Selling arrowroots, yams, cassava, etc., in Nairobi

Dorcas

Nairobi, Kenya

42% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Dorcas

Member since

May 2014

On-time repayments

251 installments  •  52%

About Me

Academically, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Sociology from the University of Nairobi, pursuing a diploma in Project Management from Kenya Institute of Management. A masters specialising in Digital Communication is in the pipeline.

I consider myself to be an ambitious, driven and focused person who is striving to attain financial security through all legal means available. I believe that there is nothing impossible when you put your focus and energy to it. I am a firm believer in the science of financial intelligence and the importance of acquiring the same to one's quest to attain financial freedom.

My story thus far has been about learning to take the road less traveled, daring to take risks in organizations that have great yet to be attained potential and striving to help them realize the same. If I can describe myself in one word, it would be 'dream chaser'.

While it hasn't always worked out as imagined, the learning curve is a worthy payoff and like Steve Jobs famously stated, "The dots of life connect backwards". I journey on picking the lessons, fine turning my processes and adding to my skill and knowledge base. I am focused on chasing my dream.

The future holds unlimited potential and a great desire and drive to be financially independent at 40, have time to raise my children, enjoy more of life's little pleasures and the freedom to give back to the community and make a difference. To effectively answer the question, what would I be doing every day if money was not a driving force, why would I wake up each morning?

My Business

Kamwe Farm Fresh

After moonlighting in the employment world for a few years, I finally took the plunge and went into business full time. Its been two years of hair pulling sometimes but great excitement as I have learnt the ropes. The journey thus far has been challenging but exciting. As with all entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge I face is raising capital to finance my business ideas. Hence where I am here.

After trying out different business with mixed results, I ventured into the fresh produce and grocery delivery business in 2018. My anchor products are Arrow roots, sweet potatoes, Cassava, Yams and Butternut. I also sell fruits in season mainly mangoes, oranges, lemons and bananas. I choose these particular products because I can easily source them from my home area and many Kenyans are adapting a healthier lifestyle eating more wholesome foods.

The biggest cost my business incurs is the cost of the produce, I also have labor costs as I have one full time employee and also rental costs for my small stall. Marketing and logistics are other costs I have to cater for.For now, I am mainly using my profits to finance my daily needs and also pay for my capacity building as a mentor and coach. I also need to buy a laptop and house hold electronics.

Lack of an operating base was my biggest challenge and managing the delivery logistics. I now have a Kibanda (small stall) in Githurai market from where I sell my produce. I have also recently partnered with a small logistics company that will be handling my deliveries as they rise.

I am.looking to grow into doing weekly shopping for my customers and delivering to their offices or homes at their convenience. Eventually I look to scale and supply institutions of higher learning, caterers and hoteIs. I am also working towards securing a steady supply chain by contracting farmers and ensuring we are buffered from low supply and price fluctuations.

I plan to use the funding to increase stock as well as pay for a drop off and pick up center in Nairobi's CBD to ensure my customers get what they need, when they need it. Eventually I hope to purchase a van with which to undertake deliveries with.

The end game is to develop expertise and grow to become a business coach and mentor for youths interested into going into the fresh produce business.

Ultimately, I want to consult in the area of business growth, communication and marketing with a bias for digital marketing and management targeting Macro, small and medium business and Non profit actors.

Loan Proposal

I will use the money to increase my stock of produce, pay for marketing costs including social Media presence. Once I increase my volumes, by getting wholesale orders, I will absorb more from the farmers increasing their earning as well as support other small grocers by getting the the produce a a lower price.

I expect my profits to grow by 50%

Income Source

My business is in an essential service hence it has not been adversely affected by Covid-19.A sense of normalcy is resuming in the country and business is starting to pick.

Feedback

None

None

None

Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$246.00

Date disbursed

Jul 2, 2020

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

12 months

Lenders

AltruisticSelfishnes

Chicago, United States

D

Divergent

Bethesda, United States

SuperMario28

Cudahy, United States

Joe Lamantia

Reston, Virginia, United States

M

mariamfula

United States

C P

Mazatlan, Mexico

Seppo Ruohonen

Vantaa, Finland

S

SD

Japan

KN

Kevin N

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

BN

Brian Neilon

United States

Chris

Fairfax County Virginia, United States

Genuine Interest

Singapore, Singapore

A

Atte

Netherlands

Sayuri

United Kingdom

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Summary

Amount repaid

$103.28

Amount remaining

$143.07

Expected completion

Jul 11, 2021

Status

Repaying late

Installment amount

$11.12

Repayment History

Expected Payments Actual Payments
Jul 12, 2020 $20.54 Jul 14, 2020 $19.71
Jul 16, 2020 $0.83
Jul 19, 2020 $20.54 Jul 16, 2020 $0.16
Jul 31, 2020 $20.38
Jul 26, 2020 $0.12 Jul 31, 2020 $0.12
Aug 2, 2020 $9.86 Sep 7, 2020 $9.86
Aug 9, 2020 $9.86 Sep 7, 2020 $9.84
Sep 9, 2020 $0.02
Aug 16, 2020 $0.97 Sep 9, 2020 $0.97
Aug 23, 2020 $0.00
Aug 30, 2020 $0.00
Sep 6, 2020 $0.00
Sep 13, 2020 $4.94 Oct 14, 2020 $4.94
Sep 20, 2020 $4.94 Oct 14, 2020 $4.94
Sep 27, 2020 $4.94 Oct 14, 2020 $4.94
Oct 4, 2020 $3.91 Oct 14, 2020 $3.91
Oct 11, 2020 $0.00
Oct 18, 2020 $0.00
Oct 25, 2020 $0.00
Nov 1, 2020 $0.00
Nov 8, 2020 $0.99 Nov 12, 2020 $0.99
Nov 15, 2020 $0.00
Nov 22, 2020 $0.00
Nov 29, 2020 $0.00
Dec 6, 2020 $0.00
Dec 13, 2020 $0.00
Dec 20, 2020 $1.00 Dec 23, 2020 $1.00
Dec 27, 2020 $1.00 Jan 6, 2021 $0.99
Jan 7, 2021 $0.01
Jan 3, 2021 $1.00 Jan 7, 2021 $0.98
Jan 18, 2021 $0.02
Jan 10, 2021 $1.00 Jan 18, 2021 $0.97
Jan 19, 2021 $0.03
Jan 17, 2021 $1.00 Jan 19, 2021 $0.96
Jan 21, 2021 $0.04
Jan 24, 2021 $0.95 Jan 21, 2021 $0.95
Jan 31, 2021 $1.97 Mar 17, 2021 $0.99
Apr 8, 2021 $0.99
Feb 7, 2021 $0.00
Feb 14, 2021 $0.00
Feb 21, 2021 $0.00
Feb 28, 2021 $0.00
Mar 7, 2021 $0.00
Mar 14, 2021 $0.00
Mar 21, 2021 $0.00
Mar 28, 2021 $0.00
Apr 4, 2021 $0.00
Apr 11, 2021 $11.12 May 16, 2021 $0.99
May 27, 2021 $0.99
Jun 9, 2021 $0.99
Jun 10, 2021 $0.99
Jul 1, 2021 $0.99
Jul 14, 2021 $0.99
Aug 13, 2021 $0.99
Aug 15, 2021 $0.99
Sep 28, 2021 $0.99
Sep 29, 2021 $0.99
Sep 30, 2021 $0.99
Oct 14, 2021 $0.28
Apr 18, 2021 $11.12 Oct 14, 2021 $0.71
Dec 6, 2021 $0.99
Dec 28, 2021 $0.99
Apr 25, 2021 $11.12
May 2, 2021 $11.12
May 9, 2021 $11.12
May 16, 2021 $20.54
May 23, 2021 $10.71
May 30, 2021 $10.71
Jun 6, 2021 $10.71
Jun 13, 2021 $10.71
Jun 20, 2021 $10.71
Jun 27, 2021 $10.71
Jul 4, 2021 $10.71
Jul 11, 2021 $5.77

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