Help me teach and sell my transcription service
Ian
Nairobi, Kenya
32% repaid
Entrepreneur
Name
Ian
Member since
November 2013
On-time repayments
119 installments • 31%
About Me
I’m an honest person who enjoys working with good, honest people, who want to work hard. I'm the sixth born in a family of eight (four brothers four sisters). I love swimming and hanging out with family and friends. My profile pic is me and my niece (Rosy) and we can spend loads of time just watching cartoons and talking. We are both Chelsea fans (smiles). I'm not yet married but currently in a serious relationship. I enjoy traveling to the countryside whenever I get a chance as I find it really calming. I never did get a chance to finish college due to financial reasons but fortunately right after high school I did manage to land a call center job. The skills I have attained have led me thus far and it's been a journey with its ups and downs.
My Business
I started my journey in the call center industry in 2008. I worked for 2 years at Kencall EPZ Kenya's largest call center where I was employed as a transcriptionist. I quit in 2010 and started sourcing work from Odesk.com and other online websites. I started building my profile in Odesk.com by doing small jobs for small pay. I started by earning $6 for 8 hours of typing and after several months I had enough jobs to get a raise and got $8 for 8 hours of typing. My big break came when I got a good client from the U.S who noticed me and decided to give me a shot, she was paying me $15 for 8 hours of typing. The client increased her volumes and I was able to hire an extra typist to help with the extra workload I was getting. After several months with the client I was able to hire two more typists and the workload increased and I was able to set up a small call center where we do transcription jobs. I then saved up enough cash to set up a website.
I now have good experience in the business to be able to command a decent fee whilst assuring quality transcripts. I’ve had to weather through a lot of hardships having to almost close shop but no matter what challenges came my way I’ve always kept the faith and stood my ground and after every trying moment I’ve only grown bigger. I want to create a big call center and a big training hub in order to pass on the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years and help other young entrepreneurs start their own transcription businesses.
I know my goals and dreams are achievable and I also know help from Zidisha lenders will be really helpful and valuable.
Loan Proposal
I'd like to thank Zidisha for the far it has taken me and all lenders who helped in funding my earlier loans. The loan I am now applying for will be to help me market my transcription training center. The center is already up and running and we already have two students who have enrolled and are currently training. I am planning to print brochures, flyers and set up mobile tents to be able to attract the youth to enroll in our center. I am also planning to recruit some temporary staff to help in flyer distribution and putting up posters. Part of the loan will also be used to supply internet to our center. The cost of design and printing for brochures, cards, flyers and posters will be approximately $150. The temporary staff will be paid on a daily basis to help distribute the posters and flyers. Also temporary staff will be set up in tent like booths outside areas visited by our target audience mainly the youth. Total budget for that task is $300. The county council will be paid approximately $20 to $25 for permits to distribute flyers. The cost of equipment for internet supply is $80 plus $50 for the monthly subscription. The training center has already started gaining traction. We have meetings lined up with The National Council for Disabled people to see whether we can partner with them to train handicapped people who have restricted mobility be able to work and make a living working from home. I believe with the right marketing strategy and market education we will be successful and create a good brand that empowers young people.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$614.00
Date disbursed
Dec 22, 2014
Repayment status
Late
Projected term
21 months
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Jake Gibson and Beverly Picardo
San Francisco, United States
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