Top women give tips on preparing for your future

Dr Maggie Kigozi

At a women’s conference organised by Uganda Revenue Authority held at UMA show grounds Lugogo on March 7, 2018, prominent professional women gave tips on how one can prepare for the uncertain future.

Save
Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Amelia Kyambadde says saving is the first step towards preparing for a great future. This should be done regardless of the amount of money one earns.

Look for opportunities
Dr Maggie Kigozi the President of Business and Professional Women, Uganda (BPW) urges one to discover the opportunities in your society.
She says there are a few gaps in services like education especially vocational studies, the financial sector where you can team up with a group of people and start giving loans, tourism, and agriculture among others.
“Before you venture in any kind of business, know which problem you are solving, whose needs you are fulfilling, whose success you are celebrating and whose desire you are meeting,” says Maria Odido the Director Bee Natural Honey

Manage your cash flow
Annet Mulindwa Nakawunde the MD Finance Trust Bank says learn to manage your money by critically looking at your cash flow. Loans are expensive and can bring you down therefore be sure you can pay back before applying for one and don’t divert the money into other things.
Kyambadde adds that you should also learn to differentiate between personal money and business money.

Believe you can
Doris Akol the Commissioner General URA says you need to believe that you can and you will be half way there. She explains this through May Kay’s quote ,
“Just like May Kay says do not limit yourself, many people limit themselves to what they think they can do, you can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe remember you can achieve.”
She adds that you also need to pay your taxes to operate peaceful ly without any worry.

Be trustworthy
Margaret Ssekidde, director Seroma Enterprises says being transparent and trustworthy is the most important ingredient towards attaining success in business. People will learn to trust you and will be ready to support you.
“I get materials from manufacturers and pay after selling, if I was a cheat, I would have fallen in the first stages of operation,” she says.

Work hard
Nakawunde notes that competent women are more attractive than those who concentrate on just their appearance.
She urges women to work hard for the future as no one will do it for them. She says most women spend a lot of time taking care of men and end up forgetting that they have a life to shape.

Keep records
Lovis Kikakazi, 65, a Real Estate Developer, says record keeping is crucial for the smooth running of your business. Records show you how much you are progressing in business and your cash flow.
Kigozi says it is on this that URA will base to tax you, if you have no books, they will use an estimation which may affect you.
Odida says you can as well keep records on your phone by downloading an excel App which is very easy.

Look after yourself
Ruth Tina Kibirige, the director Tiner School of Beauty says that being a mother or businesswoman does not mean looking awful, eat healthy, work out, keep in shape and drink plenty of water.

Look for knowledge
Maria Odido notes that you should look for knowledge, especially things that will make your work easy and more productive. She says ICT should be highly embraced because the world is now moving at a fast rate.
“Women should aim at working smart away from the ordinary of working hard,” she said.
It is clear that women need to lean on each other for knowledge. No one woman has it all.