My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. — Maya Angelou

To move past mere survival and truly thrive requires a deliberate pushing of boundaries. It requires stepping out of the comfort zone and into the unknown, for it is often in that unfamiliar territory that one’s true destiny lies.

Barbara’s journey had already thrust her into the media world, and she was doing well—surviving and making a name for herself. Yet, she knew she had more to give. As we explored in Part 1, her time behind the scenes at Showtime Magazine on WBS TV had brought her up close with Uganda’s event management scene and something inside her stirred. The question was no longer if she belonged in that space, but how she was going to break into this new world.

Then, one day while scanning the newspaper, an advertisement by a renowned advertising agency, Fireworks, caught her eye. What captivated Barbara wasn’t just the agency itself; it was the ad copy. In big, bold, unmistakable words, it challenged readers:

Do you have balls?

It was a bold, unconventional way to ask if someone had the courage to beat the odds, stand out, and take on heavy challenges. If those words were written to spark anyone’s inclination, it was Barbara’s. She applied, got called in, and joined Fireworks Advertising Agency as a Client Service Executive for Events.

Fireworks Advertising is an innovative, award-winning East African marketing and communications group rooted right in Kampala. During her time there, Barbara credits her boss, Muhereza Kyamutetera (now Executive Editor of CEO Magazine), for invaluable mentorship, particularly in teaching her how to structure and pitch high-level event presentations.

Barbara has always understood a fundamental truth: true growth requires the humility to sit at the feet of those who know more.

It was a vital stepping stone into the event industry, but a major limitation remained: their role was primarily to act as the link between the corporate client and the actual event management execution company. In Barbara’s own words, she didn’t just want to talk about events from a boardroom—she wanted to get her hands dirty on the ground. She wasn’t thriving quite yet in the way her inner spark demanded.

The turning point came one afternoon as she was driving past Kololo Independence Grounds. A massive, striking red truck branded Events Warehouse caught her eye. It was the largest event production truck she had ever seen. It was love at first sight. She felt that dormant spark come roaring back to life and declared to herself: This is where I am going to work.

After researching the company, she reached out, and fate duly answered with an invitation for a meeting. There, she met Peter Kagwa and Patrick Muyonjo, the visionary brains behind Events Warehouse. Chemistry synchronized almost instantly.

Here, she finally found her true home in the event management space. She was no longer just a middleman; she was hands-on, diving straight into planning and execution. Working under the dynamic leadership of Patrick—an event technical wizard—and Peter—a client service wizard—Barbara honed her craft, rapidly becoming one of the most trusted names in the business.

However, as her career in event production hit full stride, a new personal season was starting. Barbara didn’t mind the long hours and demanding hustle of event management—she loved it. But with a child on the way, the reality of those around-the-clock schedules meant she needed a season of stability.

She made a calculated shift into the corporate world, joining Standard Chartered Bank’s Marketing Department. Her eight months at the bank provided the much-needed predictability, but it came with a cultural shock she deeply struggled to navigate. The transition from the event management world—where wearing jeans on a Monday was a norm—to a corporate banking environment where Mondays strictly demanded a formal suit was a tough adjustment.

With her child a bit older, her first love called her back. Barbara returned to Events Warehouse, and for over the next decade, she poured her time, energy, and expertise into orchestrating some of the country’s most high-profile events.

Event production is a demanding, largely male dominated space—from technical crews to heavy logistics. Yet, Barbara navigated it with a steady, unflappable grace that commanded respect, earning her place firmly at the top of her game.

It was during this golden decade of her career that the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing the global events industry to an abrupt and terrifying halt. Through the uncertainty, Barbara remained profoundly grateful to GOD that her family weathered the storm and made it out safely.

As the world slowly found its footing and crawled back to life, Barbara felt the quiet rumble of another impending leap—a leap that would channel her passion and decades of experience into something entirely her own. It was time to build a brand that reflected her own vision, bringing together everything she had learned to create Beautiful Pieces.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

---

In Part 3 of this story, publishing next week, we explore Barbara’s boldest chapter yet: building her own enterprise – Beautiful Pieces.