i first met Julius Kaberuka during a conference that had brought together educationists from the continent to discuss research issues. Smartly dressed in a black suit, Kaberuka is not here to attend the meeting; he is here for work, receiving and ushering participants to their respective seats.

His team of ushers from Kigali Time Service (KTS), a start-up that provides ushering services at conferences, weddings and other functions, is also busy helping guests at the function.

The fourth year finance student at the University of Rwanda College of Business and Economics(CBE) started the company in October 2016.

Though the firm is still in its formative stages, it already boasts of landing several jobs to usher at conferences in Kigali, specifically at the University of Rwanda.

They have also provided their services at weddings at Green Hills, Camp Kigali, Kagarama, among other places.

Kaberuka says he employs 40 young people from different universities across the city to help him in his work.

Starting out

It was a restaurant job that triggered his interest to start his own company. He used to belong to a group that operated a restaurant, providing outside catering services during weekends.

"I used this chance to gain hands-on skills as I also observed how the business was being managed…the job also gave me the opportunity to interact with many people. From all this experience, I was challenged and inspired to start my own business,” says Kaberuka.

With the ushering business in mind, he started saving to raise start-up capital.

"Out of the Rwf50,000 monthly salary I was paid as a waiter, I would save a portion of it and also buy a few items that I thought were important to the business,” he narrates.

This took him a whole year. By October 2016, he had 15 branded T-shirts, scarves, business cards, and bow-ties to kick-start the enterprise.

"I registered the company with Rwanda Development Board and also with Private Sector Federation’s Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs to avoid working informally,” he says.

The company started with 15 workers, most of whom were his colleagues at College of Business and Economics.

The young entrepreneur uses social media to market the business and recruit workers.

Inspiration

Kaberuka says that hotels have tried to hire him about two times, but he could not take up the offers.

"I want to be my own boss. I want build my childhood love for ushering into a sustainable venture that can contribute meaningfully to national growth and youth empowerment,” he says.

Since I was a young boy, I have always liked to serve people. Whenever I see disorganised things, I am tempted to arrange them. Sometimes I can even forget to eat,” he says.

Impact of the business

"Our objective is to provide customers quick and quality services,” Kaberuka says. For a KTS usher, event organisers have to pay Rwf10,000 for weddings, and for conferences, the fee is Rwf20,000.

Presently, the company can provide their services for one conference and about three weddings monthly, Kaberuka says. He, however, adds that the company has the ability to handle three events at the same time.

He explains that his focus is to promote entrepreneurship among youth, encouraging them to become job-creators rather than job-seekers. Kaberuka explains that he only employs university students to help them to earn some money to cater for their needs at school.

Challenges

Kaberuka says Rwandans have not yet understood the importance of hiring ushers at functions. "Many people use family members as ushers when they have events. However, we market the business, and by delivering quality services, we are sure to get referrals,” he adds.

He says he also makes efforts to always network and interact with people at different functions, showcasing and explaining his company’s services to create more awareness about it.

Looking to the future

Kaberuka says he is eyeing the regional market, saying that he is saving up money as he prepares establish at least a branch in one East African country sometime next year. He says he also targets to employ 800 youths in five years, and open more branches in East African region. Currently, the company has its offices in Nyarugenge Market, Kigali City.