From $16 to Financial Freedom: How a Single Mom of Five Built Two Thriving Businesses
With just $16.19 in savings and a determination to change her life, Mary Namuyiga transformed from a struggling bar owner into a successful multi-business entrepreneur. At 34, this single mother of five from Mukono, Uganda, discovered that modest beginnings—paired with the right knowledge—can spark remarkable change through Street Business School’s Community-Based Training (CBT) program.
“I used to work, but I couldn’t see where all my money was going,” Mary recalled of her early days as a bar owner. The business was merely surviving, and she felt stuck in a cycle of uncertainty— until Street Business School coaches arrived at her door.
The training challenged Mary’s entire perspective on business ownership. “I never used to take my business seriously. I was doing it to pass the time,” she admitted. But the module on money management proved to be a game-changer. “This module opened my eyes because, back then, I would have money and just waste it on things I didn’t need. I didn’t know I could save for my business. I just learned this from the program.”
Heeding the coaches’ advice to “start NOW and not waste any time,” Mary leveraged her modest savings from the bar and launched a second business selling charcoal. Today, this venture earns her a steady daily profit of $5.40, complementing her now-thriving bar business.
The impact on her family has been profound. “My business is moving much better than before. Now, I’m able to comfortably take care of my children and pay their school fees since I’m a single mother.” Mary has also embraced systematic saving, setting aside $0.27 daily—a habit she previously thought impossible.
The ripple effect of the program extends beyond Mary’s success. “Most women who graduated from the training were determined to start working. All my friends started businesses,” she shared, highlighting the broader community impact.
Looking ahead, Mary’s entrepreneurial journey is far from over. With her growing businesses and consistent savings, she’s working toward her next big dream: building her own house. Her story stands as a powerful testament to how the right training, combined with determination, can transform not just a business, but an entire family’s future.
Make the impossible, possible! Support more entrepreneurs, like Mary, by providing life-changing business skills. Donate at Give.StreetBusinessSchool.org.
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