Victoria Nannozi is the Founder and Managing Director of Nissi Classic Cleaners Ltd, the fastest growing cleaning company in Uganda. In less than 10 years, she has created over 100 jobs for youths.

• Who is Victoria Nannozi and what is your background?

I was born in 1978 to Wilberforce Sserwaniko and Bubuulwa Robinah Sserwaniko (RIP) in Kawaala, Kasubi, Rubaga Division in Kampala District. I went to Namagunga Boarding Primary School for my primary education, Makerere College School for  Ordinary Level and did my Advanced Level secondary education from Trinity College Nabbingo. I joined Makerere University in 1999 for a Bachelor of Social Sciences. I have also done competence-based certificates that have given me skills to do my business better.

• What was your childhood dream?

My parents wanted me to study hard and become a medical doctor. Right from my childhood, I have desired to do business and I am happy I am into it now.

• When and how did you get the motivation to start Nissi Classic Cleaners?

I started Nissi Classic Cleaners Ltd in 2014. My motivation to venture into a cleaning business came when a friend shared with me a captivating business plan about a cleaning business I immediately fell in love with it. That is how I began. I made up my mind to leave the big salary and dive 100% into business.  I feel content and aligned setting my own rules. I am sold out to what I am doing.

• Did you start business right away from university?

While at campus, I would jump from one research project to another. I would sell airtime. I wanted to venture into boda boda business. Simply, I was cut out for business, nothing else would give me passion like it.

• Financing has been the biggest challenge to most entrepreneurs. Where did          you get money?

After graduation, I worked with Feed The Children as a Credit Officer and Makerere University Joint AIDS Program as a Social Worker and later promoted to a Regional Supervisor with the end purpose of getting skills and money to start my own business.    I saved most of my salary and this is what I used to start Nissi. I started small and kept investing from the business proceeds.

• Did you fear competing in a men-dominated industry?

Yes, I am operating in a competitive market.  Despite the fact that some of my competitors are well-established with big financial muscle, I have not freaked out. Instead they have made me, as a founder lady among the male-founded companies, to prove to them that women too can compete and can give men a ride for their money. I have won big contracts where they have not and we are running neck to neck in this cleaning industry.

• What advise do you have for  women?

Women to overcome fear and do business to earn their own money. She believes that women have multiple talents that if fully used would improve on their incomes. Women are gifted with multi-talents and possess many qualities. They are mothers, cooks, house keepers, planners, custodians and gardeners. why not business? Women can make good entrepreneurs.

• What makes Nissi different?

 We have created our own space in the industry. We have invested time and money to study and understand our market. We know that customers want more than just a service –  they want quality and customized solutions and we are doing just that. We have devoted our efforts to learn, as much as possible, about the needs, tastes and preferences of our customers.

• What market segments are you serving?

We clean residences, factories, hotels, schools, corporate organizations, government and NGO sectors.  We have been able to win big contracts through competitive bidding due to our service capabilities. We take keen interest and listen to our customer related remarks and advice and act upon them quickly to strengthen Nissi brand and increase on our market share.

• What capacity does Nissi have to handle big contracts?

Nissi has invested in modern cleaning equipment such as floor and surface machines, vacuums, autoscrubbers, carpet/upholstery sweepers and pressure washers over the years. Nissi employs thirty full-time and sixty two part-time young Ugandan staff team. We prides in the team of trained, experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated staff ready to serve and exceed customer expectations.

• What positives did you take from the effects of Covid-19?

Covid-19 pandemic hit most businesses hard – we were not spared. Residences started cleaning by themselves, companies closed, hotels closed, schools closed …all our customers went into close mode. We didn’t know what would follow next. That was the darkest time of our business.

However, Nissi bounced back with a bang after lockdown. We signed big contract, some of them with internationals organizations. We never pulled down curtains even when things went bad. We kept our hopes alive and kept in touch with our customers through digital media. We kept following up on our proposals from our homes. That is how we came out of the slump.

• What has made you stand out in the business world?

I know the power of network and take up every business opportunity that comes my way. I have presented at conferences and meetings in Uganda and Kenya. I was listed by Daily Monitor  among “Women Changing The Face of Real Estate and Construction Industry” and I was Guest Speaker of Her and Beyond at Fortune Women Summit. This is good PR to my business.

• What are Nissi strategic plans moving forward?

We want Nissi to be the best cleaning company in Uganda in terms of quality and coverage. We plan to open branches in Arua in Northern and Mbarara in Western Uganda in 2025. We want to promote cleanliness under People Think Clean Campaign under which we plan to introduce sustainability products for cleanliness.

• What else do you do apart from Nissi business?                                               I am a real estate consultant where I offer brokerage and management consultancy services. I also sell Neolife products.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, I was recruited as Chief Executive Officer by Association of Real Estate Agency (AREA) Uganda,  a Non-governmental Organization that brings together practitioners in the real estate industry among them agents, brokers, developers, property managers and interior designers. I did advocacy through media and successfully negotiated with landlords to reconsider terms and conditions for their tenants.

• How do you spend your leisure time?

I love reading, YouTubing and working out: These take a lot of my money.

• Tell us about your marital life and family.                                                

I am a single mum of a 16-year-old girl

• What advise do you give young entrepreneurs?

You have got to start with the end in mind. Do the right thing and enjoy the process. It gets better.