Meet Jackie Arinda, our Woman Crush Wednesday. In March 2019, Arinda was named as CEO of Smart 24 TV, the only 24/7 business Television in Uganda. She was aged 28 at the time. Her role is to provide leadership and direction in the strategic development of the channel, and compliance with all rules and regulations governing public broadcasting entities.
Education
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Bishop Stuart University and currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Birmingham.
The CEO position; is it exciting or challenging?
The most exciting part about this job is watching a brand grow under your watch and management. It’s also really exciting working with a team to achieve this goal. Of course being the youngest female CEO in the media industry, who is working with a start-up niche media house, the first of its kind in the country, comes with its own challenges. But, I am not complaining! It is a milestone for me and my team has helped a lot in easing the journey. With the right team it is a bundle of fruitful effort.
About Smart24 TV
Smart24 TV is the only 24/7 business Television in the country. For so long entertainment and politics have dominated content that’s consumed in Uganda, giving less attention to the business community. Business should lead politics not the other way round. We are all aware that most Ugandan businesses never live to see their 3rd birthday due to limited information and knowledge about business.
On what makes a good leader
I believe that just like corporate companies, to be a good leader you need to stick to your vision, mission and values. I have set my goals and workplan which guide me. Every job has its challenges and unless you die, they will keep coming, so you need to be good at confronting challenges. I usually avoid facing a challenge twice. I make sure I find the root cause and solve it or learn to live with it.
About using fashion to her advantage as a young female CEO
Fashion is part and parcel of my life. Being a woman with lots of work on my desk every day, it is very possible to get carried away by the hustles and challenges of the job. I use fashion to soothe myself because clothes make me feel good. Often times, young women who are business executives are compelled to ‘look like their grandmothers’, because it is believed that if you are a follower of fashion trends, no one takes you seriously. I’m a rebel of this school of thought. I love colours, prints and camel coats. I however tend to wear lots of solid colours, these don’t shout a lot when I’m out in the field.
I believe that as a young female in this male dominated work sector, you can make a statement with your style choices without spending too much time at it. Just know what works for you, so that every time you’re picking your outfits, you don’t overthink your choices.
satisfashionug@gmail.com
