Purchase ladies' shoes & secondhand clothing to resell

Entrepreneur

About Me

I was born in 1980 in Kayole in a family of 5 children. I joined Kayole Primary for my primary level and joined Kayole Secondary for KCSE level. The environment was not conducive [to success], considering I was raised a girl child from a humble background. I was passionate about business when I joined my mother in her local hotel [restaurant] during my holidays after school. Although my mum's hotel was simple, it managed to feed and school all of us.

When I cleared high school, I couldn't join college immediately since I had no funds. I joined my mum at the hotel full time and, within 2 years, I had raised my fee to join Muranga Teachers College. After graduating, I worked at Calvary Academy and later Primrose School at Thika. I managed to be blessed with a beautiful girl, and that's when I decided to start a business in Thika.

I started my business in Thika. This was inspired by the market available in Thika, catalysed by upcoming colleges and universities. The business has continuously grown and diversified with fashion and demand growth. The business has supported me and my daughter and she wants to become a designer when she grows up. My goal is to ensure I facilitate her with all that she needs to attain in life through the profit of my business.

My Business

The business came up as a result of demand for clothes and shoes in Thika. The town is highly populated by young people: therefore, there is demand for fairly-priced clothes and shoes. I started the business with my savings from teaching after realising that employment was not challenging enough and not creating wealth for my family. I spent $150 to buy 50 pairs of shoes, rented a house for $50, and spent $80 for shelves and internal design.

It was challenging at first, but 3 months down the line it had started [picking up]. My selling price per shoe is $5 each, which gives me a profit of $100 in two weeks. One year later, I introduced ladies' clothes, since some customers were requesting them. My major costs are stock purchases, transport, and currently the wage of one employee.

The demand has driven my desire to open up a branch next to Mount Kenya University. This will deliver goods next to the consumer, which will drive marketing for the goods.

I spend my profit to take my daughter to school, meet family needs and expand my business. The demand of these items (especially secondhand clothes and shoes) is rising every day. This will open up a way for me to have a new branch and also create a job for someone.

The targeted space costs $50, so I am targeting to start up with 50 pairs of shoes. This also requires a business permit and, since the room is spacious, I can also introduce a photocopy machine that will enable me spread fixed costs. This will also enable me venture into a different industry and therefore spread my portfolio in various investments. Introduction of cheap items shoes and clothes in the area will serve justice to students and average citizens of the town, since they will get value for their goods. My plan is to work with a solid and friendly partner like Zidisha to expand and grow my business with their help.

Loan Proposal

I am planning to use my loan to stock up on clothes and shoes. I wish to buy at least 100 pairs of ladies' shoes at $1.50 from Gikomba market at Nairobi and sell them for $4.50-$5 per pair. This will be a mark up of $2.50 per pair, and I expect to clear the stock in 2 week's time.

With the rest [of the loan] I will stock up with secondhand clothes, which currently vary depending on quality of the bale bought. With a profit of $150 per week, I will comfortably expand my business and meet my installments on time. Thank you for this platform Zidisha and also to the lenders.

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