How Habil Oduor Built His Events & Decorations Business in Kisumu
Habil Oduor runs an events and outside catering business Smartteam Events & Decorators based in Kisumu Central, Nyalenda B Ward.
The business deals with events management, outside catering, funeral arrangements, wedding decorations, birthdays, graduation ceremonies, and housewarming parties.
Basically, kama kuna event, Habil and his team wako ready kusort.
The main goal of the business is to make profit, create job opportunities for locals, and improve the living standards of the community.
What inspired Habil to start this hustle was the need to earn a stable income and make an impact.
Motivation yake kila siku ni kuona bills zinalipwa, watu wanapata jobs kupitia kazi yake, and clients wakirudi wameridhika. He believes biashara si tu pesa, ni also about changing lives.
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How much capital is enough to start an events business?
Habil started the business with Ksh 100,000, which he borrowed as a soft loan from a registered group and later a SACCO.
Haikuwa easy, but alisema lazima uanze mahali. The capital helped him buy basic equipment and materials needed for catering and decorations.
From there, akasema kidogo kidogo, hustle ika grow.
The first customers walikuwa locals from the neighborhood.
To attract them, Habil offered services at discounted rates, especially for funerals and small family events.
This strategy helped him build trust, network, and get referrals. Word of mouth ilifanya kazi sana, locals walirecommend to outsiders, na hapo ndio biashara ilianza kuonekana serious.
To keep customers coming back, Habil focuses on follow-ups and feedback.
After every event, he checks in with clients to know what went well and what can be improved.
This helps him maintain good relationships and improve service delivery. Consistency na honesty ni muhimu sana kwa hii industry.
What Habil loves most about his business is that it is his main source of income.
Inamlipa bills, inamsupport daily life, and most importantly, it creates jobs for local youth whenever there’s an event.
Seeing people earn kutokana na kazi yake inampa motivation kubwa sana.
However, challenges ziko. Competition is very high, brokers often interfere with market prices, and sometimes clients refuse to pay the agreed amount after the job.
Hizi ni issues common kwa events business, but Habil amesema lazima ukue tough na ujifunze kusema no when necessary.
Since joining MESH, Habil has gained a lot. Amelearn about modern marketing, new products in the market, and how to detect fake customers.
The knowledge, exposure, and network from MESH have helped him think bigger and operate smarter.
To any MESHer planning to start a business or hustle, Habil advises: “Don’t wait for opportunities to come to your doorstep, create them. Nothing comes on a silver platter.”
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