MY STORY
John is a humble, quiet going person born in a family with a Christian background from Murang’a County. I’m the fifth born in a family of twelve siblings, Thanks to my parents for taking care and educating each and every one of us.
I attended Ngaru Primary School, kangema high school and later proceeded to Murang’a College of Technology for a technician Course in Mechanical Engineering (plant maintaince). After my course I went to assist one of my elder brothers in managing his business at Gikomba open air market. I got a bit of experience and developed a desire to start my own business instead of looking for an employment. My father was also a Mechanical engineering but specializing in automobile at burns and blanes limited (B&B).
I managed to save kes 500 ($ 6) and started my business with that much, I used to do hawking selling ripe bananas, finally I acquired money that I could rent a stall. God blessed my business and I started sourcing direct from the farmers in large quantities. I later relocated my business to kitengela market where I started green grocery. I started with spring onions but now have introduced a lot of varieties i.e.
1. Spring onions 11. Okra
2. Cucumber 12. Zuchinni
3. Garlic 13. Beet roots
4. Ginger 14. Grano
5. Egg plant 15. Thorn melon
6. Chilli 16. Leeks
7. Edible stones 17. Turmeric
8. Tarmarind 18. Passion fruits (grey)
9. Lemons 19. Passion fruits (yellow)
10. French Beans 20. Passion fruits (tomato)
I usually purchase the products from the wakulima (marigiti) market where I buy in bits to ensure freshness and quality. My supplier are so reliable such that some time we only communicates through the phones and goods are delivered to my stall thus relieving me the task of going there.
Happily married and blessed with three children;
• Elizabeth,
• Daniel,
• Belisha.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Since 2004 I have served the community in various capacities;
1. Founded Gikomba Intertraders self help group (G.I.T) and served as its first secretary for 9 years. (2004-2013).
2. Founder member of Gikomba wanabiashara sacco , served as the sacco’s first secretary for 6 years (2007-2013).
3. Founder member of new vision self help group and groups secretaries since 2005-2016 (11years). The group has purchased plots for its member.
I loved and appreciated serving the members and the community especially where we were doing social entrepreneurship like managing public toilets for small fees. I served all the groups concurrently and at the same time doing my business. There was no any compensation from the group.
It’s my dream that one day one time I will serve in a bigger capacity.
MY BUSINESS
I have been in a business for the last 22 years, specializing in sole proprietorship; that is since 1994. My business is a green grocer and is currently located in kitengela market, Kajiado County. The business is 7 years old.
The products i sells are on high demand and are almost used on daily basis. The varieties are as per on my story. The capital base is $63.
My business is unique in such a manner that there are not so many others specializing in such products with exception of the supermarkets. It’s my wish to satisfy my customers (community) with quality good throughout the year and at affordable prices.
It’s my hope that with the 22 yrs experience, adequate ability and better man power my business is going higher;
My contacts are 0723870357
Email; [email protected]
The sales are on weekly basis; to get monthly sales, multiply by 4
Kes 60,500x4 = kes 242,000
Yearly sales = 242,000x12 = kes 2,904,000
If 1 $ =kes 83
To convert into $ =2,904,000= $34988
83
Total purchase
Weekly =50250 kes
Monthly = 50250x4 =201,000 kes
Yearly =201, 000x12 = kes 2,412, 000
To convert = 2,412,000=$ 29,060
83
Gross = 34988
Profit 29060
$ 5,928
BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR SPICES
I will introduce the following spices
1. Black cummin ( ijara)
2. Cinnamon (mdarasini)
3. Cardamon (hiliki)
4. Cloves (karafuu)
As per the current market research the cost are as follows.
Black cumin – kes 1200 per kg $ 15
Cinnamon – kes 1200 per kg = $ 15
Cloves – kes 1400 per kg = $ 17
Cardamon – kes 1400 per kg = $ 17
- 1 kg = 1000gm while 1 $ = kes 83
For black cumin and cinnamon ; 1200 kes each
1000gm = kes 1200
1 gm = 1200=1.2 kes
1000
For cloves & cardamom ; 1000gm = 1400 kes
BUSINESS PROPOSAL
1. Executive summary
Being a sole proprietorship the business offers grocery products to the community and the surrounding areas of approximately 5,000 citizens.
The community’s viability is dependent upon the success of the local business and without a successful pillar such as my grocery store the community would falter and gradually suffer.
John and daughter Belisha are packing the spices for research on the proposal
The grocery store is seeking funding to assist with greater development efforts and to provide opportunities for further growth. The store was opened 7 years ago; that’s in 2009 and several varieties have been introduced periodically.
Funding will enable the” introduction of packed spices” in the store. This will improve and expand the services and enhance the grocery’s (business) continued success in the community.
As on Dec 1 2014 annual sales of the business stood at $ 14948, with only minor changes to the business and addition of varieties annual sal