MESHERS Break Down the Cost of Starting a Profitable Side Hustle in Kenya.
What does it really cost to start a skincare brand? What does it cost to become a freelance hairstylist, or to land gigs as a food delivery rider?
In our “is this a good biz” series, MESHERS share valuable tips on the cost of starting a profitable side hustle in Kenya. It’s often much less than you think!
Here is what 9 MESHERS really spent to start their hustle.
1. Start a Skincare Brand - Kes 5,000
Stephen Ndaire ako na his own skincare line. Alianza biz yake with one product, a lip balm alitengeneza na organic ingredients. Capital ya kwanza ilikua 5,000 Kshs, ali-buy ingredients for the lip balm, packaging material na pia ku-create na ku-print the branding for the lip balms. After biz imeanza kushika, ali-extended product line yake to rose water, soaps and scrubs. Watch vile Stephen ana-build biz yake.
2. Get your freelance Hairstyling Starter Kit - Kes 7,000
Karen Nyambura Kiragu ni freelance hairstylist and hair braider. Instead of kufungua biz ya salon at a physical location, which needs a big investment, ali-buy starter kit yake na huwa ana-visit her customers at home. Initial investment ilikua 7,000 Kshs which alitumia ku-buy kit.
Learn from Karen vile ali-get her first customers: Here
3. Start with Food Delivery by Bike – Kes 7,000-20,000
Julius Kimani huwa ana-deliver food on his electric bicycle. Alianza na ku-deliver any orders angepata on foot, na ali-need ku-buy the food delivery bag worth 3,500 Kshs tu. Once he started making money, ali-decide ku-buy a bicycle. For 20k ali-get a good quality bike, na vile ilianza kujilipa, ali-upgrade to an electric bicycle for 70,000 Kshs.
Julius ame-share tricks za kutoboa kwa hii biz ya food delivery.
4. Become a Make Up Artist – Kes 25,000
Michelle Nkatha Koome ni freelance make up artist. Initial investment yake ilikua 25,000 Kshs which she used to buy a make up kit. Huwa anafanya make up looks, including SFX na special effects make up. Check out biz yake.
5. Start a Porridge Biz – Kes 50,000
Alice ni young business owner na amekua akifanya biz ya kuuza power uji for 2 years. Power uji sio the usual porridge, that you cook using a pot, hii una blend arrow roots, cassava and nuts. Alianza na capital ya ksh 50,000 that she used, ku-buy blender, thermos, ku-rent a small space, ku-buy plastic seats na meza. With time, ameweza ku-grow biz yake na sasa anauza other food stuff. Watch vile Alice ali-grow biz yake and the profit she makes.
6. Become a Nail Artist (Beautician) - Kes 210,000
Hosea Maina ni professional beautician. Total investment kwa career yake ni Ksh 210,000. Alitumia Ksh 150,000 ku-enroll in a beauty school, which took a year to complete. After school, ali-invest Ksh 60,000 ku-buy products and equipment. Ana-share vile ni important kuwa creative kwa hii business space na keep up with the latest trends. Cheki biz yake hapa..
7. Become a Fashion Designer – Kes 300,000
Lawrence Mutinda Kioko aka Lorenzo ni owner wa Urban Trends. Initially alikua hawker wa Gikomba market where he sold jeans. Through this, ali-manage ku-save Ksh 300,000, alitumia ku-rent shop in town, ku-hire 2 tailors, ku-buy two sewing machines na ku-import fabric from Pakistan. With time, business yake ime-grow, na ame-establish trust na customers wake. Watch vile Lorenzo. ali-grow fashion brand yake.
8. Own a Gaming Den – Kes 400,000
Francis ana own biz ya PlayStation. Ali-save for years hadi akafikisha initial investment yake ya Ksh 400,000. With the money, ali-buy 4 screens, 4 PlayStations, kulipa rent, ku-get government licenses and instead of buying seats, alitafuta carpenter ku-make seats zake. Throughout the years, ame-gain experience na ame-share vile unaweza grow na ku-manage biz kama hii. Learn from Francis vile unaweza fanya hii biz ya PS hapa
9. Start a Transport Biz – Kes 580,000
Kairetu Jenny anafanya transport business. Alianza biz na secondhand car ali-buy na 580,000 Kshs. After 6 months, ali-decide ni time ya ku-grow kiasi, akachukua loan from a bank ku-buy a bigger car for 1.6 M Kshs. Loan imemsaidia ku-grow biz yake na sasa anaweza offer more services to her clients. Cheki vile Kairetu. ali-grow biz yake.