Jackline Bayoa, a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, owns and operates a restaurant called Hot 7 in Arua. She’s committed to inspiring girls in Uganda to succeed through business and entrepreneurship.
Ten years ago, Jackline never dreamed she would be an entrepreneur. After growing up in a war-torn region and seeing many injustices, Jackline pursued a diploma in juvenile justice. Paying tuition was a struggle, so while on campus, she discovered a business opportunity that enabled her to continue her studies; there were not many nearby food options for the thousands of students at her school, so she opened a restaurant on campus. Jackline took a risk in using her tuition fees to start her business, and fortunately, her restaurant was a success.
In addition to being a small business owner, Jackline sees herself as a role model for other women in her community. She creates employment opportunities for women and trains and mentors youth. She has started mushroom growing and liquid soap processing initiatives to help train women in her community. She wants women to know that regardless of the challenges they face, they can still achieve their dreams and make something huge and great out of themselves.
Jackline Bayoa Podcast Transcript
Intro: Jackline Bayoa, A 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship alumna, owns and operates a restaurant called Hot 7 in Arua. She’s committed to inspiring girls in Uganda to succeed through business and entrepreneurship.
Question: Welcome… to start tell us about your business?
Jackline: Thank you so much.., I started business way back in University, WhenIi joined University there was no service provider, and most students in the University prefer eating outside food than hostel food. After seeing this huge business opportunity I took the initiative to start up a restaurant. But then i didn’t have a Capital, I didn’t have no one to talk to, I didn’t have no one to ask for money, so I used my tuition fee to startup this restaurant business, so there it was like the biggest risk for me, I had to work so hard to make sure I complete my studies and keep the restaurant running, so that’s how I started HotSeven Restaurant.
Question: How do you employ other women to give them employment opportunities?
Jackline: Uhhhmm one, I employ young girls at the restaurant when I create employment opportunities for the youth in my community and also I buy foodstuffs from these women they sell me tomatoes, green peppers, onions, all these things I buy from them. I create ready market for these women in my community, I train young girls in catering services, we do outside catering, and I also train both the young girls and boys in my community, how to come out with their own business.., after working with me they got and set up something on their own.
Question: What challenges have you faced in your business?
Jackline: Talking of challenges… uhhmm like I said I use my tuition, it was really the hardest part for me in the business, Iyali had to work very hard to make sure I recover this money, and then there days very few customers come and then you cook much food, so you end up pouring this food and that is money you are pouring and the next day you cook little food they turn up, people come many to eat food, so it becomes a challenge for me, then also the high rate of staff turn over like people come asking for employment opportunities .. they are so many out there and its so challenging cause I can’t help all of them.
Question: So you are a role model in your community, What is your message to other women who want to start up businesses..?
Jackline: My message to other women is that we have to be focused and positive in every thing that we are going to start and have the passion in you be like I love this that am doing and I like it and am going to do it, ill never give up; cause I didn’t give up even after university I did not look for a job, I continued with my business through acquiring a Youth Loan from the bank and I paid it back through the hard work so I encourage women out there to work hard and pursue their goals.
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