Stock of used textbooks in readiness for upcoming school term

Entrepreneur

About Me

My name is Stephen Kimani, but my friends call me Steve. I was born in Kiambu County in the central highlands of Kenya twenty three years ago. I was born in a farming community where most people are involved in food farming as well as livestock keeping. My parents are such farmers and I spent my childhood years in our farm helping them in their farming activities.

I went for primary school and later joined secondary school for my basic education. I did a course in electronics maintenance later and I am a qualified technician in mobile phone repair. However, I did not pursue that career because the I found the work too demanding and with very low income.

It is then that I decided to relocate to Mombasa town to live with a relative who had a business of selling motor vehicle spare parts. I worked for him for two years as a shop attendant and then decided to start my own business of selling second hand books. This is what I am still doing to date.

My Business

I deal with selling of second hand school books. I normally get the old books from parents whose children graduate to the next classes. This is a common practice in Kenya where old books are passed on to those who are in lower classes instead of buying new books which are more expensive.

I also sell new books when I run out old books stocks but this is very rare. The business is quite profitable since my profit margin is about 40%. The main challenge of this business is that it is seasonal and it normally peaks when a new school term begins usually in the months of January, May and September.

My business gives me a net income of about $200 per month. I spend this money to buy more stock and for my upkeep.
I run my business from a roadside structure but my dream is to have a secure store where the books will be safe from thieves and the elements.

Loan Proposal

A new school terms begins next month. This is the time school text books are in high demand. My new loan has coincided with this season and this is the best time for me to ask for more credit so as to take advantage of this demand.

With this money, I will be able to buy an assortment of text books for both primary and secondary school students. I am hoping to make quick sales of the same and the income will help me in my business expansion plans where I intend to keep increasing my stock of text books so that my customers can get virtually all their needs from my store.

Thanking you in advance.

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