NEVER DESPISE THE POWER OF HUMBLE BEGINNING

 I listened to an audio about the beginnings of Enterprise Uganda which started in 2001. Today it has nurtured world class entrepreneurs such as Victorious schools and KinderCare. Mr Charles Ocici, the Executive Director gave numerous examples of ordinary citizens who came to the entrepreneurship trainings without any knowledge but today have several businesses. This message is very critical in an era where formal jobs are scarce( this is not good news to any graduate who has spent many years at university toiling but some times the truth sets you free). Even stakeholders doubted the impact that Enterprise Uganda would have but today the testimonies are overwhelming. 

Every human being has infinite potential in them. Google started from a garage. Coca Cola started as an idea. KFC which is a global empire which was established by Colonel Sanders started during his retirement since he had a chicken recipe . His idea was rejected by different funders. Equity Bank which is a financial conglomerate in over six African countries started as a humble building society in Kenya and today has impacted over 15 million customers in Africa is an inspiring story of what an African can do. There are many other leading stories of African entrepreneurs who started humbly and can inspire us to do great things. There are people who do not have jobs simply because we have not implemented our ideas. Surprisingly businesses are created to solve problems and Africa has plenty of problems to solve but many times we allow fear to dominate us.

We have seen Indians come to Uganda with nothing apart from ideas and experience but with in a few years they start big supermarkets. At the same time we have witnessed many prominent youths who had the potential to invest money into business wipe it away in reckless spending. In a nation that is dominated by youths( over 70% of the population) we need to inspire them to appreciate the power of humble beginnings. It is a rare case that a business will make profits in its first year but due to lack of patience many youths abandon their ideas.

On a good note the narrative is changing. In a recent financial literacy training that I conducted at Makerere University Business School I was impressed by the activities of the entrepreneurship class where students are being trained on how to do real business. They are demystifying the concept of business that one needs to first complete their degree to start a business. It is said that most of the leading entrepreneurs in Kikuubo which is business hub in Kampala are not PHD holders. This should inspire anyone to implement their business idea so as long as it is legal.


HOW TO APPRECIATE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

1. Have a big vision for your life

2.Be curious. Every area has plenty of business opportunities

3.Do not fear to start small. All great businesses and organizations started small.

4. Acquire entrepreneurial knowledge. It is in plenty

5.Learn from mistakes. Thomas Edison who formed the light bulb is said to have failed over 1000 times. He did not give up.

6. Invest in financial literacy training.

7. Learn and associate with other successful entrepreneurs.

8.Celebrate small victories

9.Invest in life long learning

10. Read news papers . There are plenty of business opportunities

11.Focus on serving others 

12.Think long term

13.Believein your dreams


Every person has a story to tell. The potential that is in every human being is enormous. The youths who end up with no businesses of their own can be empowered to start. Every youth can do something and become an agent of change. The question is how many of them wake up determined to make their ideas to come true?. There is power in humble beginnings. The success stories such as Equity Bank that stated as a small building society in Kenya and it is now one of the leading financial conglomerates should motivate a youth not to fold their hands in a generation with plenty of opportunities to make money. Unfortunately the choice should be made by the individual. If others can succeed we too can succeed.

Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach(PCC)

+256752615916

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