Adding books to my stationery shop

Mercy

Siaya, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Mercy

Member since

March 2017

On-time repayments

76 installments  •  100%

About Me

I am the first born in a family of five. I have worked before for 7 years as a teacher of ICT and Computer Studies. I realized that what I was doing did not give me room for self employment and i have always had a passion for graphic design. I enrolled for a design course and went ahead to get 1 year industrial experience as a Junior Graphic Designer in a design firm.

While growing up I worked in the family business (bookshop) during school holidays. Therefore getting into business almost came naturally for me. In 2014 I opened a stationery shop and did graphic design on the side. I used gratuity that I got from my job as a teacher. It was $1500 that I used as my capital.

I am a gifted cook in most meals, but I choose to call myself a chapati specialist. I also have a liking for fashion and much of what I wear is thrifted but upcycled and repurposed to fit varied styles I would want to have. In my judgement one outfit should give me at least 5 ways of styling it.

My Business

I run a stationery shop (school, office and personalized. I moved to a bigger office space and I have diversified and included bottled juices, water and milk in a partition of the business. I also run an MPESA within the stationery business. I have of late added Equity and Co-operative Bank Agency banking.

The goods I sell are always in season but the peak is usually when schools are in season which is 9 months in a year.

I chose selling stationery because the goods do not face the challenge of revision as textbooks which make one end with dead stock. Juices, milk and water was to meet the demand of customers who wanted alternative to sodas which are the popular soft drinks. The MPESA provided an 'easy' investment with capability to fit in the same premise without constrain in space.

The costs I incur in running the business is rent, salary, watchman fees and electricity bills. This comes to Kshs. 19700 per month. Though there are also annual fees of licence and accountant fees.

The profits I get I reinvest in the business and a little I set aside for personal development like currently I am working on building my own house.

If I get a loan it will enable me to have enough stock to meet my customer demands especially during the peak period when the supply from suppliers is usually stretched. With enough stock I can also gain from bulk purchasing and start offering sales at a wholesale too.

Loan Proposal

I will use the loan that I am requesting now to stock up on spring files - 2 cartons $50, bic pens - 2 cartons $240, hymn books - 1 carton $126, prayer books - 1 carton $50, Bibles - 1 carton $210. The books are a new introduction to the business and this loan will go a long way in enabling me to introduce them to my business. This means that I will have another stream of income from the books and my customers will also get something extra to minimize their walking around during school shopping.
I expect to make a profit of $300.

Feedback

6

None

None

  • guenter    Dec 14, 2019

    Mercy payed back in advance! Very great borrower. Mercy kept uns informed, posted some updates, very appreciated!

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  • Angi    Apr 15, 2018

    People like you are the reason why I support zidisha. Regular payments, great communication. I am very happy that your business is doing well and wish you all the best for your future!

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  • David    Apr 15, 2018

    Made regular payments, finishing the six-month loan in less than four months. The regular updates and photos are also much appreciated. We wish you continued success.

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$658.00

Date disbursed

Jan 5, 2018

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

6 months

Lenders

joerg

Berlin, Germany

J

johnkinell

Stockholm, Sweden

P

popeye

Cibolo, United States

MM

Mollie Milesi

Jeruslem, Israel

M

miriamg

Toronto, Canada

Treesforpeople

Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

mhooper1962

London, United Kingdom

Laparo

Dusseldorf, Germany

Alberto Cereser

Copenhagen, Denmark

Anna Hoad

Toronto, Canada

V

Vivek

Arlington, VA, United States

Emma

Australia

J�

Jan Čapek

Czech Republic

M

Marzl

Germany

MC

United States

Tom Eggert

Madison, United States

Ramon Maghsoudi

San Francisco, United States

Ed

Howells, United States

Angi

Germany

Vratik Krocik

Prague, Czech Republic

Emily

San Francisco, United States

David

Canada

K

Katherine

United States

KJ

Karin Joy

Philadelphia, PA, USA, United States

Carrie

Arlington, MA, United States

Theo

Zürich, Switzerland

petter

Finland

Rob Williams

Halifax, Canada

L

Lisa

United States

Ask Mercy 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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  • Mercy    Dec 14, 2019

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have fully repaid my loan and ahead of schedule. Thank you for the support. I have however decided to not take any future loans because of the high non refundable credit risk fees being charged on the loans. Like the last loan retained about $286.72 in credit risk fund. This is a lot of money to just let go like that yet one has been paying their loans faithfully and even ahead of schedule.
    Thank you once again for the great help Zidisha has brought my way.

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    • guenter    Dec 14, 2019

      puh, 286 is a lot of money!
      Perhaps Zidisha needs a rating system, better conditions for better borrowers.

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  • Mercy    Oct 2, 2019

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have been able to keep up with my repayments. I hope to pay off my loan ahead of schedule because of the extra increase in sales from the examinations material purchases that are to be made this month and the next month.
    Thank you for the continued support.

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  • Mercy    May 11, 2019

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have started repaying my loan. The money you lent me has gone a long way in helping me serve my clients well without any disappointments.

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  • Mercy    Apr 20, 2019

    Hello Lenders,
    I am very thankful to you for funding my loan. I promise to make my repayments on time as has always been the case.

    I will use the loan to increase my seed capital for both Equity and Co-operative Bank agency banking. The agency banking services will give me an extra $120 per month in profits (commission). I intend to reinvest the monthly commissions into the agency banking until I reach $1000.

    Thanks once more for funding my dream.

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  • Mercy    Apr 14, 2018

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have finished paying my loan and 3 months ahead of schedule. The business environment has been challenging but I am happy that irrespective of that I have been able to be consistent with my payments. Thank you for the continued support.

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  • Mercy    Mar 9, 2018

    Hello Lenders,
    I can report that if all goes well I shall finish repaying my loan ahead of schedule. The profits that I am making are being used to increase my stock. For instance the files that I bought 2 cartons I now have 3 cartons.

    The rainy season is also already here and we will start planting next week.

    Thank you so much for your continued support.

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  • Mercy    Jan 19, 2018

    Dear Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I am already on course with my loan repayment. I am using the profits I am making to add my inventory. Attached is a picture of the bic pens that I also bought with the loan.

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  • Mercy    Jan 6, 2018

    Dear Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have received the loan requested. Thanks once again for funding my loan. I have so far purchased the items and the Bibles, Hymn books and Files have already arrived at my shop. I am now waiting on the delivery of bic pens and prayer books. I have attached some photos of the items already delivered.

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  • Mercy    Jan 4, 2018

    Dear Lenders,
    I will use the loan that you have funded to stock up on spring files - 2 cartons $50, bic pens - 2 cartons $240, hymn books - 1 carton $126, prayer books - 1 carton $50, Bibles - 1 carton $210. The books are a new introduction to the business and this loan will go a long way in enabling me to introduce them to my business. This means that I will have another stream of income from the books and my customers will also get something extra to minimize their walking around during school shopping.
    I expect to make a profit of $300.

    Thank you very much for supporting my business. I promise to be prompt with my payment instalments.

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  • popeye    Jan 2, 2018

    This book purchase sounds like the right thing to do....Good luck and
    may God inspire your readers.

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  • andis    Jan 2, 2018

    Good luck with your project

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    • Kelvin Gideon    Jan 2, 2018

      how do you lend, I cant see any option to lend or load my account

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    • Kelvin Gideon    Jan 2, 2018

      how do you lend, I cant see any option to lend or load my account

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      • Mercy    Jan 2, 2018

        Dear Kelvin,
        From the Zidisha homepage there is the lend option for lenders. Thank you.

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    • Mercy    Jan 4, 2018

      Thanks Andis.

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  • Lisa    Dec 26, 2017

    best wishes for continued success with your business!

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  • Mercy    Dec 23, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that the previous loan that I took helped me a lot in stocking up for the exams period. The profits got from the loan I also used in stocking up more items for the new year. Items like diaries.

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  • Mercy    Dec 19, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I have fully repaid my loan. Thank you for the continued support.

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  • Mercy    Dec 15, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I will be able to repay my loan ahead of schedule. I look forward to finishing the repayments next week. Thank you for your continued support.

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  • Mercy    Oct 7, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I would like to inform you that I have started making my repayments. I have however noted that it has not reflected on my profile, I think Zidisha could be having a system challenge. Thank you for the continued support.

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  • Mercy    Oct 3, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I can report that I have made purchases that I took the loan for. I am once again thankful to you for the funding.

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  • Mercy    Sep 25, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I am happy to report that I received $275.08 KES and I have today ordered for the goods I am to buy. I am thankful to you for funding my loan. I promise to be prompt with my repayments.

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  • Mercy    Sep 21, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    I am thankful to you for funding my loan. I will buy exercise books and pens for the new year 2018 beginning stock. By stocking this early it means that my clients will get the goods that they need when school opening comes.

    The profits realized from the sales will further be used in expanding my inventory.

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  • Mercy    Sep 15, 2017

    Hello Lenders,
    From the previous loan I was able to buy the mathematical sets needed. I have so far sold half of them and the remaining will be sold as the examinations approach. The profits that I made from the sets has been used in the purchase of success cards which are usually sent to candidates taking exams to wish them well.

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