KAMPALA – Rotaractors from the Rotact Club of Kampala South and guests have been urged to harness their strength and always be passionate about what ever they do. The advice was delivered by Mr. Rajiv Ruparelia, Managing Director of the Ruparelia Group who was keynote speaker during their weekly fellowships on Thursday, October 3 at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
Under the theme: “Building Lasting Companies”, Mr. Rajiv prwsented together with other Guest Speakers Prof. Maggie Kigozi, the Director of Crown Beverages, and Mr. Amos Wekesa, the CEO Great Lakes Safaris who shared their experiences on how to start busineses and how they have managed to thrive and build them to where they are.
Mr. Rajiv flagged Uganda as still a very young nation but with massive opportunities for business growth, calling on Rotarians to smell opportunities.
“You can either chose to be remembered for business, charity, entrepreneurship or social work. Every body will be remembered for something different and if you want to do something start, nurture it and take your time. Teaching your self is a must because no body will teach you, live working on it and one day eventually you are going to be there,” Mr. Rajiv said.
“Always ask your self what happened? Can I do make more sales? Share your challenges with friends, family and other people and let them help you to get solutions. Do not be scared and stop relying on other people get out there and do it your self and you be very good at it,”. Mr. Rajiv said.
Mr.Amos Wekesa, the CEO Great Lakes Safaris noted;
“I have run a company for the last 18 years, the things that people want to know are the things they do not want to hear. I started business out of frustration, after being born from a poverty stricken family. I had so many encounters with life, spent a whole year without eating meat and one day I gate-crushed a wedding to have a chance to eat it,” he said.
“Most people are so much in a hurry to show off that they are well off yet they are still struggling and have not made it in life yet,” he said, adding that it gives him pleasure to create employment.
“Engage in sports and it gives you the grace to handle competition and always work on skills, network and influence then the money will automatically come through.” he asserted.
Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi , the Director Crown Beverages Ltd said.
“What makes us successful are the partnerships,” she said.
“Last year, we won the bottler of the year in Africa,” she said.
“The beginning of a company is rough and I remember staking my house because we needed money for the business. Mirinda fruity was our savior and and eventually we needed to keep cool and brought mountain dew and now we are number and have the biggest market share. Keep on learning and have the skills and information to keep you afloat,” Mrs Kigozi added.
