Am a business woman in a small town called Rongai in Nakuru county. I deal with retail of new cloths for both men and women including children. This business has become a source of growth socially and metally for me, it has opportunities for learning how best to deal with customers in order to make profit that will keep my business growing even though the town is small and there are other outlets dealing with the same. I can now deal with friendly customers who order and pay upfront for what they need. This trust has also given me confidence that my business will grow. Hence the need to continue partnering with you Zidisha lenders. Am widowed with six children two of whom have families, one unemployed and three are in different level of education in post secondary.
My sustenance and the upkeep of those in school depends on how best I work in my retail shop. Am now 53 years old and by the time my husband passed on none of our six children had joined secondary school. With two time employment as shop steward ( where I got interest in business), and now my own business, and seeing where they are surely am hopeful that things will be better.
When am free in the evening and Sunday afternoons am involved in church activities dealing with community development projects
My dream still remain to buy a plot so that I can build a home for my family. Zidisha community is my perfect choice to partner with in realizing this dream. My first loan from Zidisha was a good booster in stocking and am happy to be a worthwhile member.
I sell new cloths in a small shop in Rongai town Nakuru county. Most of my customers are women who give me orders to buy for them certain dresses that are in fashion. I also stoke for men and children.
I travel to the major town and buy clothes at wholesale prizes which I then sell at a profit in our town. I make at least 1.5dollars on average for each item that I sell. With a good order and a busy season in the year I can average a monthly profit of 175 – 200 dollars.
My previous employment as a shop steward has given me an upper had against my competitors. So am able to understand what customers need and even where to get it from. I have not disappointed them and this way I make profit and am able to sustain my business.
The expenditure in business is about 50 dollars for the outlet rent and electricity my expense in transport and travel is calculated as a percentage of the profit for the items that I travel for. I have not employed somebody because my unemployed son steps in for me in case I have to travel or many customers have to be attended to.
starting I was aware of the difficulties of doing this kind of business, at least two other shops were doing the same, starting with a very small stock and building trust from customers is not a simple task but with support and encouragement from family and friends I was able to make it.
This second loan is expected to increase stock and attract more custiomers as we head towards December which a good season.
As we gear up for this Christmas festive i have plans to re - stock my shop with the following items from this loan of USD 376.377 (Ksh 33,554) . Men wear of different variety and trends of casual wear, jeans trousers, shirts, jackets, sweaters and shoes. This will approximately spend USD 112.17 (Ksh 10,000).
Women wear also ranging in different styles and genre i.e skirt suits, African wear, dresses, vitenge, skirts of different types and shoes, this will approximately take USD 112.17 (Ksh 10,000) also.
The rest of the loan of USD 112.17 (Ksh 10,000) will be used to purchase children cloths and shoes and the remaining amount of Ksh 3,554 will cater for transport and other expenses i will be incurring during the purchases.
The Christmas season has proven a spectacular time for the business improvements and expansion. I am looking forward to have a good festive this season with expectations of high sales.