Ugandan influencer and highest-paid bar host, Ratibu Urban, has advised entrepreneurs to be firm and keep up with regularity after their breakthroughs.
According to Ratibu Urban, a good start is not enough to get entrepreneurs to the top. Rather, a blend of consistency and relationships will get you to become successful.
In an interview on Y 107.9 FM’s “Myd Morning Radio Show” with Rev Erskine, Mr. Urban referenced his humble beginnings as he maintained momentum with consistency to eventually becoming the highest-paid bar host in Uganda.
“I had a humble beginning and I remember the first place where I turned up the party the place was closing because of low turn up in Uganda. Though he had put up furniture and everything and the place was dope as well. I was doing fashion at the time before I started hosting. I wanted a spot to host my party for fashion and people directed me to the place. I saw that this place was so nice but how come people haven’t heard of it. I asked them to give me the venue to host the party and they gave me the venue for free. For the owner he didn’t have hopes that this place can work because it was open for a whole year and people didn’t patronize,” he said.
Urban revealed that he was able to turn up a low-patronized venue into one of the hottest party venues in his first attempt. Having wowed the venue’s owner, he was instantly penned down to his professional contract on a napkin.
“I organized the fashion party, called all my fashion guys to pull through and support me. We eventually changed the theme from just fashion show to include fun and party. People came and party to the extent that lots of people had to stay outside. The owner was shocked and penned me down to a contract on a napkin that instant for me not to run. I was shocked the money I was paid that night. At age 17 I had over 2000 then for my first night and that money back then was huge for me.”
He added “It was good at the start but consistency will sustain you through time then connection comes in. In Uganda when you get to know people and have connection, that’s been the basis of our entertainment because when people know you, they get to connect you to other people also based on your reputation and integrity.”
Having chopped off such huge status in his first attempt, he indicated that he moved fully into hosting parties and bars as the experience came as new to the fashion industry in Uganda. Hence patronage was in high demand.
“I was only known in fashion, styling and designing celebrities for a living. I also realized the amount of money I could make so I started going into hosting bars and parties. My people were also super happy because it moved from just fashion, making and buying clothes to party and having fun as while. That was something new so they jumped anytime I hosted the parties and even asked me to reserve tables for them before I planned the next one.”
By: Jude Tackie
