Mr Kanyutu used to work in a bank but switched from employment to build his dream. He made a decision one afternoon, left the office and went home, drafted a resignation letter. “It was a very hard decision”, he says. It is quite clear to us at this point that he is man who makes up his mind and follows through with his decision to the very end.
He started his business in a one-room office where rent was Ksh4500 and invited a few partners and a friend from chase bank to assist him. However problem soon arose, a situation he attributes to that fact that though his associates knew of his dream, they did not truly share and believe in it.
His lowest point was when 26 million Kenyan shillings disappeared from the books and creditors came after him. Things rapidly got worse with auctioneers hounding his heels. There was even a point were he did not have enough money to make rent.
‘Reputation is very important, a good name can make or break your business’ he points out as he divulges that throughout the entire ordeal he never turned off his phone or refused to see those he owed money. He ensured that he explained the situation to his clients and financiers and was as open as he could be about the entire situation.
These troubles did not dissuade him from his dream though instead he faced the challenge head on, creating a sound and stable business plan that would see him through the hard times. He presented this plan to Chase bank, which after approving the plan provided the funds necessary to implement it.
When asked what gives him the fire to get out of bed every morning he explained that passion drives him. He loves what he does and has a vision to attain. He quickly adds that for any vision to come alive one should partner with someone who understands the business and shares the vision.
[sws_blue_box box_size=”610″]His advice to SMEs is identify what you want, map out your strategy, share the vision with everyone in the organisation that they may know what they are working towards then go for it wholeheartedly. Even when things look like they cant get worse, do not give up. There is always a way.[/sws_blue_box]
