Dr Noeline Kirabo is the founder of Kyusa, a purpose-driven organization that empowers marginalized youth and women through enterprise development in Uganda. She is a distinguished personal and business development coach/consultant, author, TED speaker, certified mentor, trainer, and life coach. With a doctorate in Entrepreneurship Management and over fifteen years of experience in the civil society sector, Noeline is a recognized authority in the fields of personal and professional growth.
Here is the story of her work, her vision for her business, and her long-term goals, both personally and professionally.
What does your company do?
Kyusa is a purpose-driven organization that empowers and enriches the lives of marginalized youth and women through enterprise development. Launched in 2014, the business now employs 26 people. As an Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO), we offer a comprehensive suite of business training, coaching, and incubation services to micro and small businesses in underprivileged communities, including urban slums, rural areas, and refugee camps.
Our mission is to cultivate and support entrepreneurial growth, enhancing the survival rate and accelerating the expansion of micro and small enterprises (MSE). Our business support services are designed to foster personal and professional growth, building valuable business competencies, expanding networks, and providing access to market opportunities.
At Kyusa, we are driven by a vision of creating a better future for young people by identifying and nurturing their passions and turning them into profitable, scalable, and sustainable enterprises. Our focus on leadership and business development support services equips the next generation of entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses with confidence.
What inspired you to start your company?
Growing up, I was raised by a single mother who owned a small business. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work and the importance of entrepreneurship. However, things took a turn for the worse when my mother fell ill and was unable to work. We were forced to drop out of school, and it was a challenging time for my family. As a dropout, I experienced firsthand the struggles that young people face when trying to access decent work without the necessary academic qualifications or experience. This experience motivated me to want to change the narrative for out-of-school youth. I wanted to create opportunities for them to succeed and thrive. That’s how I found my path and started Kyusa. I believe that any young person given an opportunity can achieve great things. My own experience has taught me that education and experience are important, but they are not the only paths to success. I am committed to helping other young people find their way and achieve their dreams, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Kyusa offers a unique solution to the problem of supporting young entrepreneurs in low-income communities through its three key strategic pillars of ADOPT, BUILD, and CONNECT. Through its financing programs, Kyusa provides in-crisis small or micro-businesses led by youth entrepreneurs with the operational capacity they need to increase production and access financing options that enable them to scale. The training & coaching program is tailored to the needs of each cohort, providing both in-person and virtual sessions to help build their skills and knowledge. Business consulting is targeted at growing and medium-sized enterprises and is offered in exchange for expertise business training and coaching that is tailored to their specific needs.
Kyusa’s comprehensive approach to supporting young entrepreneurs includes a combination of financing, training, coaching, and business consulting, which sets it apart from its competitors and provides a unique solution to the problem of supporting youth entrepreneurship in low-income communities. The combination of programs and services offered by Kyusa provides a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs and helps to ensure their success and sustainability.
Tell us a little about your team
Kyusa is guided by a dynamic leadership team consisting of a six-member Executive Board and a five-member Advisory Board. The Executive Board provides strategic direction and sets the overall vision for the organization, while the Advisory Board offers expert support in areas such as strategic planning, team development, communications, and fundraising. The Kyusa team is comprised of highly skilled and dedicated professionals, including four full-time staff members filling the roles of Executive Director, Programs Coordinator, Training Coordinator, and Finance Officer. Additionally, there are four part-time staff members serving as Training Lead, Communications Officer, Fundraising Officer, and Admin Assistant. The organization also employs 20 contract workers as Community Leaders who are deployed to serve in various districts across the country. Kyusa has a strong network of over 20 pro-bono trainers and mentors who bring a wealth of expertise and diverse areas of specialization to support the organization’s mission and vision. This comprehensive team works tirelessly to empower youth and women-led businesses, and to nurture the holistic development of entrepreneurial youth and women from marginalized communities.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My journey began with a strong desire to make a positive impact in the world, and I realized that starting my own enterprise would be the best way to achieve this goal. I do not come from an entrepreneurial background, but I have always been fascinated by the idea of entrepreneurship and the freedom and flexibility it offers. So, I started by researching and learning as much as I could about entrepreneurship and business management. I took a social entrepreneurship course from India before starting my organisation and this helped me put the whole puzzle together.
I faced a lot of challenges along the way, including financial constraints, aggressive competition, older companies wanting to exploit you as a new player, doing the work and not getting paid for it and marketing hurdles more so when we hardly had any traction. However, these challenges motivated me to be more creative, resourceful, and determined to succeed. I learned that persistence and adaptability are critical traits that every entrepreneur must have to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have been fortunate to have the support of mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs who have provided valuable insights and guidance. Their support has helped me to refine my business strategy, improve my operations, and make better decisions. Overall, my entrepreneurial journey has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It has given me the opportunity to pursue my passion, make a positive impact, and contribute to the growth and development of the community.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The goal is to train and support 1.5 million youth and women by 2040
- Increase our reach to cover 25 districts of Uganda by 2025
- Train and support 3000 entrepreneurs in 2023/4
- We are launching our online self-paced learning platform this month
- Replicate in two other countries by 2025
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur, what gives me the most satisfaction is the ability to create something from scratch and watch it grow into a successful venture. There’s a sense of pride and fulfillment that comes from knowing that I have played a significant role in building something meaningful and impactful.
Additionally, being an entrepreneur allows me to have a positive impact on society by creating job opportunities, solving problems, and improving people’s lives. It’s rewarding to see my efforts making a difference in the lives of others and contributing to the growth and development of the community.
Lastly, being an entrepreneur gives me the freedom and flexibility to pursue my passion and create a work-life balance that suits me. I have the autonomy to make decisions, set my own goals, and work towards achieving them on my own terms. Overall, being an entrepreneur is a gratifying experience that allows me to make a difference while pursuing my dreams.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The biggest piece of advice I can give to other women looking to start their own businesses is to believe in themselves and their ideas. It’s essential to have confidence in your abilities and be willing to take risks and push past your comfort zone.
In addition, it’s important to build a strong support network of mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs who can offer guidance, support, and encouragement along the way. Seek out resources and networks specifically designed for women entrepreneurs, such as women’s business associations or mentorship programs.
Another critical aspect of starting a business is to conduct thorough research and planning. Before launching a new venture, it’s essential to understand the market, identify your target audience, and develop a solid business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out resources that can help you overcome obstacles and challenges that may arise. Starting a business can be a daunting task, but with determination, resilience, and a willingness to learn, women entrepreneurs can achieve great things and make a positive impact in their communities.
Source: lionessesofafrica.com