Purchase of desktop computers

Barrett

Nairobi, Kenya

91% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Barrett

Member since

September 2013

On-time repayments

265 installments  •  75%

About Me

I am Kenyan living at Babadogo in Ruaraka area of Nairobi City. I am self-employed. I have a family of four, a lovely wife and three kids – two daughters and a son – all attending primary school. I am the sole breadwinner of the family and my web content wiring business is the main source of income.

My Business

For the last 18 months, I have been working as a freelance English web content writer for clients from Asia-Pacific and North Africa regions (non-English speakers). Currently I have employed four writers who work with me from my home, which is an inconvenience to my family and visitors. I plan to rent an office space and expand the business to include cyber cafe.

Loan Proposal

Thanks to all lenders. This is my third loan, which I want to use to expand my writing business since I am not using my internet fully. I plan to expand my business to include cyber cafe. I will use the loan to purchase five HP desktop computers to increase the number of computers I have to eight. I will also purchase a cyber café software to monitor and charge users. Cyber café will provide additional income since I am already paying for internet and it will increase my profits. I will also pay upfront three months’ rent for the room I have identified for business instead of working from my home, as I currently do. I will always be thankful to all my lenders – previous and current.

Feedback

3

None

None



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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$452.00

Date disbursed

Sep 8, 2014

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

83 months

Lenders

T

timdever

Batesville, United States

ads68

Melbourne, Australia

fairspirit

Utrecht, Netherlands

calvero

Bergen, Norway

jan73

Eugene, United States

Sarasota

Sarasota, Fl, United States

A

Anonymous

United Kingdom

xtrahardware

Cazenovia, United States

G

GanSatya

United States

Matching Fund

Sterling, United States

Justin

Connecticut, United States

M

mguenter

Switzerland

Vesa

Helsinki, Finland

S

stryker75

United States

M

MigwiK

Brecht, Belgium

LouisB

ZIDISHA, Mozambique

EightRiversCapital

Stamford, Ct, United States

S

Scaevola

Netherlands

Robert Long III

Bridgman, MI, United States

Ask Barrett a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • Barrett    Jul 12, 2019

    Hard economic times for my business leading to significant losses for the past six months.

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  • Barrett    Sep 22, 2014

    To all lenders. I received the last loan two weeks ago for the reason to purchase desktop computers to expand my business to offer cyber cafe services. I have just received four computers that I had ordered and currently I am working on fixing furniture (tables and seats) for the new computers that has increased my initial projection of the cost of expansion. I have used almost all my savings and it will take at least four weeks to begin recouping or realizing profits from the investment. In the same regard, for a period of four weeks (four payments) I have rescheduled payment to the least amount but will reschedule back after the stated period to my initial repayment schedule. Thanks to all lenders for you understanding.

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  • Scaevola    Sep 9, 2014

    Good luck buying the new computers Barrett!

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  • Barrett    Jul 1, 2014

    To all my lenders, God Bless You. For the past five weeks I had difficulties accessing payments from my customers despite the fact that they had already paid all their dues. Their payments was way above the 90-day transactional limit my online bank allowed and additional personal details were requested for verification to increase my transactional limit. Since then, I have been able to provide all the necessary details and now my transactional limits have been increased and my funds processed to my local bank account. I am now able to resume my initial payment schedule as well as cover the three weeks I was paying the minimal amount. I am happy that unlike banking institutions, Zidisha offers a reschedule opportunity to cater for such cases as the one I experienced without additional penalties. God bless all my lenders and the wider Zidisha Community... I am forever grateful.

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  • Barrett    May 31, 2014

    I always process the proceeds of my business monthly to reduce transactional and foreign exchange costs. However, this time, processing my income from my online bank to my local bank will delay by two weeks. This is because the amount I was processing exceeds the legally allowed limit. I was requested to upgrade the account to Silver Account to be able to withdraw frequently or larger sums of money, which I am currently working on. I will revert to my regular payment in two weeks. It is regrettable but unavoidable, and to my lenders, sorry for any caused inconveniences. Thanks to lenders and to the larger Zidisha Community.

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  • Barrett    Apr 3, 2014

    To elcico, your suggestions about www.libreoffice.org was not only appropriate to my business but the best suggestion I have had this year. To Paul Buchheit, other lenders notwithstanding, much thanks for your individual contributions. In ten years time when my name will be included in Africa's entrepreneurs of the year, you will all have invitation cards and all expense paid trips because all was possible with your input. I never forget where I came from nor all those whose efforts made me what I will be.

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  • Barrett    Apr 3, 2014

    For my lenders and the wider Zidisha Community, what you have done to my business, I have only one word, "Godsend". Since my first, and now the second loan, my business earnings have quadrupled (400% increase), you are angels. Even my initial estimations of becoming a company has been halved from 10 to 5 years. God bless you all and let Him do so abundantly.

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  • Barrett    Mar 16, 2014

    Much thanks to my lenders and the larger Zidisha community for transforming my business. The second loan was very useful in acquisition of software to eliminate the need for a bigger office since my writers can now work from their homes with the new software enabling real time communication irrespective of physical location and time. Again, much thanks.

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  • mygueye    Mar 2, 2014

    I'm really impressed by both your journey and your business roadmap so far. Best of luck!!!!

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  • Scolastica    Feb 24, 2014

    hi,
    am scolastica mutie from Kenya & interested in borrowing money from zidisha, I tried last year but invain I have every thing ready with me & am kindly requesting for your assistance.

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  • Barrett    Feb 22, 2014

    Much thanks to the Zidisha community for the first loan that enabled the expansion of my business through acquisition of assets (computers and a post-paid internet connection). The second loan would be equally valuable to improve the quality of business and of work through automation of business - acquiring software for communication between writers and between writers and customers. I am forever grateful for the effort Zidisha community has put to improve SME businesses.

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    • elcico    Feb 23, 2014

      Hello Barrett Okapesi!
      If you're looking for an office suite, consider www.libreoffice.org, that's completely free and opensource.
      Namastè! :)

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    • mygueye    Mar 2, 2014

      I'm really impressed by both your journey and your business roadmap so far. Best of luck!!!!

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  • Barrett    Feb 17, 2014

    There has been a 48 hour delay (since Friday 14 2014) in transferring payments from my online bank to my local bank, which could delay my payment due today (17 Feb 2014). However, my bank has indicated they will resolve the issue within the next 24 hours and I should check my account on or after 24 hours.

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  • Barrett    Nov 15, 2013

    In my business, trust is the most important, if not an indispensable asset. I thank the Zidisha team that has leveraged on trust as a collateral to fund businesses that otherwise would not have the opportunity or the source to raise the initial funds to grow their businesses and their passions. Thanks to Zidisha Team, and may God bless you abundantly.

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  • Barrett    Nov 15, 2013

    The initial loan, although small, was godsend. It has enabled me to meet the demands of my high season, which still continues to mid-February. I should forever thank my donors and look forward to a second loan that will grow my business beyond my current financial limitations and possibly make me join the ranks of my esteemed donors... that is, as a donor.

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  • Barrett    Oct 16, 2013

    I have received 52 orders for web content writing for the month of October, which is over and above 30 orders I had planned for. The excess orders have compelled me to hire three more part-time writers at higher costs for the month of October. This has affected my ability to honor the first installment scheduled for 17 October 2013. Therefore, I request for extension of the grace period to 17 November 2013.

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  • jjonas    Sep 12, 2013

    Good luck Barrett!

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    • Barrett    Sep 17, 2013

      Thanks to all lenders. My initial loan went a long way to assist in the acquisition of a HP Workstation computer that will serve as my server for the computer network that I am in the process of assembling the essential parts. With the Workstation, I now have two computers and three laptops that I will use to hire two writers part time before I employe them on a permanent basis in three months time. My progress towards my ambition to upgrade my business into a global company in the next three years is possible through the support of you lenders. I greatly appreciate your support.

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    • Barrett    Sep 17, 2013

      Thanks to all lenders. My initial loan went a long way to assist in the acquisition of a HP Workstation computer that will serve as my server for the computer network that I am in the process of assembling the essential parts. With the Workstation, I now have two computers and three laptops that I will use to hire two writers part time before I employe them on a permanent basis in three months time. My progress towards my ambition to upgrade my business into a global company in the next three years is possible through the support of you lenders. I greatly appreciate your support.

      Log in to reply • Share
    • Barrett    Sep 17, 2013

      Thanks to all lenders. My initial loan went a long way to assist in the acquisition of a HP Workstation computer that will serve as my server for the computer network that I am in the process of assembling the essential parts. With the Workstation, I now have two computers and three laptops that I will use to hire two writers part time before I employe them on a permanent basis in three months time. My progress towards my ambition to upgrade my business into a global company in the next three years is possible through the support of you lenders. I greatly appreciate your support.

      Log in to reply • Share
    • Barrett    Sep 17, 2013

      Thanks to all lenders. My initial loan went a long way to assist in the acquisition of a HP Workstation computer that will serve as my server for the computer network that I am in the process of assembling the essential parts. With the Workstation, I now have two computers and three laptops that I will use to hire two writers part time before I employe them on a permanent basis in three months time. My progress towards my ambition to upgrade my business into a global company in the next three years is possible through the support of you lenders. I greatly appreciate your support.

      Log in to reply • Share


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