Customer care is vital in maintaining your business

Vaileth, a determined entrepreneur from Mamba near Marangu Town, started her retail business in 2016. With hard work and commitment, the business grew steadily and became a success by 2024. Popularly known as “Mama Sharon,” Vaileth now envisions transforming her retail shop into a wholesale business that is recognized both within and beyond Mamba.

Vaileth at her shop

Her turning point came when she joined the Buzz Women program through the Agano Women Group. She also belongs to the Opendo group, which supports her with business capital. Through the training, Vaileth learned the importance of saving, keeping financial records, and paying herself a salary. She opened two separate bank accounts—one for personal use and one for business—and only borrows money for business emergencies. Before the training, she used to spend recklessly despite doing stocktaking, but now she makes intentional financial decisions.

The program also taught her the value of customer care, which she now practices daily, drawing from the feedback she received during a role play exercise. Vaileth’s leadership has also grown—she serves as the chairperson of the financial committee at her church’s women group and the Mamba collective of parishes. She proudly shares her knowledge with others and believes transparency is the reason people trust her.

To achieve her dream of owning a wholesale business, she has started setting clear business goals and has diversified her income by keeping pigs, cows, and chickens. She plans to sell these animals and reinvest the earnings into her business. With the support of her husband and her dedication as an early riser, she manages her business, family, and farming activities while raising four children.

Vaileth is grateful for the Buzz Women program, which she describes as special and life-changing. It has empowered her not only to grow her business but also to inspire and lead other women in her community.