Grace Wambere: How I made it in mitumba business after quitting IT job

Back In Germany, we used to go to the big go downs where we would buy clothes at Sh124 (one Euro) per Kg. After every season they do clearance at the godowns where people would buy tons of clothes in Kilogrammes, have them wrapped up but I never understood where they took the bales. After doing my research I came to understand how the process works. I started by selling kids’ stuff when I launched my business in Kenya but expanded the offer following advice from clients and their demands.

“I could be guided by clients’ demands because they could ask me to bring for them particular items. That is how I started introducing new items into the stock. I must however confess that it took me a long time before I could open my own bale because the advice I was getting from people was mostly ‘hii itakuchoma’,” she says. By and by I grew from the ‘mali mali’ type of shopping in Gikomba and started sourcing for my own bales. Having been a frequent visitor to the German go downs, I had come to understand the clothes business dynamics. I personally sourced for suppliers by myself from China, Netherlands, USA, Germany and now I have incorporated Canada.

Although I trust my suppliers because they have never let me down, I make sure I have a point-man whom I work with. The bales cost anything between Sh. 8,000-30,000. I always request for samples because sometimes they can send you Grade two yet you ordered for Grade one. In Netherlands I have Maina. He makes sure he is there when my consignment is being packed because ‘Ukora’ –deceit is everywhere.

I do both retail and wholesale

After first camera whereby customers pick a minimum of 20 pieces, I sell the rest of the stock on retail from as low as Sh. 50 sometimes Sh. 10. Customers come with even two hundred shillings and pick up start up stock and after a while they come back and tell me they have saved enough and are now ready to buy a bale. I have have embraced the business fully and currently expanded from the Moi avenue store to other two branches at Kenyatta university and around Jeevanjee Gardens. The business also has online presence and we make deliveries upon client request.

Lessons learnt : Patience with the business picking up.

Some people rush into opening a brick and motar store. I always discourage that untill the business is able to sustain itself. I’ve seen people open shops and close after three months. I have also learnt that sharing is caring. The more you give the more you recieve. I do charity, Sometimes by giving people bales and mentoring them on how to start business.

Marketing

Call me on my lines and the voice over directs you to my business name, where we are located and how you can get in touch with us. That’s how my ‘Skiza’ has been customized. We are on Facebook where we have a group of over 231,000 active members. Our shopping bags, employees overrals including reflector jackets for our riders are all branded. And of course there is referrals by word of mouth.

Family and business

My husband is a lawyer. He is not directly involved in Mitumba chap chap. He however chips in when I require legal help like in signing of contracts and tax related issues. We got married in 2013. I knew him even before going to Germany. We come from same upcountry. We have two children aged four and two years old. When I am not working, I love travelling. I do a meet and greet customers kind of tours for Mitumba chap chap.

Advice to upcoming enterpreneurs: Dont go asking.

I have Sh.10,000,which business do I start? You will be lying to yourself. People should decide for the themselves what they want to do. If you fall down along the way, rise up, dust yourself and start again. Your effort will eventually pay off.