Move my business to a permanent store

Robert

Mishomoroni, Kenya

1% repaid

Follow Robert

How it Works

Entrepreneur

Name

Robert

Member since

July 2016

On-time repayments

87 installments • 69%

About Me

H I am Robert 37 years old and a father of one kid. I am a businessman in operating in Mombasa town where I relocated 7 years ago from upcountry. I sell hardware materials mostly construction materials in an open air market here in Mombasa. My clients are mostly artisans who work in numerous construction sites around town.

I was born near Mount Kenya - the second tallest mountain in Africa. It is a very cold place (by our standards) with many rivers meandering from the mountain. I was born in a farming community where rice and coffee are produced in plenty.

The main challenge of this area is over-population where the land has been sub-divided into very small parcels which are no longer viable. For this reason, I had to look for greener pastures elsewhere to give room to my younger siblings.

My child is a two years old and as such she we cannot tell what she will be in future.
I am currently doing a course in Web Development and hopefully I will change my career soon or dabble with both.

My Business

I started this business with nothing more than a dream. I started by hawking small items such as match boxes, toothpicks etc from door to door. With hard work and serious savings, I was able to buy my first stock of hardware materials in after one year. I started by selling electric cables and wall sockets. The business was slow at first because I was doing it in back streets of the city where crime was very high.

I however managed to move to a better neighborhood where I am still running the business.

My normal day entails buying the hardware materials and then retailing them from my outlet. I also buy used hardware material like pipes and electrical cables from people who demolish old houses.

I have had some lucky instances where I have been asked to provide items to learning institutions. Zidisha has come in handy to finance such projects and this has accelerated the growth my business significantly.

I like this job because it gives supports my family. I am optimistic that with credit from Zidisha, I will be able to get more business and hence increase my profitability.
Ultimately, I'd like to open a big store where people will come for far and wide to buy my stuff.

Loan Proposal

I still plan to move my business to a permanent store. This will save me a lot of time that I use to move the items from my house to the open air market.

This will also eliminate damages that the wares get due to frequent movements and exposure to the elements. I really need this transition

The store I have in mind will cost USD 400 to lease. I will spend the balance to put shelves in the store and branding.

Thanks.

Feedback

Positive

Neutral

None

Negative

None

EC
Emily Care Boss Nov 7, 2017

Reliable and friendly. Good luck in all you do!

Log in to reply • Share
- Robert Nov 17, 2017
  
  Thank you Emily!
  
  Log in to reply • Share
- Robert Dec 2, 2017
  
  Dear Emily, my loan expired before it was fully funded. Kindly consider funding me again if you are in a position to do so.
  
  Log in to reply • Share
- Robert Dec 21, 2017
  
  Hi Emily, Happy Holidays!
  
  Log in to reply • Share
BernadetteV May 24, 2017

Regular repayments and loan repaid early.

Log in to reply • Share