I am a tale-preneur selling project management consultancies and IT solutions online. I live in Nakuru County in the vast Rift Valley Province, Kenya. I started a business to cater for two needs. One, I decided to bridge a gap between computer literacy in the outskirts of Nakuru town and other skills possessed by youthful residents. In the outskirts of Nakuru town with improved internet connectivity, and no opportunities for more opportunities, leading young people towards the path of online working (work from home) as virtual assistants, data clerks etc. With better education credentials compared to the average population, I felt obligated to offer this business and bridge the gap especially for those seeking job opportunities for self sustenance. Secondly, I started the business for a profit motive and live to the dream of my university’s mission, that of creating employment. Though the business started small, it has expanded especially after sourcing for regular institutional clients where I offer IT support services, virtual book keeping and virtual assistance. The profits have been re-invested leading to the rapid growth. The loan/Pay it forward from Zidisha will actually Zidisha (expand) my business especially in the sense that it will allow me to purchase more computers and probably open another branch in an rural-urban town setup. This will be done after topping up the loan with some savings.

My business operates within the larger Information Technology Industry. My business offer support services such as internet bureau services, online research services, virtual assistance, computer accessories services, data processing services, Information systems maintenance services among other assistive services. Demand for computer services in this region is very high. Also high is the emerging market of service outsourcing. This has been occasioned by the new realization of the position of the information technology as a business aid. Most medium sized businesses are adopting IT infrastructures thus providing a good business environment for the providers of these services. Most firms, local and foreign, are adopting to outsource non core roles in order to concentrate on the core roles of their businesses. The services offered by my business include data handling, processing and execution, tailoring programs to the specific needs of an organization. Since competition is limited especially for the advanced IT services; the business has remained the preferred provider among a wide area. The reputation in working with both private and public schools has remained unquestionable, with a wide coverage of schools being my clients.

The business is profitable in the sense that I can source for materials cheaply making my sales for services highly profitable. The demand for training services, including simple IT package training, has proved to be a good source of revenue with very limited costs. The main challenge has remained the ever changing IT industry where new IT products are introduced even before getting to some potential clients. Bearing in mind that most of the business owners are older and computer illiterate, this dynamism of the IT industry has been a major hindrance to them. Despite this, i have a resolve to be at par with newer innovations to maintain relevance in the market.

As far as revenues are concerned, my business generates a total revenue of around Kenya Shillings 230,000. Costs include rent of Ksh.30000, salary and wages of about Ksh 64,000 and purchases worth around Ksh40,000. This leaves me with around Ksh 94000 per month. This amount is further apportioned to savings of around Ksh. 40,000, leaving around Ksh. 54,000 for my personal use as this is a sole proprietorship.

As a certified Project Management Trainer, and with the advent of the adoption of digital work platfroms such as work from home, there is an increased demand by corporate to handle their training needs digitally. To enhance service delivery and increase on customer base, I purpose to purchase more digital equipment. This will enhance the increase in revenue hence enabling me to repay this loan within a short duration. I wish to thank all Zidisha members for their continued cooperation. This is my 8th loan. It has been an empowering platform