MAUREEN NAMUNSI’S SHOP FOR WOMEN’S GOODS
Maureen opened and is currently operating a shop which deals in cosmetics and women accessories. She was able to rent the shop with the money she saved as a member of Namunsi “N” village saving and loans association.
Capital
To rent and the establish the shop she invested two million uganda shillings, part of which went to pay rent and the other she used to purchase starting stock; but this was not enough.
But as luck would have it, her mother Nakaboke Beth (also a member in one of the savings group in the Namunsi area) saw her puzzled daughter and offered her the needed money.
Break through
Within a short time her stock emptied, while more customers started flocking to her shop. This can be credited to the location of the business. Her shop is on the main road and which makes it accessible for customers.
Diversification
Maureen has also added different items in the business to meet the demand for customers, like clothes, shoes, perfumes, and other suggested goods. She explains, “I study my customers thoroughly and am always keen on taking advice from them. Using the feedback has helped so much in growing my business. I make sure the place is tidy, my service is efficient, and I treasure my customers.”
Regarding her salary, Maureen noted, “I have no specific salary. At the end of the month I restock and pay all the bills and what I realize as the balance is what I spend on myself and the family as well as savings in the Namunsi “N” village saving and loans association group. I am patient, I save some money in the savings group because I have future aspirations that I need to reach [she says this with a bright smile] and also, Sacrifice is one of the lessons I have learned.”
Goal
Maureen expressed, “I also achieved my goal of completing my bachelor’s degree. I was previously forced to pause my studies due to the fact that I got pregnant through my own negligence. This was a lesson to me because I got pregnant when I was young and did not know anything about motherhood. I forced myself into early marriage which caused me suffering and torture. But I am now happy, for I was able to go back to school. Thank you to Maple Microdevelopment because it’s because of them that I have been able to save money to start the business, but also I got some loans from the group to pay for my tuition to complete my degree.
Challenge
The challenges I now face in the business include people who want credit sales, and the ever–rising prices of commodities and scarcity. But in all, I am able to deal with them since am focused to succeed in my business.