Sewing machine for my curtain business

Entrepreneur

About Me

My Name is Joy Tanti Shanju. Am 24years old, born in Kijabe, but raised in Naivasha (about 76km from Nairobi). I am the second in a family of three, a brother and a sister. I am currently single but planning to get married later this year. Naivasha is a beautiful town, characterized by a fresh water lake, with tilapias and common carps. The lake harbors hippos and the surrounding land very scenic parks for bird watching, water bucks, giraffes, flamingoes and stocks. In my culture, Kikuyu, we have njahi (black beans), mukimo (smashed potatoes with peas and maize) and barbecuing marks great celebrations, for instance weddings, dowry or when a baby is born. My hobby is reading, travelling and writing. I also mentor young girls in high school who are still shaping their lives and ideas about life.
I am currently living in Nairobi, after completing my bachelors in entrepreneurship at Moi University, main campus. My parents, being teachers, have worked hard to make sure we have had education and have not lacked most of the basic needs. However, in 2014, my sister was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was forced to be in a private university that demanded very high finances. As these demands were been met by my parents, I decided I can take up a loan elsewhere and not burden them with my capital demands. My sister needed the full attention to recover quickly. The medication eas also very expensive.
As I was growing up, the society has shaped this idea of getting a good job once you complete school, that the idea of entrepreneurship and running your own business was far-fetched. However, my idea of owning my own business did not fade deep down in my mind.
While in university, I ran a couple of business, such as selling milk, since the area has good supply, pedicure and manicure business and cooking chapattis/pancakes. These businesses were successful because there was demand. I was determined to continue with this path of entrepreneurship even as a career. Since I was studying the same, I had the chance to do a research on the business ideas I would venture in for the long term and at the same time one I was passionate about. Interior design then came to mind! From my research in Kenya, it was an industry that has been ventured into and the demand in the market is continuous. After university, I did a certificate course in Interior design to familiarize myself with the business and what I needed. I decided I will focus in curtain design and home accessories as the concept is broad. Since 2016, I have been running an online business and worked with curtain fabric suppliers to customize the needs of the clients. This method is in some way limited to the number of people I reach out and again, in Kenya, buying online has not yet taken root. Some associate it with fraudsters. Most of them will ask me where am based physically and it therefore becomes a challenge to close such deals. This is why I need to have a shop I can display my curtain designs and a sewing machine I can create my own designs. This way I can expand to making cushions and throw pillows.

My Business

My business started as a passion for design. I design curtains, supply window hardware such as curtain rods and curtain holders. I also provide home accessories such as flower vases, mats and rugs, portraits and centerpieces. I know these products are in demand in Kenya because of the rise in new housing plans and desire to live in the modern contemporary era. Again, these are the items that form the main parts of an interior and every house will need them; not only private houses but restaurants, offices and guest houses. I chose this line of business because I am passionate about designing of interiors and the motivation to live in better environment. My costs in a month include rent of Ksh 7000, house bills (water and electricity) of Ksh 3000 and personal expenses at Ksh 3000. I have since paid for these expenses through the online business. I believe it will be better as the business grows.
I would like to expand my business by stocking it with curtain samples and have a sewing machine.

Loan Proposal

Since am getting ksh 420, I will use this for Expenses for electicity bill. This will help to plan for other expenses, knowing that electricity bill is already catered for.

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