D.I.V.A of the Month – September 2010
D.I.V.A of the Month – September 2010
Stella Otim from Entebbe, Uganda discovers that setting goals is a key ingredient to becoming financially savvy!
Stella Otim
Lelemba: So who is Stella?
Stella: I am a 32 year old woman living in Entebbe, Uganda. I work full time in the in the flower industry and I also run my own business called Sta Decors on a part-time basis. My business specialises in decoration services for parties; weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, introductions (Kwanjula ceremony) and corporate functions. We can help you plan for your functions and also hire out chairs, tents, tables linen.
Lelemba: When did you start Sta Decors?
Stella: I started Sta Décor in 2006 and bit by bit it is growing. I did not have much capital when I started and I had to work with the little I had. I am optimistic that I will reap great profits this year.
Lelemba: Stella you were one of the first people that did the online version of the Financial Bootcamp 101™ workshop which is offered by the Sandras and Lelemba Institute, in May 2009. Can you tell us about that experience and how it helped you?
Stella: I had been frustrated with my financial situation before I got hold of the workshop material. I was feeling as though my finances were somewhat out of control. After working through the course I was excited and confident that I could take better control of my money. I developed a money consciousness and began to religiously record my expenses. I wanted to know exactly how much I was spending each month.
I also immediately started saving and I set some savings goals to work towards. Firstly I wanted to save for a laptop to use for my school work and in my business, and secondly, I wanted to save for a Masters degree that I was planning to enrol for in the following year.