Buying a commercial 3-in-1 printer for cybercafe business

Wilberforce

Nairobi, Kenya

12% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Wilberforce

Member since

March 2020

On-time repayments

136 installments  •  30%

About Me

My name is Wilberforce Okelo, and I was brought up in a very poor background, raised by my grandparents, and that made me whom I am today.

As for my biological parents, they could not live together due to constant wrangles, hence their separation when I was only five.

In 2006, when I was fourteen, my mother unfortunately passed away from meningitis. That was during the time when she had reconciled with my father after nine years of separation.

Due to my hard-working nature and perseverence in school, I managed to sit for my Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, in 2006, scoring 304/500. Through hardship, I also managed to sit for my Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, in 2010, and earned a C+.

Raising the school fees was an uphill battle for my father. He was jobless and sometimes opted to do manual labor, in which he earned very little. Therefore, he used to live from hand to mouth, due to hard economic times during those days.

This motivated me to work even harder in school, and I really challenged myself, so that one day I would open my own business and start supporting my father and some of the community at large.

My desire for education did not end after high school, though, so I got trained in computer applications (certificate level).

Then, I began working as a casual labourer in a private firm, and I started collecting the capital needed for my dream business. However, it was never enough, hence my looking for more funding.

I am blessed to have two adopted orphans. Currently, in 2020, they are ages 10 and 14.
I adopted them in 2019. They both rely on me for all of their basic needs.

My unique hobby is that I build electronics (for example, robots).

My Business

My business is a sole proprietorship. I provide cybercafé services, electronics, and related online content as per the clients' needs/demands.

I have been doing this business since 2018.

Currently, in 2020, my typical cost is about Ksh. 78,000, and I expect my profit to be about Ksh. 50,000. I will use my profit to support the two orphans I adopted, and to help fund business projects for the less-fortunate in society.

To start an Internet café, all I needed were the following items:
• Client computers
• Internet connection (ADSL, Cable, etc.)
• Networking hardware
• Server computer that controls the client computers

My father once told me that the secret to succeeding in this business lies in diversification. Gone are the days when customers seeking Internet services were the backbone of cybercafé firms. Therefore, I am intending to add a wide array of services to my cybercafé, in order to attract many more customers, walk-ins and others.

Some examples of add-on services include:
• Computer Training (particularly in rural areas)
• Graphic Design and Printing of Promotional Materials
• Image Printing (from clients' mobile phones and memory cards)
• Instant Passport Photo-taking and Printing
• I.T. Services
• Mobile-Money Agencies
- (for Airtel Money, Cooperative Bank, Equity Bank, KCB Bank, M-Pesa, etc.)
• Photocopying
• Snacks and Soft Drinks
• Typing and Proofreading
• Video Games

A well-run cybercafé, with at least four computers, and with added services (such as those listed above), can rake in up to Ksh. 750,000 per year. So, I am really yearning for funding.

Loan Proposal

I would use the loan to buy a heavy, commercial printer for my cybercafé. A brand-new one goes for a minimum of Ksh. 165,000. This machine would increase efficiency with a faster speed needed to boost my sales margin. That would be a major turning point for my cybercafé, to be a prime one to attract a lot of clients.

Income Source

Risk & Revenue Information: In this era of COVID-19 coronavirus, with its impact on businesses, I can really assure you that cybercafés are least affected. Many people are working from home and they do rely on cyber services for "Zoom" calls and conference meetings, for using "YouTube," and for doing bulk printing. This is to say, the cybercafé business is booming in this era. So, I don't see any difficulty in repaying the loan on time, as always has been my case.

✎✎✎

Show original English  

About Me

They call me Wilberforce Okelo. Am 28years old and partially orphan. I was brought up in a very poor background. And I was raised up by my grandparents and that made me whom I am today. As to my biological parents, they could not live together due to constant wrangles hence their separation while I was some five years old. Unfortunately, my mum died of meningitis in the year 2006 while I was 14years and it was the time she had reconciled with my dad after 9years of separation. My perseverance and hard-working nature in school, had me sit my KCPE in 2006 and scored 304/500 and KCSE in the year 2010 through hardship as raising the school fee was an uphill for my dad, he was jobless and sometimes opted to do manual which he earned peanuts. That's to say, my dad used to live from hand to mouth due to hard economic times during those days. This motivated me to work even harder in school, and I really challenged myself that one day I will open my own business and start supporting my parent and the community at large. Anyway, I managed to score a C+ in my KCSE, and due to financial constraints, I could not make it to college. So my desire for education, actually could not end there, I was trained in computer applications, Certificate level. From there, it's when I started working as a casual labourer in a Private firm, as I collected the capital for my dream business but it was never enough thus looking for more funding. And am blessed to have two adopted orphans, aged 10 and 14, and they all rely on me for basic needs. My unique hobby was building electronics like robots.

My Business

My business is a sole proprietorship and I deal with Cyber, electronics and online related contents as per the client's demands. I have been doing this business for the last 2years. My typical cost is Ksh. 78,000. And I expect my profits to run into something to do with Ksh. 50,000. I gonna use my profits to support the two orphans I adopted some eight-month ago and to fund the business projects for the less fortunate in society.

And to start this Internet Cafe business, all I needed was:
• Internet connection (ADSL, Cable etc.),
• Client computers,
• Server computer that controls the clients
• Networking hardware

And my dad once told me the secret to succeeding in this business lies in diversification. Gone are the days when customers seeking internet services were the backbone of cybercafe firms. I consider adding a wide host of services to my cyber in order to attract many walk-in customers. Some examples of these add-on businesses include:

Mobile money agency outlet (M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Equity, KCB and Cooperative Bank agencies don’t disappoint).
Video games outlet
Typing and proof-reading services
Instant passport photo taking and printing services
Printing images from clients mobile phones and memory cards
Photocopy services
Snacks and soft drinks
Graphic design and printing of promotional materials
IT services
Computer training services (particularly in the rural areas)

A well run cyber cafe with at least 4 computers and an added service like M-Pesa, graphic design, web design, eCommerce, photocopy services etc can rake in up to Ksh750,000 per year. So am really yearning for funding.

Loan Proposal

I will use the loan to buy a heavy commercial printer for my cyber cafe. The brand new one goes for a minimum of Ksh. 165,000. This machine will increase efficiency and fast speed needed to boost sales margin. And this will be a major turning point for my cyber cafe to be a prime one to attract a lot of clients.

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$1,780.00

Date disbursed

Sep 8, 2020

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

26 months

Lenders

A

Anninymouse

Southampton, United Kingdom

Kitty

Hailsham, United Kingdom

BelleStarr

Albuquerque, United States

ErikN

Stockholm, Sweden

G

guenter

Bremen, Germany

JimVandegriff

Trinidad, California, United States

L

lujabe

Melbourne, Australia

Sundstroms

Falun, Sweden

ads68

Melbourne, Australia

fairspirit

Utrecht, Netherlands

ShaneS

Port Pirie, Australia

C

Clben7

Cincinnati, United States

T

TrademarkMan

United States

W

wesbh89

United States

K

KiraDee

United States

Kriszti

Houston, TX, United States

MR

Michiel Rauws

San Francisco, Netherlands

B

Brent

United States

R

rzb

Germany

JM

Jo McDonnell

United Kingdom

JC

juli camrud

United States

Ren

Minneapolis/StPaul, United States

Craig Travis Provyn

Bradenton, Florida, United States

RR

Rory Rohloff

United States

E

Eric

Canada

A

Anonymous

United States

Vratik Krocik

Prague, Czech Republic

JE

Joseph Edd

United States

Mary Norton

Byron Bay, Australia

CJ

Carrie J

United States

P

Peter

United States

Paul Buchheit

Mountain View, United States

A

Adriaan

Netherlands

BS

Brooke Schreier Ganz

Mill Valley, California, United States

KT

K Turner

United States

Matt Weight

Los Angeles, United States

Pay-It-Forward

Durban, South Africa

Nick Studenski

Minneapolis, United States

Ryan Agnew

Australia

M

Malte

Switzerland

J

Juhani

Helsinki, Finland

J

Jan

Switzerland

ND

Nick DiCesare

Denver, CO, United States

Tim

Utrecht, Netherlands

Kathleen Coleman

Oregon, United States

Sayuri

United Kingdom

D

Dan

Australia

B

Byron

Australia

A

Anonymous

United Arab Emirates

DK

Daniel Kalla

Saint Paul, United States

Black and White Zebra

Vancouver, Canada

C

Chris

United Kingdom

L

Leigh

Australia

MP

Mihir P

United Kingdom

M

Monson

United States

MJ

Manasseh john

United States

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  • Wilberforce    Sep 16, 2023

    Hello my good people,

    Thanks for entrusting me with your hard earned cash...am working around the clock to sort out the loan balance once I stabilize

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jun 20, 2023

    The economy is biting really hard but I will try my best settling the debt account

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    May 23, 2023

    The inflation in our country is wanting....but I will try my level best to settle what is possible

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Mar 26, 2023

    Hello my Lenders,

    I am so grateful for your kind gesture in funding me. I won't take that for granted. I would always be indebted to you guys.

    Am looking towards settling my pending balances, immediately normalcy resumes in my business.

    Thanks

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jan 31, 2023

    The current economy situation is wanting. But allow me to settle what is within my budget, thanks

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  • Wilberforce    Jan 20, 2023

    Hello my Great People,

    Thanks for entrusting in me. Am working around the clock to sort my pending debts.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jan 12, 2023

    The situation gonna improve and things stabilize. Thanks for believing in me.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Dec 15, 2022

    Hello Great people,

    I believe you are well. Just for update, am trying to work around the clock to settle my dues. Thanks.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Nov 25, 2022

    Am still struggling but not yet out. I will soon clear this debt. It's a matter of time. Thanks for your patience

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Oct 23, 2022

    Am delighted to inform you that, I still appreciate for the support you accorded me.
    Am working around the clock to pay it forward.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Oct 11, 2022

    The economy is a bit dodging but am trying all the best possible plan to clear the debts. Thanks for understanding

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Oct 5, 2022

    My plans to resettle my pending and long standing loan for my beloved lenders is still intact.

    Thanks for trusting in me.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Sep 20, 2022

    Today am commiting to pay up something, despite the ups and downs in the game of business.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Sep 13, 2022

    Hello my Good Lenders,

    Trusting you are all well. Am working towards meeting my obligations. Kindly bear with me, and thanks all.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Aug 21, 2022

    Hello Beloved Lenders,

    Am grateful to you guys. Am still honoring my pledges of instalment payments. Thanks

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Aug 7, 2022

    The situation is still not allowing. I believe all will be well. Thanks for entrusting me.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jul 18, 2022

    The business is not yet on feet. Am trusting the process, and will settle my dues. Regards

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jul 10, 2022

    Am still working around the clock, to ensure my loans are fully paid.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jun 18, 2022

    The business is no longer functional but am trying my best to make the payment.

    Log in to reply • Share
  • Wilberforce    Jun 4, 2022

    Hello my good lenders,
    Am still stuck, but am still optimistic doors will open. God bless you all.

    Log in to reply • Share


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