Students who started businesses while at school do not worry about the headaches of walking Kigali streets looking for jobs on graduation, writes Anitha Kirezi. Faustin Prince Mugisha (picture left), a second year bachelor of procurement student at University of Kigali, is one of the growing numbers of student entrepreneurs. Mugisha says he started a small business, Prince Shop, that deals in agency banking, mobile money and mobile banking services. He says to start and operate the enterprise requires self-motivation. “It does not only require a lot of capital to start up a business. One can always start small with pocket money savings to implement their business idea,” he says. He says one has to plan their time accordingly to ensure both studies and the business get enough attention. “Identify the time during which you can concentrate on your business, and that during which you need to focus on your studies while sticking to the business plan,” he adds. Although business requires a lot of time, student entrepreneurs should not neglect studies. “Secure the best grades at school and still give your business a push it deserves. This may require making sacrifices elsewhere in life, like forgetting about hanging out with friends as often as you would want,” he counsels. Mugisha believes businesses that deal with services may work best for the students, adding that one can also partner with a like-minded colleague to share the workload, and also boost operating capital. One can start small using their personal savings, and expand later, he adds.
