Her roving eyes are the first thing that strike you when you meet the charm bracelet princess as she’s known in the Mary Stuart Circles where she puts up! They are large and lazy and pensive and breathtaking… just like the jewelry she makes. Ainembabazi Madonna is a young jeweler, an old student of Trinity College Nabbingo and a 3rd year law student at Makerere university. She’s a writer and a holder of a continental award from Uongozi for an essay for leadership she wrote.
She’s religious and it’s from church that her art was nurtured. The start-up capital required, after the research I’d done with Brenda(Oyella), was minimal and within the range of the paltry sum each of us had saved in the last term of our A’ level. It was however nothing I had in mind or thought myself capable of doing. It was exciting venturing out in the world of business. The genesis: She picked interest in the arts in her 8 month long form six vacation, teaching herself on the basis of learning from her mistakes. “I bought my first working materials, a tiny pair of pliers, beads and various prices of metal I’d been told I needed.
The fees required to teach us were high. So I embarked on a trial and error spree that led to my first batch of sketchy earrings. All were bought!” she says. Market materials, and motivation. Madonna’s market consists of two large lots; students and working class. She employs a sort of price discrimination. Surprisingly male hopeless romantics are her key clients; raiding her workstation( her University room) with specific instructions aiming on the jewelry for their lovers.
Her materials are bought outta art shops downtown around Majestic Plaza. Her jewelry is inspired by works she sees on TV, Pinterest, and random ideas that flood her head past midnight. “The need for a certain level of self reliance is what motivates me. Again, the joy that comes from successfully bringing to existence that which was hitherto abstract; an imagination, a dream is an entirely rejuvenating feeling.” she asserts. Books, challenges and dreams! It’s not a daily engagement, so I manage to strike the delicate balance between books and beads.
On the travails and tribulations of the economy she had this to say about her business. ” The proceeds in the start were more certain with the average of about 100,000 UGX or more per month. Now the sales are sporadic. One time there’s no order, the next you have a whirlwind order changing your financial life for the next one month.” Madonna says she’s challenged by people who order hastily and take ages to pay. She in bid to curtail this major issue, she asks for a deposit. Lessons? “The need for a certain level of self reliance. Independence. Plus the joy that comes from successfully bringing to existence that which was abstract, imagination or a dream . It’s a good feeling.”
“It’s tasking to work alone on this one. I hope to teach some people. You just never know when this skill comes in handy. That I faced challenges trying to get a tutor, makes me want to make it easier for anyone passionate about learning it.” She adds. Last word? Talent is discovered so, Explore the unknown you just never know what it holds in store for you. Ainembabazi Madonna on Facebook !
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