By Eddie Mugulusi
The idea of “small business” is changing—and changing fast.
For the longest time, when you heard “small business,” your mind immediately jumped to a shop on the corner. A boutique. A salon. Maybe a chap selling phones and chargers on a glass counter. Brick, mortar, dust, and rent. That was the picture.
But look around today. That picture is outdated.
Now you’ve got twenty-somethings running “media companies” from their bedrooms. They shoot videos, post on YouTube, rack up millions of views, and—get this—earn Ad revenue. That’s money from Google, straight into their account, without ever renting a shop or hanging a banner. That’s a small business.
I’ve seen independent filmmakers produce movies and dramas for YouTube release. I’ve met people flipping apartments into Airbnbs. No signboard. No retail shelves. But still—businesses.
And here’s the kicker: most small business owners don’t even recognize these as businesses.
The Shift You’re Not Seeing
Technology has bulldozed the old blueprint. It has created a whole new playground. If you’re still stuck thinking small business = shop, you’re missing out on opportunities that don’t require you to beg landlords or fight city council for trading licenses.
Take me for example. I run a small business consulting service. I use TikTok as my primary distribution channel. Entrepreneurs find me there, follow my content, and reach out. We chat, we book sessions via Zoom or Google Meet, and they pay me with mobile money. Done. Business.
I don’t need to meet them physically. I don’t need to rent an office in town. Technology enabled this.
That’s exactly my point: the small business landscape is evolving. And the smart ones are positioning themselves to ride the wave instead of complaining about the tide.
Let’s Give It a Name
I call it The Shift Economy.
It’s an economy where small businesses don’t look like “shops” anymore. They look like services and solutions powered by platforms. They look like YouTubers, Airbnb hosts, content creators, online coaches, TikTok sellers, freelance designers, and micro-distributors.
This is not theory—it’s reality. And it’s happening in Kampala just as much as it is in New York.
How to Play in The Shift Economy
Here’s the trick:
- Spot the change. Don’t ignore new platforms because you think they’re “for young people.” The moment you say “ah that TikTok thing is not for me,” you’ve closed a door that could bring you customers tomorrow.
- Position yourself. Ask: How can I use this shift to distribute my products or services more efficiently? Airbnb exists because someone thought, “Why not rent out spare rooms?” TikTok exists because someone thought, “Why not sell through video?”
- Rethink what counts as a business. Stop boxing yourself into the old models. Small business is no longer tied to location. It’s tied to creativity.
Time to Put This Plane on the Tarmac
If you’re a small business owner today, your survival depends on how quickly you can adapt to The Shift Economy.
Ignore it and you’ll be left polishing your shop windows while your neighbor with a smartphone, a tripod, and free Wi-Fi is raking in customers from across the globe.
The question is not “Will things change?”—they already have.
The real question is: Are you changing with them?
Unlock your true potential 