Starting a business can be difficult for some people and a little motivation can go a long way into helping such people to make up their minds. What could be a better motivation than kids who want to eat and go to school!
This is mama Makena’s story a woman who has had to put on a man’s pants just to ensure that her kids don’t lack anything important in their lives
A former employee, mama Makena had to embrace entrepreneurship when she realized her meager salary was not going to cut it. With kids to take care of and school fees to be paid she had to do something. She took a bold step and quit her job. She then brainstormed on the business idea that would work for her that is when she settled on running a shop.
“The first thing I had to do was to look for a kiosk, I found one but the owner demanded for a six months’ rent even before the start of business”
A mother of five says that did not deter her. She paid the amount using her savings and with a capital of ksh. 3000 her shop was up and running. Her stock included milk sodas bread among other products and she would buy them at Highridge.
Located along Mathenge Drive mama Makena’s clients include area residents, manual laborers within and even those who drive by. The business has grown since it begun and now the products are delivered to her shop daily by the suppliers who are paid upon delivery.
When asked about any challenges she has faced she acknowledges there have been good times and bad times, “I don’t dwell on the bad times, rather I focus on finding a solution to the challenges” if anything she says the positive outweigh the bad.
“I have been able to pay my children’s school fees through this shop. They are all finished with college except for the last born who is in form four and am also confident that she will go up to college.”
When asked about any advice she has for entrepreneurs like herself she urges them to keep moving forward and look towards growth and for those planning to start a business,
“You can start a business with as little as ksh. 500 don’t wait for a lot of money before putting up a business that is just an excuse. Some of the successful people we know also started out small. So just do it!
Mama Makena is hopeful that if her business continues doing well she may be able to buy a piece of land and build her own house.
