From scrolling to selling: a student’s smart use of social media

When approached in her room, Hope was focused on editing videos, photos, and promotional flyers for her brand, Hope Collection, which deals in jewelry and hair accessories for women and girls. She started the business in September 2025 while continuing her studies.

“I wake up early in the morning to pray. After that, I attend classes and revise my studies before starting a session,” she said. “In the afternoon or during my free time, I post photos and videos of my products on social media and sell them both online and in person.”

Hope explained that her decision to use social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp changed the direction of her business. “When I started, I targeted only students on campus. But in this digital era, people prefer buying online, so I decided to introduce my business to social media,” she said.

Through consistency, she now reaches clients beyond Huye, including Kigali and other provinces. “I make money every day through my clients, rather than depending solely on the student allowance period,” she added.

However, she acknowledged facing several challenges along the way. “The best time is when students receive bursaries. When that season passes, demand becomes low,” she explained.

She also pointed out limited working space. “I usually do live streams during holidays because I have better access to tools and space.”

Despite these challenges, Hope highlighted the personal growth she has gained. “It helps me avoid wasting time scrolling. Instead, I use social media productively,” she said.

She also spoke about criticism and resilience. “People will try to judge you and criticize what you are doing, but you have to fight for your business,” she emphasized.

Looking ahead, Hope remains optimistic. “A business is like a child,it needs to be fed every day,” she said, encouraging consistency.

She concluded by stressing priorities: “Studying should always come first. Good planning helps you succeed in both school and business.”

Delice Uwase/The kaminuza star