Grow own produce for my vegetables business
Irene
Nairobi, Kenya
100% repaid
Entrepreneur
Name
Irene
Member since
June 2014
On-time repayments
136 installments • 83%
About Me
My life has been through ups and downs but I thank God because He has seen me through to this far. I cant complain because am in perfect health and this I consider to be my greatest asset because it will make me reach my goals in life. I was born in a family of three girls and one boy and I happen to be the only girl who has been educated upto University level. All this I owe to my loving parents who have been very supportive despite their economic challenges. I come from a region that is considered to be dry in Kenya. We receive very minimal rainfall and most of people in our community do not rely on agriculture. Instead they engage in business activities to earn a living. Most of the young people, who complete ordinary education, end up in the capital Nairobi where they end up in businesses or unskilled labor in the industrial area. I consider myself to be passionate about business because I started business while in high school. I remember one time I got into trouble because of selling sweets to my school mates. This is a business that I did most of the time and I made good profits that kept me going through my schooling time. When I joined campus, I still got involved in printing business on campus. It is from this background that I was able to start a supplies business that is really making me achieve some of my short term goals. Im able to pay my rent and other bills from the stationary and other materials that I supply to small companies in Nairobi. I live alone in a one bed room apartment and I also pay school fees for my younger sister who is in high school.
My Business
I supply fresh produce to high end homes in Nairobi. Initially I was doing office supplies that helped me to create good customers who now need fruits and vegetables. I used to buy fruits and vegetables from brokers in the market but I later discovered that I could still grow my own vegetables and supply to my customers. My customers really like e because im honest and reliable. Whenever they make their orders, I deliver them in time. I also give them discounts when they make bulk orders. Some of my customers have been so good that they keep referring me to their friends. This has been a very good trend amongst my female customers who have kept me going all this far. I started growing my own crops early this year when my sister allowed me to use a small piece of land that was lying idle in his plot that is awaiting construction. From this plot I have been able to learn how to do profitable agribusiness within town and target the upper class. From my first harvest I was able to make $240 in profits.This was just from a small piece of land that was not being used by the owner. I believe that if I get more land and inputs like fertilizers I will be able to increase my outputs because water is not a problem where I do the cultivation of vegetables. Besides this vegetables business, I am also a part time tutor and Im able to pay some of my bills such as rent and electricity from this work. Lending me $290 will facilitate improvement of my agri business and also lead to creation of more opportunities for others. Our country is moving towards food security and as business people we need to embrace and support upcoming farmers who will in future make a difference.
Loan Proposal
With the new loan i will be able to purchase fertilizer and seeds to produce my own vegetables and supply them to my clients. The profit margin will be high and i will be able to repay the loan and increase my capital to expand the business.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$277.00
Date disbursed
Apr 30, 2015
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
22 months
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