From Hesitation to Triumph: How Lucy Built a Thriving Business at 58
Written by: Lilian Nansubuga
When 58-year-old Lucy Mande, a mother of seven from Makobyo A village in Fort Portal, first heard about the Street Business School (SBS) entrepreneurship training, she was skeptical.
“At first I was thinking, I’m an old woman, what can this young person possibly teach me?” Lucy recalls. “I even wondered if the program was authentic. But when they explained the skills I would gain — and since I had already failed at running businesses before — I decided to sign up.” That decision changed her life.
Before joining SBS, Lucy describes her life as lacking direction. “My friends and I would start businesses without any knowledge of how to run them, and they collapsed within weeks,” she says.
Trained by Community-Based Trainer Davis, Lucy never missed a single class. She embraced every module, applying lessons to her business even before the training ended. “After each session, I would go back and implement what I learned,” Lucy explains. “Now I keep proper records and do bookkeeping, which I never used to do.”
With a gift of $560.92 from her brother, Lucy opened a boutique, investing in clothes and building her shop. She has since expanded into a wholesale business in a nearby town and also sells vegetables.
“The most valuable thing I learned is that you can start small and build something big,” she reflects. “Many people wait for large sums of money, but with just $28.05, you can begin — and grow.”
Her favorite module was customer care, which she says completely transformed how she interacts with clients. “These days, I make sure my customers leave my shop happier than they came. That way, they keep coming back.”
Her profits are reinvested into her businesses, and she takes pride in her progress. “I’m well skilled now!” she says with a smile.
Lucy beams as she talks about her upcoming graduation. “At my age, I’ve never worn a graduation cap. I’m so excited! This program has given me confidence and skills, and people in my community admire the changes in my life.”
Today, Lucy not only supports her family and pays school fees for her grandchildren, but she also advises others who seek her out for business guidance. “Many people come to my boutique to ask for advice,” she says. “I even teach them what I’ve learned.”
She fondly remembers training activities that made the sessions engaging and practical. “One time, we did a role-play exercise where some of us acted as shop owners, hotel managers, or office workers. Those activities made us free with each other, and that’s why we were able to apply what we learned.”
Looking ahead, Lucy envisions her business expanding even further. “With this training, I know I can grow my business bigger. In five years, I will be completely different,” she says with determination.
She is deeply grateful to her trainers for reaching her remote community. “I’m thankful they thought about us in underserved areas. Ever since the training came, I haven’t spent a single penny — not even on drinking water. They provided books, pens, and everything we needed. They gave us their time, patience, and the best training.”
Lucy is already witnessing positive changes around her. “People are starting businesses instead of wasting time drinking. My mind has broadened — now I see opportunity everywhere I turn.”
From doubting her potential to becoming a thriving entrepreneur and community role model, Lucy’s journey is proof that it’s never too late to start again.
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