At only 23, Sandra Teta is a businesswoman running her own events management company. She recently organised the Rwanda International Fashion Week, an event that cemented her position on the social events calendar. She talked to Donah Mbabazi about the secret behind her success and tips for young girls, among other issues.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Sandra Teta and I am 23 years old. I was born in Kampala, Uganda and I am the first born in a family of five children. I went Kigali Parents School for my primary school education and sat my O’ levels at Fawe Girl’s School. I did my A’ level education at Lycee de Kigali and right now, I am pursuing a degree in Law at University of Kigali. I am currently single.

In brief, tell us what you do

I am a business woman. I own and run a company called Luminant Entertainment Limited, which is mainly into the event management business. I started it earlier this year in February.

Why events management?

Well, I think I have a lot of ideas to bring to the business table and I ventured into events management because I thought it as one of the business fields that has many avenues that haven’t yet been fully exploited.

How do you balance work with studies?

It’s really challenging. It’s not easy at all but I guess it all comes down to setting targets for yourself and making sure that you work hard at achieving them.

What are some of the challenges you meet on a day to day basis?

The challenges are many but the main challenge is ensuring that something I plan goes exactly as I planned because if it doesn’t, then I get to feel like I have failed. I end up having to put in more than 100 percent to see that whatever I do comes out exactly the way I want it.

You are the businesswoman behind the recent successfully concluded International Fashion Week, how did you pull it off?

I am so grateful and blessed that it actually turned out to be successful. I only managed because I had an exceptionally good team that put in a lot of work and other sacrifices to help me organize the whole event. What are some of your achievements so far?

So far, what I can confidently call my achievement is founding the Rwanda National Entrepreneurs Debate championship, being the founder of Red Avenue which is a strictly all red theme party plus DJ Mix and Entertainers, and now, the Rwanda International Fashion World.

That is a lot of success for a very young person

I feel blessed and it honestly feels good, but it’s also challenging because you have to work harder to maintain the standard. Still, the challenges are the vehicle that keeps me inspired.

Where do you see yourself in two to three years?

I plan to expand my business across borders. I plan to also start a programme to mentor young girls to be confident and believe in themselves because it is in them that this country is seeing the long term fruits of change.

Who inspires you and why?

My dad inspires me a lot. His work ethic inspires me. He is very hardworking. What is your secret to success?

First of all, I believe in myself, secondly I never settle for less, I keep on yearning to achieve more and lastly, I am a perfectionist. I ensure that things are done the way I exactly want them to be done.

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