Rising Woman winners learn from Kenyan entrepreneurs

A group of Ugandan businesswomen are in Nairobi, Kenya for a business travel where they are interfacing with successful businesswomen in the country to receive lessons on how to run successful businesses.

The women are winners under the ‘Rising Woman’, an initiative to recognise and reward women in business through mentorship. The initiative and trip are sponsored by Dfcu Bank in partnership with Daily Monitor and Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).

The women have so far received talks from Ms Evelyn Mungai, proprietor of Evelyn College of Design Limited, Ms Terry Mungai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashley’s Beauty College and Beauty Shops and Ms Esther Muchemi, group CEO of Samchi Group which runs Space International, Samchi Telecom, Mergut Telcoms Limited, Samchi Credit and After 40 Hotel.

“I have gained insight on diverse approaches to business from prominent and very experienced entrepreneurs. I am also expanding my network given the interaction with the prize winners, speakers, Dfcu Bank and Monitor staff members,” Sandra Bushuyu, a director at Beyond Edge, a youth-led company involved in documentation.

Ms Bushuyu has learnt the importance of personal evaluation in the aspects of spirituality, physical fitness, financial progress, personality, aspiration and professionalism that were never incorporated in her work from the start.

“I believe this trip will enable our women generate better business ideas, be inspired by the Kenyan counterparts and are going to create connections that will go beyond ordinary business horizons. I urge the ladies to take this opportunity to explore the potential that will come along with it and make more possible in their businesses,” explains Ms Victoria Byenkya, manager of the Women in Business under which the ‘Rising Woman’ project is coordinated.

Ms Elizabeth Namaganda, the Brand Manager of Monitor Publications Limited said: “It is a fruitful engagement and our wish is that they do not remain the same in business but rather apply any of the advice given to them. I want to thank Dfcu bank and UIA for having been part of this initiative and supported it all the way. I also call upon the women out there to watch out for the 2019 programs.”

“One thing people never realise is how lonely the Entrepreneurship journey can be. The country will celebrate you for employing a country mate that could have been out on the streets, jobless if it wasn't for your business. You go home but don't rest, you enter bed but don't sleep, you put food on your plate buy don't eat... because the reality of your obligation weighs you down,” narrates Ms Manuela Pacutho, founder of ‘The Craddle’, a 24-hour infant care centre.

She added: “Until you are lucky to be selected for the Rising Woman Challenge, you would never hear from Terry Mungai that she had taken a USD 8000 loan from a money shark to buy a salon business only two months later to go to her corporate job and found the bank has been put under receivership. Or hear from Esther Muchemi how she came to work one day and 60 of her employees had left without prior notice and her stock sat there staring at her. If it wasn't for the selfless initiatives by DFCU Bank, Daily Monitor and UIA, you would never understand that challenges are not a road block but a preparation for your greatness.”

“The workshop presenters have made a mark in our lives. We've been motivated by their stories. They told us how we can build sustainable business models, how to build strategic partnerships and the importance of investing in the right team which has been valuable,” explains Ms Linnet Nkunda Akol, Managing Director of Krystal Ice.