Unsatisfied by her first job as a beautician, young entrepreneur ventures into a business that has attracted many customers, making reasonable returns in the process
If you live in Kenya, I bet you have come across vendors of a popular variety of sausages known as ‘smokies’ on the streets, wearing white coats, while pushing or standing near their trolleys. Others carry plastic buckets full of ‘smokies’ and boiled eggs. A big number of Kenyans love taking boiled eggs and the popular ‘smokiepasua.’ It serves as a quick snack that can be taken at any time of the day. Most vendors who sell the two snacks have loyal customers. They make a tidy profit from the informal business.
On a good day, a vendor can make sales amounting to as high as Kshs. 1,000. The profit margin is also good. As our country grapples with the high level of unemployment (especially among the youth), one can invest in such a business. It doesn’t require a lot of start-up capital and it is quite flexible.
The Beginning
Disciplined, ambitious and a highly focused lady by the name Nissah Chebos has been in this business for the last three years. “I am a wife, a mother and young entrepreneur based in Westlands Shopping Centre – Nairobi,” she shares. Chebos started her business in December 2019 having identified a gap and a suitable location in Westlands shopping centre. The area has many people working in offices and small enterprises as well astwo leading tertiary colleges.
Having pursued a course in hair dressing and beauty, Chebos was first employed in a salon for a period of one year, before venturing into her own business. Initially, her dream was to start her own salon, but she was short of capital. After quitting her job in the salon, she got employed as a smokies’ and boiledeggs vendor. She loved the freedom that came with her new job. “I realized that this business was very profitable and after learning a few ropes, I decided to venture into it,” Chebos says.
After accumulating some savings, she was able to start her own business. According to her, it was quite easy to start such a business since it required little capital. The estimated cost for her first stock was about Kshs. 3,000 to 5,000. That is how her entrepreneurial journey began. Gradually, her business picked, owing to the fact that she got a suitable location and the competition was limited. With time, she was able to attract many customers in her business . In turn, they referred their friends to the business and it therefore continued to thrive.
DELICIOUS: Boiled eggs and smokies (popularly know as smokie pasua).
Requirements
To start such a business there are a few things one needs to consider. You need to conduct research on the market. Most entrepreneurs skip this important step, though it is very important. “Market research helps you to understand your business better,” says Chebos adding that it is through market research that one is able to identify competitors as well asthe gaps that require suitable solutions.
After conducting a market research, you need to have a business plan which essentially focuses on both the short and long term goals. The business plan should outline the amount of capital required and how you intend to raise it. You are also able to identify your target market and how you intend to reach them. If you are intending to source your supplies from wholesalers, you need to list them and come up with ways and means of reaching them. In Kenya, every business needs to obtain a license in order to operate legally. “When starting such a business, you need to ensure that you register it with the county government in order to operate it legally,” she adds.
A serving of smokie pasua.
Any business requires capital to start running. For the smokies, sausages and boiled eggs vending business, you need grilling equipment that costs around Ksh 7,000 and a supply of smokies from a Farmer’s Choice shop or supermarket. A packet of smokies containing twenty two pieces goes for Kshs. 380. You also need eggs that can be sourced from any shop or directly from poultry farmers at Kshs. 350 per tray. “Instead of buying eggs, sausages and smokies from random sellers, it is advisable for you to get a reliable and convenient supplier. “I buy my smokies and sausages from Farmers Choice,” states Chebos. You will also need tomatoes, onions, coriander (dhania), chilli and tomato sauce. Aside from the trolley which goes for around Kshs. 5000, one also needs tins for preparing and storing kachumbari, spoons, a knife and tongs. If you are working on a tight budget, then some of these equipment can be picked from your house.
Location
The other key aspect is identifying a suitable business location. Choosing a well thought out location for your business determines your success or failure. It is advisable to locate such a business in an accessible location and not a residential area where people leave in the morning and get back at dusk. “The best locations for an eggs, sausages and smokies business is around learning institutions, market places, near bus stops, around bars and pubs, around places that host social events or even in public parks,” she explains.
Every business’s main objective is to make profits. Chebos’ business is quite profitable. If you buy a packet of smokies with twenty two pieces at Kshs. 380, and sell each piece at Kshs. 35, you will make a profit of Kshs. 390 per packet. A tray of eggs with thirty eggs costs Ksh 350. If you sell each egg at Kshs. 25, you will net a profit of Kshs. 400. This clearly shows that the business is quite profitable. By selling a tray of eggs and a packet of smokies in a day, you will have made a profit of over Kshs. 600. The more you sell , the higher the profits you get. “The eggs, sausages and smokies business isprofitable, but it is important to know that you will need a lot of patience and determination to succeed. Employing good customer service will help you retain customers and attract new ones,” she says.
As an entrepreneur, her goal is to expand her business and to open a restaurant in the near future. She urges young people who are not employed to venture into business. “The other key aspect that has kept me in this business is maintaining cleanliness. Customers are attracted to a clean place because they are concerned about their well-being; a dirty environment discourages them,” Chebos says. She spends about eleven hours in a day at her work place, starting work at 7.00 am and closing at 6.00 pm although the time varies depending on the day’s sale and how fast the products have been consumed. “I love what I do and the way I serve my customers is unique. I ensure that I retain them and they give me referrals in turm,” she ends.
