Lawrence Kinyua is the founder of Archlaw Construction Limited, a company that specializes in construction and interior fit outs, and Director of Resil Cleaning Services, a custom cleaning company based in Nairobi.
Greatest milestone: I am most proud of becoming independent as an individual and as an entrepreneur in a highly vibrant and progressive industry. This has been possible through my endeavor and willingness to learn and improve myself on a personal and business level. In my time as an entrepreneur, I have learned that refusing to sit in the shadows and instead choosing to play in the frontline is what soars any business to profitability and self-reliance.
My secret to success: The two things that have brought me this far are networking and undivided attention to product sustainability and improvement. I am always working to improve my services and products. I have realized that leaving a customer happy and satisfied beyond their initial expectation is the surest way of having return and referral business. I rarely sleep before accomplishing a pending fit out. It is also important to put your trust in God that everything will work out as you have planned.
Lessons from my mentors: Accept problems as part of daily steps towards success. Take small and sure steps. Overnight success or riches are a farfetched fairytale. Easy come easy go. Just take the stairs!
Biggest money mistake: This has been saving money in the bank. Let your money get out and work for you. It is also critical to take calculated risks. There were times when I lost many opportunities by being too rigid. If I had learned and mastered the art of taking calculated risks, I would be a partner in a big betting company today.
Biggest career loss: In my earlier days in the construction industry, I got into many jobs without proper contracts in a bid to keep the company afloat. In the end, I lost both the income and friends. I wish that as Kenyans, we can practice honesty as a sport. It would make the community a much better place. The government should also have foolproof business arbitration quarters.
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If I could turn back the clock: I would work on the product and quality first instead of concentrating all my energies towards attracting customers. A well packaged product will always outlast a company.
My saving method: I save through restricted fixed deposits. This has been effective, especially since I am not very good in restricting my hands from dipping into savings. I previously tried normal savings accounts and the results were terrible. Buying assets and property like land is also a good way of keeping your money safe and growing.
Entrepreneurship versus employment: I am a strong advocate for entrepreneurship. This is the art of turning problems into money. In entrepreneurship, jobs and value addition are also a main byproduct. This source of income, though, is not for everybody. It is a jungle where only the strong and smart survive.
My parting shot: Strive to do good. Be good to humanity. Most of the things that we are chasing in our life are vanity. Anchor your life on strong pillars and virtues and if you stay true to yourself, everything else will eventually fall into place. Smile at the world and the world will smile back at you.
This profile feature on Lawrence Kinyua, the founder of Archlaw Construction Limited, was first published in the Saturday Magazine. The Saturday Magazine is a publication of the Nation Media Group.
