Entrepreneur
Name
James
Member since
December 2014
On-time repayments
157 installments • 82%
About Me
My name is James Manji born in Nakuru County of Rift Valley of Kenya. I come from a family of farmers where my parents’ (both deceased) occupation was small scale farming. I am the third born out of 8 siblings.
I grew up in a typical rural area where there were very few amenities and my normal day was just going to school and helping my parents with their farming activities. We didn’t have luxuries such as TVs, phones, electricity or even tap water. This routine went on until when I cleared my secondary education and joined college where I did a technical course in machine mechanics.
After my college education, I got a job at big cement factory where I was employed as a machine operator. I worked there for three years and life was going on very well. I was young and full of energy but then disaster struck! I got injured when I fell from a tall machine that I was working on. I got spinal injuries that kept me in the hospital for three months.
Unfortunately, I could not continue working because the accident affected my mobility a lot. I was given some money by the employer and advised to start a business. As a greenhorn, I burned my fingers in my initial venture but I finally settled for a shoe selling business which is what I am doing till now.
I am married with two children aged 14 and 12 years.
My Business
I have done this business for the last 12 years and with time, I have created a good network of suppliers and customers. I occasionally supply shoes to schools and other institutions. I specialize in low cost shoes since most people in this neighbourhood operate on very low budgets. A pair of shoe for an adult costs about $8 and that of a child $6.
I get a flow of clients throughout the year but the business normally picks during festive season and beginning of the year when the schools reopen. I make an average profit of about $350 per month which is what supports my family.
Loan Proposal
If given this money, I will spend it to buy a stock of school shoes. In Kenya, shoes are part of school uniform and it is mandatory for all pupils to be in such shoes.
For this reason, I am expecting a huge demand for this type of shoes. With this money, I will be able to buy a dozen pair of school shoes at a total cost of $90. This will add on what I have in stock and it will address the anticipated demand. Thank you.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$100.00
Date disbursed
Jan 1, 2015
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
4 months
Other loans
Lenders
Sydney, Australia
Hilo, United States
Germany
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