Inspired By Love: Friends’ Hustles

This week we continue to love on more businesses through the Inspired by Love series. These are businesses whose services/products I have sought and used respectively. In these series, I invite you to check them out and also give them a shot. Today, I will serve you katogo, a mixture of different types of businesses namely; food, clothing, publishing.

The Food Place run by Macklyn Kemigisha

The Food Place is redefining the tradition of the food chain that is; from the garden to the plate. To every tongue that tastes, we believe food should be delicious, organic and healthy. The beauty comes with the process from preparation to serving. We believe that the food process is one that should be handled with a lot of love. Where love is, there is beauty, there is protection and preservation. The way you cook, serve and preserve your food matters a great deal to us. And where love abides, waste has no room.

They are currently running a salad bar that provides fresh lunch salad that won’t have your tongue and tummy working in overtime. They serve different salads each day of the week; Monday-chicken fajita, Tuesday-chicken mayo and cauliflower, Wednesday-chicken stir fry, Thursday-roast chicken and mango salsa and Friday-chicken strips with pineapple coleslaw.

For deliveries, call 0755 911999/07843-12665

Waddies run by Walter Wandera

Waddies provides a variety of snacks ranging from daddies, ground nuts, and peanut butter. The daddies come in four flavors-ginger, vanilla, coconut and cinnamon. They are soft and easy on the teeth, if you know what I mean.

You can have these snacks in your home, office desk, take for your children in boarding school as `grab’.

Visit the Waddies Facebook page –http://tiny.cc/wjkhkz or call 0751-166255 for orders.

A dozen at 12,000 ugx

Peanut butter at 30,000ugx

Rainbow cakes by Lydia Kakaire

It is easy to give up on a number of things but not the baker. Bakers have a way of finding without you having to go head hunting for them. Rainbow cakes is not any different. The taste of their sumptuous cakes precedes them. Like a missile launched from a fa, soon it finds its target. With your choice of flavor, your cake finds once you ask for one. You should give yourself a treat.

Follow Rainbow Cakes on Facebook –http://tiny.cc/likhkz

Unique Liz by Atai Elizabeth

Unique Liz is an umbrella business that encompasses personal shopping at affordable rates and flexible terms on the market, decoration and gift hampers and concept building for gifts. Unique Liz does decor for traditional and church weddings, baby and bridal showers, set shoots and so much more. This brand transforms faces and spaces.

Mutano by Sheila 

Mutano is an accessories brand dealing in bags, jewellery, and other accessories handmade in Uganda with a passion for social impact.

Follow Mutano on Facebook–http://tiny.cc/3kkhkz

Instagram-Mutano

Honey Badger

Honey badger is a publishing house that offers a wide range of publishing services from writing to layout and design to printing. They have printed and published books like Dried Rose Petals and Lavender Buds by  Salma Abdulatif, Enjoying Your Bible by Beatrice Byemanzi, Mind Your Brand by Ariho Kamara, Becoming Mrs.James by  Juliana Kayaga Sserembe, Justice UNLIMITED by Jesse Mugero, God`s Medicine by Gerald Mwebe and many others.ma. 

Contact them on +256 773 443945 (available on whatsapp). Follow Honey Badger on Facebook– http://tiny.cc/omkhkz

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Inspired By Love: Prossy Namulindwa

If you were here last week, you probably know we are loving on some businesses through a blog Series- Inspired by Love. If you missed last week`s business, find it here- http://tiny.cc/o243jz

Today, I put the spotlight on Yonja Multipurpose Liquid Detergent run by Prossy Namulindwa, a hands-on firebrand lady fascinated by chemicals and is commonly known as chemical by her peers. Here is what Prossy had to share about her business.

They say cleanliness is only next to godliness. As a child, I was nurtured to adore cleanliness. It is one of the instructions that is always repeated all over again. And naturally, clean spaces are always inviting. They beckon you to come and stay. Have you ever cleaned a house and felt unworthy of entering it because you will make it dirty again? Yet it is also human that at times we fail to bring to ourselves the things we dearly want.  That is where we at Yonja come in. We come into your usually busy lives to help you put “the house to order”. Yonja Multipurpose liquid detergent helps to ease your cleaning, leaving your space sparkling clean.

Origin of Yonja
Yonja was birthed when I was referred by one of my former bosses to work with a particular company given my academic background in chemical engineering. It’s from there that I picked interest in the various cleaning products and cosmetics, a couple of which I got trained in. I later decided to start making liquid soap. At first, it was for pleasure and I freely gave out liquid soap to my neighbors, friends and relatives. This to me was a season of experimenting until I decided that I wanted to make money from my new skill.
I started out with producing one and five litre Jerry cans of Yonja and have now expanded to producing 10 litres and 20 litres. The prices are as follows-one litre- 2000 ugx, five litres – ugx 10,000, ten litres –ugx 20,000 and twenty litre -32,000 litre. We are also working on producing Yonja Shower Gel and Yonja hand wash soon.

Meaning of Yonja
When you listen to yourself speak, you realize the word Yonja has an onomatopoeic reference to its literal version; to clean. And as thus, like they say, the apple doesn`t fall far from the tree. Yonja is simply all about cleaning; to clean and make clean. The name was born out of the desire to be unique with a global goal of cleaning and being clean.

2020 plans
Yonja is a young brand with intentions of growth. Hopefully into a household brand that goes on to live in every household. The dream is that big. However, we had to start somewhere and that is exactly what we are doing; creating cleaning detergent and making it available for consumption. To this we are casting our net even further, by training others on how to make simple detergents like liquid soap in March.
However, we are also tirelessly working to make our new products readily available on the market. Be on the lookout for our shower gel and hand wash all branded with the boldness that is the Yonja logo. 

Where can the products be found?
The products are produced in Lugala along Philip Morris road and one can place an order of any volume via a call on 0781838040/0703211939 and the order can be picked or delivered.

People can also connect with us on Facebook @Yonja Multipurpose Liquid Detergent

https://web.facebook.com/yonjayou/

Inspired By Love

As we all know, February is the time of the year when there is love in the air. If you are living in Kampala, I`m certain that you`ve walked past red roses and multiple billboards announcing valentine`s day offers, and concerts.

I, on the other hand, have chosen to show love to some businesses in a blog series titled Inspired by Love. These are products I have used and fallen in love with.  I’d like to use this opportunity to share the love with you.

Today, I put the spotlight on Ushindi Creations run by Persist Muwanguzi Businge, a lady who weaves creation into being. I asked Persist to tell me about her business and this is what she shared.

The Birth

Ushindi is a Swahili word which means Victory or Victor, the same meaning as my Surname. I once had a Tanzanian best friend who baptized me the name so I took it on as a sign of my commitment to learning her language for 2 years which I can now speak very well.

My love for creating things with my hands goes way back to when I was about 6 years old. My mother inspired me with her crafty works. She took me on as her apprentice and taught me most of the things she knew then like knitting, weaving, plaiting hair, stitching and many others. She used to make baskets from raphia and “Enjulu” (I don’t know the English word for that), mats (mikeeka) from palm leaves, table mats (ebitambaala) from yarn by crocheting, beaded purses and bead work, wall hangings and sweaters which she taught me how to make. My other siblings-three in total, learnt a thing or two but I wanted to learn it all. We did some painting and drawing too which things all stuck with me. For everything she made, I make a smaller version for myself and I got paid for it. I then took on Fine Art in O and A level. In my Senior six vacation I concentrated on learning bead work and got all the knowledge I needed in that sector, and it paid off.

I went on to do Industrial Art and Design at University where I graduated with a Degree in Industrial Art and Design. While on campus, I learnt how to use looms and other tools for weaving on top of the crocheting my mother taught me.  I acquired skills in fabric decoration, Ceramics, Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Graphics design, Weaving, Multimedia crafts, Installation art and many other things.

The Growth

Creating Art for me was more of a passion than a source of income; most of the things I made, I gave them away as gifts instead of selling them because they were priceless gifts. I created a lot of things ranging from hair accessories, earrings, bangles, jumpers, Ottomans (chairs), lampshades, dresses and many other things.

I never shared or advertised most of my work but those who knew, kept making orders while I gave them things for free.

Fascinators at UGX 25,000

Light Bulb Moment

One day while attending SFFG (Straight Forward Financial Growth training), we were told to write down a list of income streams and price them, I hadn’t included my artwork. I looked at it as a gift stream.  Then I received instruction from God to split and categorize all the things I was doing, advertise them and put them on sale. The Ushindi earrings made it to the top and I priced them and opened up a shop on Jumia as an act of obedience. From that day, I knew I had to make it work. God would wake me up at night and give me an idea of how to make different ear ring styles. He then told me to give out every first -perfect pair of invention to specific people and I’ve been doing that since. The ear rings and accessories have evolved from a pass time venture to a source of income for me.

Pair or earrings at UGX 20,000

Today

A number of products are available. They include; earrings, brooches, backpacks, bow ties, fascinators, dresses and skirts, jumpers, t-shirts and paintings.

 

Place Your Order Today

WhatsApp on +256 781 961854

Facebook –Persist Chambers Ushindi

Day 10 of #BOTY2019: News Story

This has been the hardest to work on. I went back and forth,trying to remember which news story caught my attention this year and why. These three news stories stood out for me.Africans went onto the global stage and showed off-in a the most brilliant way possible.

Miss South Africa 2019 winning Miss Universe 2019

Zozibini Tunzi

Solomon Serwanjja won  the 2019 BBC World News Komla Dumor Award. Ugandan investigative reporter and news anchor at Uganda’s NBS TV, where he hosts one of the channel’s prime-time shows.

My friend Noeline Kirabo,founder of Kyusa,spoke at TEDWomen 2019:Bold + Brilliant in California. 

 

What News Story caught your attention this year-good or bad?

MY FRIENDS HUSTLES: PART 1

Sharing is Caring. This is a phrase that you`ve probably heard be said over and over and over. For the next few weeks, I have purposed that I  am going to be practical with that slogan.

I`m all about sharing with the world what I do but I especially love sharing what my friends do. Not to brag, but I have some pretty cool friends.

I plan to do a 3 part series showcasing what my friends do. I`ve titled this series, “My Friends Hustles”.

I want you to know them and one day, give them business. I know I`m being ambitious but hey, that`s life mwattu.

1. Hweza Creations

Hweza Creations customize items like tees, vests, hoodies, cushions, cups and so much more .

Facebook: Hwezacreations https://www.facebook.com/hwezacreations/

Instagram  hweza_creations

Email: hwezacreations@gmail.com

 

2. AJ Beauty Glam

AJ Beauty Glam provides bridal styling, makeup for every function including weddings, bridal entourages, photo shoots, private events and so much more…

FB : AJ Beauty Glam https://web.facebook.com/TJGlam/

Contact: 0753-948017

Photoshoot make up📷: Ninnojackjr Photography &Peter Paican

3. Kitiibwa Designs

Kitiibwa (Kitiibwa Designs) is a growing brand in high class fashion and design.  Currently, they produce and sell handcrafted leather sandals and flip-flops for women and men that come in diverse and creative designs. They also welcome custom designs and sizes to suit the individual tastes and needs of our customers.  Their social media handles are:

FB :kitiibwadesigns https://web.facebook.com/kitiibwadesigns/

Instagram:akitiibwa

Contact: 0700 922445(available on Whatsapp)

 

4. Wami Events

This is an enterprise that focuses on providing videography and photography services for both traditional and church weddings, kukyalas (official visitation by the groom to the bride`s home), corporate events, social events and so much more.

5.Peaches Events Planning

An event planning company that provides complete, management, consulting and supervision for both Corporate and Social Events. They provide clients with spectacular events through creativity and unique planning.

FB: Peaches Events Planning https://web.facebook.com/PeachesEventsPlanning/

Instagram:@peaches_events_planning_uganda

Twitter: @EventsPeaches

You tube; @Peaches Events Planning

Comment below with a friend doing a business that must be recognized.

Love Has Come-A concert

Today,I come bearing good tidings,“Love Has Come” You must be wondering,what love has come,from where,by who and where do you put it or what do you do with it?? Sit back and I give you all the 411.

Love Has Come is a concert organised by Worship Harvest Kibuye,one of the many locations under Worship Harvest Ministries.

It is happening on 13th December ,2018 at Muganzirwaza commercial building (the home of Worship Harvest Kibuye) from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Tickets go for 10,000/=

The concert is a way of giving thanks to God for all the great things He has done and continues to do at Worship Harvest Kibuye. What better way to celebrate than through music with the world.

The headlining artistes are Brian Lubega who has popular and loved songs like Nungamya, Wakitiibwa,Wegukubira -my personal favorite under his belt.Check him out of Facebookhttps://web.facebook.com/brianlubegamusic/

Walter Wa an artist,producer and the location pastor of WHKibuye will be ministering in some of his songs Kaneyagale, Njayaniragwe,Winner feauturing Levixone and so much more. Check out his music on soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/walter-wandera-adonia

Denis Beloved a versatile artist, with songs like Taking over,New Creation and Inyin Yesu(one of my favorite songs) and You do me well. Check out his music on soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/denisbelovedCheck him out on Facebookhttps://web.facebook.com/denisbeloved/

Secure your ticket now ,comment and I will deliver it to you.

See you there!!

Bitature talk #2

Part 2 is finally here and this will mark the end of Bitature talks on the blog. Part 2  covers the business tips that stood out for me and the ones I am looking to implement. Feel free to pause and think critically on ever point and write down your answers. PS;They are in no particular order.

+Have a plan.You can`t do anything well without a plan. For any business to succeed, you must have a proper plan, short and long term. Never start anything without a plan.

+What product/ service are you offering. You must be sure of what you are offering.Your surety is what sets you apart from the already existing products/services.

+What`s your marketing strategy? Now that your certain about your product/service, what`s your marketing strategy? How ill you get your product/service known?

+Do your research. Know all about your business. The pros and cons, who else is doing it, seasons for the business.

+Keep the business system simple-tailor it to suit you and those your working with.

+Have your accounts straight. I have personally run a business before and one of the things I struggled with was a financial system. I was the law and I got into the habit of using business money to meet my personal needs. Now I know better.

+On partnership in business, partner with people who have what you don`t have. Get people on board who compliment you. They will add flair and spice to the business.

+Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. These help you to know where to specialize and who to hire for the business.

+On decision making, As the leader in your business, hear other people out and appreciate their opinions. However, make the right decisions for the business.

+Don`t be afraid to experiment. In experimenting, you learn the right way to do and not to do something. Your business will benefit from this greatly.

+Learn business language. Learn from those who are already in business,use google, network. Learn how to write a business letter, make receipts and  quotations. Learn all you can learn on this matter.

+Know where things are. Mr. Bitature narrated an old story where Uganda lacked sugar but he knew where sugar was-in Kenya. He got onto the bus and went to Kenya. He purchased lots of sugar and brought it back to Uganda and sold it off and made profit.

+Stay around progressive people. These are people who are achieving their set goals, taking on opportunities and progressing in all areas of their business. You can`t be around such people and not be challenged to be better.

+Read widely. Leaders are readers. Read on your business, read about people in the same business and learn from them.

+Pace yourself. He built Protea a four star hotel to host guests for  the common wealth meeting held in Uganda in 2007 and now he has built Naguru Skyz Hotel 10 years later. Don`t be in a rush. Understand your business patterns.

Protea hotel. Source: protea.marriot.com

I hope you can apply these principles from Mr. Bitature to your business whether a start-up or one already running.

Share business tips you have applied and have worked for you. Let`s learn together.

 

Bitature talk #1

I had the opportunity to hear business mogul Patrick Bitature speak. Oh boy!! I was clearly in the presence of greatness. I have divided the lessons learnt from Mr.Bitature`s talk into two parts and today I will share part 1.

Our gang alongside other gangs had a date with Mr Patrick Bitature,like you just can`t call a rich man plainly,you should show some level of respect.

First things first, he is a normal man, doesn’t have extra hands or feet. He has the same 24 hours like you and I .God has n`t favored him with extra hours to make money. hehehe. Therefore you and I can make it big like Mr. Bitature.

Source: patrickbitature.com

A few tips from Mr. Bitature about habits of successful people. There is no harm in trying them out. I mean these are Mr.Bitature`s habits and see where he is now. There is wisdom.

Here a few things he shared that hit home for me:

+ Success is about forming consistent habits. Why? Because habits protect from you, keep you organised and form your character. These habits give you an edge. Do you have consistent habits? What are consistent habits?

+Set goals. There is power in goal setting. Do this by writing them down on paper and remember to go ahead and achieve them. Keep revisiting them until they physically manifest. What goals have you set?How far with achieving them?

+Let achieving set goals be your consistent pattern. Don`t relax the habit.Keep doing it, until it becomes apart of you.

+Keep your focus. Don`t let your clothes, shoes, phone, hair, etc affect your focus.

+Take care of your body. Good health must be a priority for us all. To achieve your set goals, your body ought to be at 100%. Don`t ignore your health at the expense of making money. Start now to indulge in proper eating habits, drinking lots of water, get a workout routine that suits you, have enough rest and do whatever it takes to keep your health at 100%.

+Read. There is something you don`t know that can be found in a book, online material. Get reading every day, every week, month and learn something.

+Be consistent in all you commit too.

Go ahead and try these habits .If you have been practicing them, be consistent to have greater results.

Follow Mr. Bitature on twitter –https://twitter.com/patrickbitature  for more nuggets on entrepreneurship,finances and business.

Look out for Part 2 of Mr.Bitature`s talk on the blog.

 

Book review 12: Secrets of a millionaire mind

Ever met a millionaire who knows their net worth but also knows what being broke is?? Meet T. Harv Eker, the author of this amazing book. His wit and sarcasm makes the book a worthy financial read guaranteed to change your financial life-only if you put the word to work.

Photo courtesy of google

He dispels what a poor mindset looks like and gives practical steps to empower your mind to think like a millionaire. He causes you to question your money blue print which must somewhat change if you are to become a millionaire. A financial blue print is what has been passed on consciously or sub consciously about finances by our parents, environments,TV, other people and has become our truth knowingly or unknowingly. He believes, the major difference between rich people and middle class and poor people is the mindset and focus. You will find the 17 wealth files deciphering the ways rich people think differently from poor and middle class people.

The book has been revelatory for me, I am currently going through a serious financial shift in my life . Learning that my blue print needs a shift and I need to pick up thinking like the rich do and stop thinking money belongs to the rich who are thugs, corrupt, fishy has set me on a whole new financial literacy journey.“You can`t be what you despise.”

I always thought net worth is an exclusive term used by rich people (its not their term but they care more about it than the poor and middle class people )and its not important for me to know my net worth. woe unto me. I must mind my net worth in order to cut the poverty cycle in my family.

For the Christians, he thoroughly answers your questions and puts your mind at ease on whether it is okay to have lots of money since some have been taught that money is evil.

The book has practical applications and real life experiences that must be acted on to realize your financial goals.

If you admire to become rich, have your money work for you, live a dignified life, give to those in need, make contributions to family things and enjoy lunch at nice hotels without looking at the right-hand column of the menu, then this is for you.

Remember, “to get rich, learn new ways of doing things.” If you`re old ways haven`t yielded any fruit, I recommend this book asap.

For more financial tips, follow T. Harv Eker on twitter-https://twitter.com/T_Harv_Eker

Kanyu Interiors

I love exposing young people who are doing extraordinary things to my people right here. So today, I am proud to introduce to you a brilliant young lady, a lawyer and entrepreneur whose brand has a lot of potential. Enjoy the ride and the cushions.

1.Who is Kanyunyuzi Adrine?

Adrine is a simple lady with crazy ambitions and goals. She is a born again believer and holds a law degree from Makerere University. She is the founder of Kanyu Interiors, a home improvement brand that focuses on turning houses into homes. Kanyu Interiors has currently stocked versatile cushions that can be used in your living rooms, bedrooms, for picnics, bridal showers and baby showers.

2.Briefly share on the Origin of Kanyu Interiors.

(well this one is funny) I was tired of being broke and having everybody tell me that the only cure for that was to get a job.I wasn’t anywhere near qualified for all the jobs that I came across so I decided to take things into my own hands. I prayed to God to show me the way forward because as you know “man makes plans but God determines his steps.”I needed Him to show me what to do and He did. The answer came to me in the night and I got up and wrote it down. It came to me and just wouldn’t leave, it was everywhere, I would visit homes or places and just obsess over the decor or start changing it in my head till I eventually started Kanyu Interiors.

3.How long has it been running?

Believe it or not, it made a year in February,2018. Just that it has had a number of challenges from lack of clients to even actually almost going under one time.

4.Do you make the cushions yourself?

Yes, and No, we offer both customized and ready made cushions to our clients. So the customized ones are designed with the client and I get down to business while the ready made are ready for purchase any time.

5. Have you faced any hiccups while running Kanyu Interiors? If yes, what have they been?

Yes, I have had my own share of hiccups. People don`t appreciate the product so they are always looking for a bargain yet a lot goes into a product thus the price. Also,competition is always alert and watching and this keeps you on your toes.

6. Many businesses in Uganda struggle with financial systems which ruin their businesses, because business money becomes personal money. How are you handling your financial system?

All money received is immediately deposited in the bank thanks to mobile money and access is only to purchase more items for sale. In the initial stages of the business, I stole from the business.I made the business money my personal money but I realized I was shooting myself in the foot.Accountability is key. I got a mentor who is running a business too to guide me and follow up on me in this area and to ensure I grow Kanyu Interiors.

7.Future prospects for Kanyu Interiors

To be a one stop shop area for home decor that is unique and caters to each and every individual’s beautiful tastes for generations to come.

 

8.Share a few tips for anyone who is planning to start a business.

+I know this sounds cliche but don’t give up!!Find something that you love or are willing to develop and just work on it every day.

+Always be hungry for knowledge and fill yourself with knowledge and master your business.

+Do courses -online or physical class courses and read books or practice that skill till you harness it.

+Be ready to put in the work so that you can get the results that you desire.

+Involve God in all your plans, seek Him and let Him guide because in Him you will find peace even when you have no clients and you just want to give up, you will find your peace and hope in Him.

To make your cushion orders,Call or whatsapp 0700215200.

Follow Kanyu Interiors on Instagram : kanyu_interiors , FB:Kanyu Interiors, Twitter:Kanyuinteriors for cushion orders, organization hacks and tips and so much more.

Go ahead and place your order as soon as you read this. Let us support our very own.

Photo courtesy: Adrine Kanyunyuzi