stand up for themselves and I just need to point this guy in the right direction.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
What suffering taught me that success could have never taught me was the genuine relationships in my life. As a venture builder I am creating new innovations that have never been done before. Suffering taught me with whom I can share those ideas with and not be ridiculed rather yet encouraged to pursue the idea and avenues they think I should look into to advance the idea.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
A post from Earn Your Leisure highlights a study showing that Africa loses approximately $4.2 billion annually due to negative and biased portrayals by Western media. This coverage, especially during politically sensitive times like elections, tends to overemphasize violence and corruption, which damages investor confidence and hampers economic growth.
The study suggests that if media representation were more balanced and accurate, African countries could reduce these losses significantly—ranging from $50 million to $495 million per country each year—boosting both investment and development across the continent.
Key takeaway: Media narratives have real economic consequences. A shift toward fair and comprehensive reporting on Africa could unlock billions in growth and opportunity.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
What I am doing today that won’t pay off until 7-10 years is acquiring a commercial helicopter pilot’s license and building Cubed Data Enterprises Inc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cde-int.net/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pimambwana/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cubeddataenterprisesinc?si=eKw0AhlDqK8dy5lL
- Other: Cubed Data Enterprises Inc. LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cubed-data-enterprises-inc-410680373
Email for Pima Mbwana at Cubed Data Enterprises Inc: Pimambwana@cde-int.net
