Akurut Teddy: From Shy Homemaker to Confident Entrepreneur
In the quiet corners of her home, a talented craftswoman’s potential lay dormant, wrapped in unused yarn and untapped dreams. Akurut Teddy, a 31-year-old mother of three, had always possessed a gift for creating beautiful, knitted sweaters, but her creations rarely ventured beyond her family’s closet. Her story exemplifies how the right guidance can transform hidden talents into thriving enterprises, weaving together threads of confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.
“I was too scared to look for customers; I did not have the confidence to face people and sell my product. I would just make sweaters for my children,” Teddy admitted, reflecting on her earlier days. Little did she know that a simple errand – delivering a sweater to a friend – would stitch together an entirely new pattern for her future.
Through this chance encounter, Teddy learned about the Street Business School training program. Curiosity led her to attend a session where she discovered a world of possibilities she had never imagined. “I was touched by the first lesson I attended; I felt like the coaches were talking directly to me,” Teddy remembered. The program’s message about stepping out of one’s comfort zone struck a profound chord. “I was a comfortable housewife with no idea that I could be my own boss,” she confessed.
Inspired by the coaches’ emphasis on confidence and innovation, Teddy began exploring creative possibilities. She started incorporating bomber jackets into her designs, experimenting with vibrant African prints. A turning point came when she brought one of her son’s jackets to class. “One of the women admired it and bought it. This gave me confidence,” Teddy recalled. That single sale, worth $13.18, became the seed that would grow into a flourishing business.
Today, Teddy’s transformation is evident in every aspect of her business. With her manually operated machine – a dream turned reality – she produces five jackets daily, each piece a testament to her growing confidence. “I even have business cards now,” she shares with pride. Her daily profits of $39.53 not only support her family but also fuel her aspirations.
As a member of a local savings group, Teddy strategically reinvests in her business, working toward her vision of opening a crafts shop specializing in African items. But perhaps most inspiring is how she’s become a beacon of empowerment for others, teaching fellow women the art of jacket-making and the confidence to pursue their dreams.
“My life has changed now; I’m a different woman,” Teddy reflects, contrasting her current success with days when shyness would force her to return home with unsold items. “Back then, I would have my items and not show them to customers. I would just take them back home because I was too shy and didn’t believe in myself.”
Her journey from a shy homemaker to a confident entrepreneur and mentor illustrates the transformative power of believing in oneself and embracing new opportunities. Through each stitch and sale, Teddy continues to weave a tapestry of success, inspiring others to thread their own paths to entrepreneurial triumph.
Written by Lilian Nansubuga
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