By Gertrude Onyekachukwu
UTOMI UCHE was trained and established in Catering and Confectionery in the 2017/2018 cycle of the Delta State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP.) She hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area. With a degree in Entrepreneurial Studies, Uche is the CEO of SammySlice Confectionery in Asaba.
Uche is a goal-getter and has made remarkable progress within three years of establishment far beyond her start-up package. She is an seasoned entrepreneur, a trainer and is financially independent. Hear her.
“Apart from the fact that the Delta State Government trained me, establishing me with starter packs was the turning point I needed to boost my business. Before then, I was working with my mentor because I had no money to establish myself. After that, I worked from home for a while to raise money to rent this place where I pay N600, 000 naira annually.
“STEP was the motivation I needed to realize that I could become my own boss. The Orientation and Personal Effectiveness Training (OPET) and the Entrepreneurship and Business Management Training (EBMT) were eye-openers to me on how to manage a business, write a business plan, write a business proposal, access funds and more.
“I make cakes for all ceremonies, smallchops, egg rolls, pizza etc. I have trained 15 persons and currently have seven trainees. I never knew I could own a business and manage it successfully. I can never work for anyone again because I know what I make in a day not to talk of in a year.”
