{"id":42999,"date":"2019-01-21T00:03:04","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T05:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging21.finca.org\/uncategorized-en-ca\/from-the-corporate-world-to-social-enterprise"},"modified":"2024-11-04T02:07:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T07:07:05","slug":"from-the-corporate-world-to-social-enterprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finca.org\/en-ca\/from-the-corporate-world-to-social-enterprise","title":{"rendered":"From the Corporate World to Social Enterprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

With progressive work experience, increased leadership responsibility and rising pay, Andrew Muhwezi was a on fast track to success. So, what made him switch gears and pursue a career in\u00a0social enterprise<\/a>\u00a0as Head of Sales and Marketing for FINCA\u2019s\u00a0BrightLife<\/a>?<\/p>\n

In this Q&A, Andrew reflects on his career in banking and energy, talks about his motivation for joining BrightLife, and comments on what the future may hold.<\/p>\n

BrightLife is a social enterprise by FINCA in Uganda that unlocks economic productivity and wellbeing for low income people. It does so by distributing and financing basic service products, including solar home systems, cookstoves and appliances, that improve daily life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why did you leave a successful career in the corporate world to join BrightLife?<\/h2>\n

The desire was to be a part of a great team focused on creating meaningful social impact. BrightLife offered this opportunity in abundance.<\/p>\n

I was motivated by the idea of bringing clean energy to tens of thousands of off-grid families. With BrightLife, I saw it could be done in a way that is affordable and convenient. At the same time, BrightLife offered a chance to build pathways for these families toward\u00a0financial inclusion<\/a>. Given my background in the banking sector, I found this to be an inspiring and noble mission.<\/p>\n

Right when I was looking to join BrightLife, my previous employer offered me a promotion to a very senior role. They were shocked when I turned it down. But, I really wanted to help build something from the ground up, putting teams together, trying and testing business models, and contributing to creating a self-sustaining entity. It is a role that I am relishing at BrightLife.<\/p>\n

How did your upbringing and career prepare you for joining a social enterprise?<\/h2>\n

I spent most of my childhood with my mother\u2014the best mother in the whole world, if you asked me! We ran a makeshift restaurant for a living in the small town of Kabale in western Uganda. By age 5, I was running a UGX 200,000 ($55) chicken grilling and juice \u201centerprise.\u201d I made and sold the juice, collected the money and banked it in an account my mother had opened for me. She made it clear that paying school fees was my responsibility, so early on I learned the importance of saving. This remained the case throughout my schooling.<\/p>\n

Also, growing up, electricity and running water were luxuries for us. We had to walk some distance daily to fetch water. At night we made do with light from a kerosene lantern or candle. As you can imagine, there wasn\u2019t much time or lighting left each day for studying. But I still had to meet my educational goals. With hard work and determination, I was able to make it all the way to university in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n

After graduation, I was fortunate to make great professional strides. I moved through the ranks to head two multi-million-dollar businesses. These were at two top multinational corporations in the banking and energy sectors. This was priceless exposure for me to leadership, strategy, sales and marketing, and financial modeling, among others. In those roles, I was charged with starting something new in both the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets. That experience has been invaluable to my ability to execute my current role at BrightLife.<\/p>\n

Having said that, there is still a lot for me to learn here. I approach my role with humility and an open mind!<\/p>\n

What does BrightLife\u2019s connection to FINCA and microfinance mean for you?<\/h2>\n

I am very excited about the link with FINCA.<\/p>\n

First, having been a keen follower of FINCA and its work, I greatly respect what it has achieved over the years. FINCA pioneered\u00a0Village Banking<\/a>\u2122 and took it global, revolutionizing an industry in the process. In\u00a0Uganda<\/a>, FINCA is a household name that resonates strongly with BrightLife\u2019s customer base.<\/p>\n

Second, even with BrightLife\u2019s transition to installment payments, or pay-as-you-go (PAYGo), FINCA Uganda can still be a key distribution channel. Also, the microfinance link may provide additional solutions to financing clean energy products.<\/p>\n

Third, we have an opportunity to design products that transition clients from BrightLife to FINCA Uganda, and vice versa. Together, we have all the necessary ingredients for a successful and impactful story.<\/p>\n

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