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YOUNG C.E.O COMES UP WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR ONLINE SHOPPERS

YOUNG C.E.O COMES UP WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR ONLINE SHOPPERS
YOUNG C.E.O COMES UP WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR ONLINE SHOPPERS

E-commerce has really picked up in Kenya since it brings the consumer a variety of online shops at their convenience and shopping is quite easy. All one needs is internet, a smartphone/laptop and the comfort of your home. After placing an order the products are delivered in a given address but if the products are for resale the challenge comes in when you don’t have a central place for your clients to pick up their products.

Njeri Wainaina identified this challenge and decided to come up with a solution for it. She is the founder of Wachia Agencies, a storage unit for e-commerce merchants as well as anyone who may need to store their luggage for a short while as they run errands in town.

“This idea came to me in 2014 out of a frustrating experience I had with online shopping. After placing my order, I had to wait in town for a couple of hours before the vendor arrived with my product. That’s when I thought of having a storage space in town where upon shopping online a client could go pick up their product at their own convenience without having to wait up on anyone”

The first thing Wachia Agencies does when they receive a client who needs their storage services is to verify their documents and also confirm that their goods are legal and wont pose any security threat to them and their other clients. Their charges depend on the size of the luggage and the duration of their stay at the storage unit. They currently have a variety of clients that use their storage services and they regard them all with the same importance.

“It’s such a fulfilling journey since I don’t just offer storage space but also have a relationship with my clients. I get to support them with marketing their products and dispatch services. We are in the journey together and it gives me a sense of pride to see each one of them grow with me.”

Located along Nairobi’s Koinange street Wachia Agencies initial challenge was convincing people that their property was safe at the storage unit. This is where referrals came in handy. The first people who took a chance on them were satisfied with their service and referred others. Apart from word of mouth they also use facebook and instagram to get in touch with potential clients.

Njeri is also a beneficiary of Kuza Biashara’s program dubbed She goes digital which was aimed at equipping young women with digital and social media marketing skills. She says the programme molded her in a great way since they were given a wide range of lessons not only in digital marketing but also in life skills and soft skills.

Through her entrepreneurship journey, Njeri has learnt that there is no wrong or right way to be an entrepreneur the most important thing is to believe in yourself. On top of that pray, persevere and be a problem solver.

 

 

 

 

 



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About Kuza Biashara

About Kuza Biashara

Starting a business is a leap of faith even in the best of circumstances. We at Kuza Biashara are focussed to encourage these daring small business owners who have the potential to innovate and change the world by contributing to the nation’s economy and livelihood.