Peter Githinji is a budding entrepreneur and writer based in Nairobi. He shared his painful experience of starting a business and losing it all, returning to the drawing board.
Narrating his story, Githinji revealed that his quest for success began immediately after completed his secondary school education.
He landed his first job at a tobacco firm in Mlolongo but his mere income forced him to engage in the sale of basic household items to supplement his income.
”I decided to sell basic household items like basins to the neighboring Kitengela and Isinya towns. But despite doing that I was still struggling.’’ He recalled.
His entrepreneurial spirit however kept him going even when nothing seemed to work, when there seemed to be no hope.
Githinji would later engage in the trade of pishori rice from Mwea to Nairobi and rice bran to ostrich farms. Buying old newspapers from households and selling them to butchers was another hustle.
It was not long before he learned of a barbershop that was on sale and was too quick to withdraw all his savings to acquire the premise, unaware of the risks he was about to take.
”What I didn’t know is that it was a family business and when other members realized what had happened. They confronted me but being armed with an agreement they had no option but to allow me to proceed with the business although they warned me that one day I would leave them,’’ he said.
I made Sh. 20mn at 19, was broke in nine months, relocated from Runda to village
He however ignored the threats and went on to refurbish the shop located at Madharau Street Mlolongo. The business peaked so quickly recovering Githinji’s seed capital and solving his financial woes.
”During the 2009 census week, I closed my shop as usual but on arrival at my house about 300 meters away I received a call telling me there was fire near my shop.’’
”When I arrived at the scene, everything had been gutted down. My entire business that I had used all my savings to build had been brought down within a few minutes,’’ he recalled.
With nothing to rely on financially, Githinji returned to the village to start again, determined that he would make it in the future.
He secured a temporally job at a barbershop in the outskirts of Nyeri town, which he says was a setback to him since he expected to find one in an executive shop in the town centre.
”From 150sh per head I used to charge to 30sh per head and the payment was on commission was another reality I had to grapple with, anyway on a good day I could make 150sh,’’ he said.
He saved diligently enabling him to start a movie shop, and later a barbershop and a laundry outlet that served his rural customers.
In less than half a decade, he was able to create multiple streams of income and create employment opportunities thanks to his determination.
”From where I currently stand, the sky is the limit. I can only thank God for being so gracious to me and helping me bounce back. If you’re out there feeling like giving up – don’t give up.’’
”Remember, the moment you are about to quit is the moment right before the miracle happens. Again, don’t give up.’’ Githinji who is also an author advised.
From his painful experience in entrepreneurship, he revealed he learned the following lessons.
1. Always be willing to start small and dream big
2. Follow your passion
3. Failure is not final, you can bounce back once again
4. If you are starting a business similar to that of your neighbor do some value addition
5. Always enter into an agreement with your landlord before you rent a room to do your business.
