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Boss Lane: Rhoda Ngonzi, Founder Jaguzaa Creations
Boss Lane: Rhoda Ngonzi, Founder Jaguzaa Creations
Rhoda Ngonzi is a highly experienced media professional and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Jaguzaa Creations, an interior and events decor company that was established in 2017.
Please introduce yourself.
I am simply and interestingly lovely! Yes, I am. Principled but not to the extent that it will suck out all the joy within you, structured but I allow for a significant amount of madness, enthusiastic yet laid back when it calls for it. I put in the work! I am a lover and a giver. I am a random order. And I don’t forget these unique personal attributes in my workspace. At the core of my being I create and this is how: Broadcasting; On TV, as a news anchor and together with a brilliant team I tell stories in a documentary programme called INFOCUS on UBC TV. I also co-host a breakfast show on 97fm Radiocity.
Rhoda Ngonzi
Please tell us about Jaguzaa Creations.
My love for creating went forth to birth Jaguzaa Creations in its subsections of Events – Flowers – Interior. We thus handle décor for events, flowers for your loved ones, and interior design and décor. We’ve created unique designs with Beauty by Judy brides x Trudy bridal hairstyles studio and you can expect to have quite the interior experience. It is the very first beauty studio in this country to have the kind of luxury in design that you will get in a hotel. And in creating the Casa Sean Boutique Hotel (Lubowa) look, we just wanted you to be able to marinate in a Victorian style of class.
Jaguzaa Creations
How do you like to start your day? What is your morning routine?
How I would like to start my day and what actually happens are quite divergent. Whereas I would like to wake up when the last ounce of sleep is depleted from within my eyes, make myself a cup of coffee and enjoy it in peace and calm before facing the day, – for co-hosting a breakfast show that runs from 6am to 10am, I have to be up by 5am and everything after that is a scene from the Series Flash. The irony of it though, is I always listen to a Hillsong song- “still” as I get ready. On a busy day, I write down my to do list as soon as I wake up. Depending on the day, I will either listen to a sermon on my way to work, sit in silence or listen to loud music, or news, sometimes even make a phone call or two. You just never know where you find creative inspiration.
What is your typical workday like?
My days are sporadic. With the exemption of scheduled broadcasting programmes, everything else is sporadic.
Jaguzaa Creations
What are you currently up to? Any exciting promotions or projects you are working on? What have you added to the business?
As Jaguzaa, we have a couple of scientific weddings lined up and we are just eager to create some beauty. We also have commercial and residential interior projects we are winding up with and cannot wait to show you the different styles we have gone with.
If you were a client, why would you book Jaguzaa Creations for your decor needs? What is unique about it?
There’s really nothing new under the sun. What is unique about Jaguzaa Creations is the specific and well curated personal attributes the entire team brings to the work space – to the different creations.
Jaguzaa Creations
What’s the most important lesson you have learned about the decor industry?
I continue learning this lesson on so many different levels. Get to know your client, learn their likes, preferences, and their dislikes and what could intrigue them. Sometimes it’s hard when you are not meeting or talking to them directly but rather through their messenger. Insist on direct communication, ask all the questions that will help you please them with the end product.
What are some of the current trends in the industry?
Can we start with “scientific”? But also, here in Uganda as regards weddings, we are seeing more trending hues of emerald green and mint as well as subtle colour pallets, there’s demand for simplicity and statement décor is still going strong.
Jaguzaa Creations
What is that one entrepreneurship advise you were given that didn’t stick with you? Why?
Someone close to me once told me to do décor that “the average Ugandan understands,” that that’s what sells. It didn’t stick because for every client that appreciates the style we offer behind him/her are thousands more and I am a progressive learner of this. There’s a market for everyone. Its now upon us to find those thousands. Also, style evolves, let it take its course, its sweeter that way.
How do you unwind from a long day at work?
Food, nice food after a long day is always a plug for me. A good bath and a massage from those around me.
Jaguzaa Creations
What makes Rhoda happy?
Honest and raw conversations, clean and beautiful spaces, nice scents, massages, and many more including food.
Please tell us anything cool
“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business”- Henry Ford