How Vinnie Leshao Built a Profitable Kinyozi Business in Eldoret

Grooming is a basic need, watu lazima wanyolewe nywele, making the kinyozi business in Kenya a reliable and consistent hustle.

Vinnie runs a barbershop (kinyozi) business in Eldoret, offering shaving and grooming services to everyday customers.

He charges around KES 200 per shave, making his services affordable and accessible to vijana, workers, and residents in the area.

This pricing strategy helps him attract a wide customer base while staying competitive in a crowded market.

With the right location and consistent service, this type of retail service business can sustain steady income over time.

Vinnie started his barber business to avoid unemployment and create his own income stream.

Instead of waiting for a job, aliamua kujiajiri na kutumia skill yake kubuild biashara.

His daily motivation comes from helping people look clean and confident.

Seeing customers walk out fresh gives him purpose and drives him to keep improving his service.

This sense of impact makes the hustle more meaningful and sustainable.

Vinnie started with approximately KES 25,000, which he raised by selling his sheep.

This capital allowed him to set up a basic barber station with essential equipment such as a clipper, chair, mirror, and shaving tools.

This shows that starting a low capital business in Kenya is possible when you use available resources.

You do not need a large investment to enter the barber industry in Kenya—you can start small and expand over time.

Getting the first customers is often the hardest part of starting a small business in Kenya.

Vinnie approached this by going directly to people. Alianza kwa kujitambulisha na kuongea na watu kwa ground, letting them know about his services.

This direct outreach helped him secure his first clients.

As he continued serving customers well, word of mouth became his main marketing strategy.

In the barbershop business, referrals are powerful. A satisfied customer can bring multiple new clients without additional marketing costs.

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Customer retention is critical for long-term success in a barber business in Kenya.

Vinnie focuses on delivering clean, consistent haircuts and maintaining good customer relationships.

He communicates well with clients and ensures they feel comfortable and valued.

Consistency is also key. By being available and reliable, he builds trust with his customers.

This trust encourages repeat visits and strengthens his reputation in the local market.

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The kinyozi business in Kenya offers independence and flexibility.

For Vinnie, the business provides both income and personal satisfaction.

Helping customers improve their appearance boosts their confidence, which in turn motivates him to continue growing his hustle.

Additionally, the business allows him to control his schedule and build something of his own.

This makes it one of the most practical self-employment opportunities in Kenya.

Read also: Joan's journey from employee to Salon biz Owner

Despite its potential, the barber business comes with challenges.

Customer flow is not always consistent. Some days are busy, while others are slow, which affects daily income. This unpredictability is common in many small businesses.

There is also high competition, especially in towns like Eldoret where many barbershops operate.

To stand out, business owners must focus on service quality, pricing, and customer experience.

However, understanding these challenges helps entrepreneurs prepare and adapt, which is essential for long-term success.

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After joining MESH, Vinnie Leshao anasema amepata exposure to new ideas, business strategies, and a wider network.

He has connected with other entrepreneurs, learned from their experiences, and improved his mindset towards business growth. This exposure has helped him think beyond his current setup.

He is now planning to expand his business by adding salon services, showing how networking and learning can directly impact business growth.

Vinnie shares advice for anyone interested in starting a barbershop business in Kenya:

Anza na resources uko nazo and do not wait for perfect conditions. Focus on consistency and show up every day.

Treat customers well because they are your strongest marketing channel.

Most importantly, take action. Many people delay starting, but success comes from learning by doing.

With discipline and patience, a small start can grow into a sustainable business.