By Robert
Bake – MD, World of Inspiration
Last
week was so special for me!!! I met 2 millionaires (I am talking in dollar
terms – meaning each of these people is worth over 2.5 billion shillings). In
this message, I am going to share the key lessons I learnt from them, but then
reserve the gist of the matter for Wednesday where one of them will be hosted
at the Authors’ Forum (the second one will also be hosted pretty soon).
The second
thing that made the week so special is a group of 5 members of the Authors’
Forum who completed ‘ACTION PLANNING’, a high-impact course that World of
Inspiration offers. For 6 weeks I’ve witnessed their lives metamorphose, with
testimonies that could make a giant shed tears. They now have, on their
fingertips, their mission, vision, goals and objectives, and every day they have
an action plan that guides them to ensure that each action and decision they
make counts. You will witness their ‘Graduation’ as they cheerfully receive certificates
during the Authors’ Forum on Wednesday.
Back to
the millionaires: one of them is a Pakistani by the names of SADIQ AL
BOHRA who joined business at the age of 15 and now at 36 he owns a ‘HenBurg’ franchise that
has 3 restaurants in Kampala and is planning to set up more. Back at home he
wrote for a ‘Youngs’ magazine, a weekly pullout in ‘Dawns’ newspaper – the oldest
and most selling newspaper in Pakistan. He also used to write freelance commentaries
for BBC. He has 21 years of business experience, of which he says 90% has been
mistakes but he learnt from them and is eager to share those lessons with us. In
the Celeb Interview, he will answer questions such as: What makes Asians great
at business? What magic do they employ to ensure that their children discover
their value, begin being productive and start earning at an early age? E.t.c. I
can’t forget to highlight Sadiq’s humility; he stood up and bowed while greeting
me!
All
this is going to happen this Wednesday 2nd July, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, during
a powerful inspirational event that everyone knows as AUTHORS’ FORUM – THE GATHERING
OF 400 SUCCESS MINDS, at the National Theatre, Kampala. The event is open
to anyone who wants to inspire and empower themselves with new ideas. It happens
every 1st Wednesday of the month. This specific
one is on the theme ‘HOW TO VALUE & PRICE OUR SERVICES’. Entrance
for subscribed members is free while non-members pay 40,000
UGX that gives them an entry ticket plus a free
inspirational book or DVD. Booking is done in advance by visiting WORLD OF
INSPIRATION (Luwum Street, MM Plaza T33) or by calling 0700487768
/ 0774107287 / 0414691595.
The second
millionaire I met is ENG. APOLLO BUREGEYA, a subscribed Authors’ Forum member who has earned a lot from
real estate and is pursuing a PhD in Concrete Science. He has been my friend
for quite some years, but last Friday we met specifically to learn from each
other, as part of my habit of meeting at least 1 role-model once a week. My first
lesson from this humble tycoon was that where you meet matters; we met at Golf
Course for lunch, where there were only serious people – no time-wasters! I had
a chance to discuss business, not only with him, but also with his friends,
such as the MD of Twed Towers, who is one of the richest Ugandans. I discovered
that one of the reasons successful people belong to such clubs as Golf Club is
not only for leisure but mostly for networking. My meeting with Apollo wrote 5
clear lessons on my mind (or should I say heart?) in indelible ink. I was
planning to share them with you, but another thought came – let’s host him at
one of the coming episodes of the Authors’ Forum and you will hear them from
the horse’s mouth. But in case you want to network with him at a personal level,
he will be present on Wednesday’s and I will take the honour to introduce you
to him, if you approach me.
The
trust is that on Wednesday history is going to be made! And I can’t thank God
enough that I am going to be a witness! The theme is very timely. We need to master
the art of valuing and pricing every service/product we give out. Did you know
that over 5% of small businesses in Uganda collapse because the entrepreneur feels
shy to charge friends and relatives? Do you know that most of the smartly-dressed
graduates you see around cannot name the salary they want while seeking for a job?
When asked how much they expect to earn they say: “Anything!” or “Whatever you
give me!” Have you ever volunteered and along the way you regretted for not
having charged after realizing that it’s getting heavy on you? Well, Wednesday’s
Authors’ Forum is the answer.
We are
blessed to host an inspirational speaker who is a global power. When you
mention the name WANJA ODHIAMBO, bells ring across every continent because of the impact she is
causing through various platforms including the 2 tantalizing inspirational books
she has written, an impacting women organization (‘Women Arise’) that she runs,
and an African-themed restaurant (‘African Experience – Restaurant &
Take-Away’) that she owns in England. Wanja is a graduate of DayStar University.
At this event she will deliver the inspirational talk of the day. And meeenh! When
she begins to speak, you won’t want to blink.
And of
course, as promised we shall feature another member of the Authors’ Forum whose
testimony could inspire a baby to climb Mt Kilmanjaro while carrying a sack of
maize! I met DISMUS BYAMUKAMA while he was still a student and encouraged him to attend the
Authors’ Forum, which he did. It was not easy for him to save 20,000 UGX (the
price of the ticket then), but he kept sacrificing a lot and attending. He
applied the principles he learnt and started a small drugshop which has now
grown into a pharmacy. Recently, he bought a house at 150 million shillings! We
are not talking of 10 years or even 5 years; he has achieved this in record
time. Don’t miss his story in the Testimony segment.
Eeeeh,
I might go on and on and on, but I must end this and allow you time to secure
your ticket and be at the National Theatre on Wednesday evening for the
magogomus Authors’ Forum. Don’t allow anything to stand between you and your
coming.
Till
then, stay blessed and inspired!
