Running a small business in Uganda comes with its challenges. Many entrepreneurs wake up early, open their shops promptly, and put in long hours, yet still watch as customers pass them by without stepping inside. This was exactly my experience for nearly three years.
My name is Joan, a shop owner in Kireka, and the road to turning my business around has been long, exhausting, and full of setbacks. But today, I can proudly say that my shop is now one of the most crowded in the neighborhood.
From morning till evening, customers stream in like houseflies, and I am finally enjoying the level of success I once only dreamed of.
I’m sharing my story because I know many business owners struggle in silence, and what worked for me might help someone else too.
For years, I believed that sheer hard work would be enough. I stocked quality products, cleaned my shop every morning, arranged everything neatly, and even ran small promotions.
Yet, people still walked past my shop and bought from others nearby. Sometimes, I would stand at the entrance for hours without a single customer.
Meanwhile, my competitors would sell out quickly and restock every couple of days. I felt embarrassed, frustrated, and at a loss.
Friends would suggest that maybe I was unlucky or that running a business wasn’t meant for me. But deep inside, I knew I needed a breakthrough. The hardest moments..TO READ MORE, TAP HEREa
