Rose-Mary Haufiku
It’s the 21st century, and many young people still depend on their parents for everything. Unlike them, Rebekka Imagine Alfeus tries by all means to make a living off her three small businesses.
Alfeus owns RIA’s Baked Goodies, Scented by RIA and RIA’s Cleaning Agency. The name RIA is an acronym of her initials.
The Bachelor of English graduate established RIA’s Baked Goodies in 2015 when she was just 15 years old, and bakes cakes and cupcakes on order.
RIA’s Cleaning Agency kicked
off in 2020. It cleans apartments and houses, and does laundry and ironing.
“This is one of the hustles that’s going
great for me at the moment. Other than that, I help students with their assignments (anything that has to do with English), and I own another business called Scented by RIA, through which I sell perfumes,” she told Youth Corner.
The businesses were triggered by
the situation at home, said Alfeus (21), explaining that her mother is unemployed, and asking for money from her mother is daunting. The other reason, she added, was to relieve her sister of some responsibilities such as buying her cosmetics and providing her with taxi fare.
“I wanted to be able to afford basic necessities without having to depend on anyone,” she said.
Although she loves what she is currently doing, a job in her field of study would enable her to save up for baking equipment and start-up capital for a bakery, and employ and train students with the same passion for
baking as herself.
She advised the youth who want to venture into the business world to first ask themselves what they’re passionate about.
“The things that you mostly have an interest in will definitely serve as a great source of inspiration for entrepreneurial ideas. You become more focused and motivated when your business ideas are based off something you truly love,” said Alfeus.
Most of her clients are the working-class.
Nancy Amwele, a loyal client of RIA’s cleaning agency, told Youth Corner she rates her eight out of 10, and highly recommends her.
“She has good professionalism and is meticulous with her services,” added Amwele.
Alfeus can be reached on 0813021520.