In 2005, John Mukundi took a leap of faith by resigning from his job as a tutor and ventured into the field of college education.
Armed with a mere Sh 8,000 borrowed from a friend, he laid the foundation for what would become Achievers College of Professionals, a renowned institution in Embu County.
The Humble Beginnings
Born into a non-privileged background, Mukundi’s journey to entrepreneurship was not without its challenges.
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After working as a bar attendant for two years, he pursued a diploma in accounting while teaching at various high schools and an accountancy college.
It was during his teaching career that he realized the importance of self-employment in achieving his dreams.
Inspired by a biblical verse, he decided to make the bold move into entrepreneurship and borrowed Sh 8,000 to establish Achievers College of Professionals.
“In my teaching career, I realised that if I was going to achieve my life dreams, I had to get into self-employment. I got some inspiration from the Bible in Joshua 3, which says when you see the priest carrying the ark, know it is time to cross over,” Makundi said in a past interview.
Building the Foundation
With the borrowed capital, Mukundi rented two single rooms in Embu town and acquired a few tables through barter trade.
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Despite financial constraints, he launched an intensive advertising campaign that attracted an initial intake of 12 students pursuing accounting courses.
Hiring five tutors, he paid them Ksh 80 per lesson, gradually improving their remuneration as the college’s reputation grew.
“This taught me an important lesson. We were earning Sh7,000 after a month of toiling, which made me realise we were earning less than we should be.” he recounted.
Mukundi’s strategic decision to offer evening classes to cater to the working class became a pioneering move in the town, driving further growth and increasing student enrollment.
Expansion and Diversification
As Achievers College of Professionals flourished, Mukundi recognized the need to diversify its offerings.
Sensing a demand for computer education, he introduced information technology courses at affordable rates, charging only Sh 400 per package.
The introduction of these courses attracted a significant number of students, forcing the college to move to larger premises at Subira House in Embu town.
With expanded facilities, including more computers and learning materials, the college continued to grow, enrolling between 400 and 600 students per semester.
Becoming a Beacon of Education
Achievers College of Professionals established its reputation as a premier educational institution in Embu County.
In addition to offering diplomas and higher diplomas in accounting, business, information technology, management, and journalism, the college became a Cisco academy, providing practical courses for computer networking.
Mukundi’s vision extended beyond the town, as he set up digital villages in rural areas, providing affordable internet access and computer literacy programs to underserved communities.
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The college’s commitment to quality education, coupled with its expansion and outreach efforts, solidified its position as a beacon of learning.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the significant challenges Mukundi faced in the education business was teacher retention.
Acknowledging the importance of competitive pay to retain talented educators, he ensured that their remuneration was on par with the market rate.
This strategy helped in motivating and retaining quality teachers, contributing to the college’s success.