Studies have shown that many organizational and governmental initiatives designed to support communities often fall short of their intended impact. One major reason is the lack of ongoing accountability among Program participants While providing training and resource support is valuable, true effectiveness comes from consistent follow-ups, seasonal check-ins, and on-ground assessments after each program phase.
With this in mind, Flourish Hub, in partnership with AfriNurture Consulting, conducted a week-long Comprehensive Business Health Check for business owners in our livelihood communities of Nakawa and Nsambya. These visits involved one-on-one engagements with entrepreneurs, allowing us to assess the impact of our weekly business training sessions.
The key focus areas of these assessments included:
- Evaluating how the training has influenced the women’s businesses and livelihoods.
- Reviewing daily business operations, cash flow management, and product handling.
- Identifying challenges, opportunities, and areas for growth.
- Collaborating with business owners on potential strategies for scaling.
The insights gathered from these visits will guide us in determining which businesses will receive further support and the type of assistance best suited to their needs. The women expressed their deep appreciation for these training sessions, emphasizing how access to business knowledge—at no cost—has empowered them to scale their businesses and improve sustainability.
Tafumba Suzan, a participant from Nakawa community shared how the sessions have significantly improved her ability to handle different types of customers, enhancing her customer relations skills. By applying the techniques she learned, she has seen a noticeable increase in her clientele, primarily through customer referrals—thanks to her improved customer care and positive attitude.
Another powerful testimony came from Kyalisima Scovia, a grocery stall and charcoal business owner in Nsambya. She embraced the advice of creating a vision map to outline the specific actions and timeline needed to achieve her business goals. This exercise not only helped her set clear and realistic objectives but also transformed her mindset. Instead of viewing her vision as a distant dream, she now approaches it with an I can do it attitude—something she values above all.
This kind of feedback resonates deeply with us. At the heart of all our initiatives is the mission to shift mindsets, break barriers, and empower individuals on both a business and personal level.
Overall, we had insightful discussions with business owners, which proved valuable for both parties. The insights gathered from this exercise will be compiled into a detailed report, serving as a reference for future decision-making and providing essential information to support partners in enhancing their programming.
The training sessions will continue as scheduled until the three-month period is completed. Throughout this process, we will be sharing results from the scorecard, as each business was rated based on key performance indicators. These insights will also inform our next steps in refining the curriculum, allowing us to make necessary adjustments to deliver the most relevant and impactful support to our Program participants.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to AfriNurture Consulting for their invaluable support throughout this exercise. Their commitment and expertise have played a crucial role in making this initiative a success.
