I am Stephen Gitau Mburu, a Kenyan citizen by birth and a resident of Nairobi city. I am the first born in a family of 8, my Father, my step mum and 5 siblings. My biological mother passed on in 2007 as a result of illness. I was educated to high school level. I live in Land Mawe estate in Nairobi, together with my family. My hobbies are reading, drawing, travelling and volunteering and in my free time I like go hiking and hanging out with friends.

Previously I have worked as a courier delivery executive for a courier firm, First Link Collectors, for close to 3 years. I have now embarked on establishing my own business venture based on my immediate work, having had the requisite knowledge and experience in this industry. I am at the start up stage of my own errands and courier business called XpressPlus Delivery. I established this business since May this year and so far the business poses huge growth and development.

There is an upward trend in terms of profitability that has since been realized as a result in growth in sales. The challenge that the business faces now is having the required input in terms of machinery in tandem with the growth so far experienced. That is why I am here to raise capital to take care of the direct material costs needed to propel the business forward

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XpressPlus Delivery was born soon after having left where I was working as a result of me wanting to find a niche in the self employed sphere. Since immemorial I have always had this strong desire of a business man. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me even in my undertakings in the employed world. My utmost passion and dream is to start a business and run it to success, with the aim to change myself and my surrounding for the better. My desire is to impact lives and be a job creator. The problem why I wasn’t able to realize this before is that I did not have the space. I living my employed work presented the best chance to realize this. With the experience I had been imparted, some contact I had made in my previous undertaking and some little savings, XpressPlus Delivery was born in May 2014.

XpressPlus Delivery is an errand and courier service provider. XpressPlus Delivery seeks to expedite individual, businesses and organizations daily local errands and courier needs in Nairobi by providing secure, reliable and cost friendly services, living our clients to relax or concentrate on their core business.

Our services are: - Door to door pick ups/ delivery (mails, bulk documents, parcels, gifts, invites, statements, invoices, promotional items e.t.c ) Payment of bills( Nssf remittance, KRA remittance ,NHIF remittance, Utility Bills e.t.c ) Personal shopping( Groceries, home shopping, flowers, Laundry e.t.c) Application or renewal of licenses( Driving license, Business license e.t.c) and any other messenger duties as assigned by the client. We as well provide customized services to suit the client’s needs, preferences and demands.

Our target customers are individuals, small and micro enterprises, firms, manufacturing companies, construction companies, Non-governmental organizations, learning institutions, small law firms and others who may need our service.

XpressPlus Delivery seeks to satisfy the need of our clients of:-

1. Provide secure, reliable, time conscious and fairly priced services.

2. Be accountable to the client by being transparent.

3. Be flexible with our services and having customized service with the client’s needs, preferences and demands in mind.

We have a fairly large number of competitors who are also operating in Nairobi. This include international companies like DHL, Aramex e.t.c , local well established companies like Fargo, G4S, Petty errands e.t.c and also small errand and courier companies like Firstflight, Ambassador couriers e.t.c. However the market is fairly large as well and so far the market is not saturated not to make sales. We believe what will give us an edge above our competitor is the element of pricing and efficient services. We seek to provide our clients with the most competitive prices and be reliable in our services as this is what is lacking in most of our competitors.

Since our inception into the market in May 2014, we have realized a tremendous gradual growth with our sales increasing gradually. Between May and July 2014, the business saw a 44.8% growth with revenues increasing from USD 96.48 to USD 174.80. Profit margins have increased USD 58.92 in May 2014 to USD 113.31 in July 2014. This is as a result of increase in sales due to vigorous marketing to existing clients who have increased there shipments henceforth. Because of clients referrals we have also experienced entrance of new clients.

The business has also received enormous inquiries from potential clients about our services and some have even expressed interest in requiring our services after expiry of contract they had with other companies towards the end of the year. This is a pointer that there is growing demand for our services and better days ahead.

The big challenge the business is facing now is having the required input in tandem with this increased demand as increased demand means more business and more work load. What the business requires now is the all important machinery to be at par with the demands, a motor cycle, as I now operate without one and only use public aids of transport by road to move around and make my rounds. At the start of the business this of mode of transportation was ideal as there were not many pickups, errands and deliveries. But because of the change of situation, this mode has become inappropriate with time. This industry thrives in speed and these aids of transportation have challenges with that because of occasioned stoppage at stages and also traffic jams. A motorcycle is ideal for this form of business because of its flexibility, speed and ability to carry load. A bike with a carrier box can be able to carry fairly huge loads and maneuver around. This item will go way far in assisting the business more so to meet demands and stay focused on our core value; reliability.

In light of the above, I need to buy a new motorbike for the business. The motorbike required for this kind of job should have a powerful engine, have speed , less consumption of fuel and able to carry load beyond 100kgs. I have identified a motorcycle that is right ideal for the job and meets this conditions. A Shineray XY150-17 at a sum of USD 1157.78, best price. Getting this money in terms of a loan will go a long way to helping me achieve my target. It is my belief acquiring this machine will revolutionize the way doing business for me. It will boost potential clients confidence meaning more business and more sales.Through this I will be able to grow this business to success and realize my most ultimate dream: Create Jobs and have a part in reducing the unemployment rate here in my country Kenya.

I am aware being a new member my credit limit is low. As it is now I am only entitled to USD 50, therefore cannot be able to achieve the whole amount I need now. But I am undeterred by this minor setback. I plan to progressively increase my credit limit in the fastest time possible until ultimately be able to achieve this target. I will plow the USD 50 in the business by considering looking for a motorcycle for hire. I will also work to build up more sales by advertising by us of online platforms such as social medias ,use of pamphlets and posters.Thank you.