Faith Kithome has learnt to pick herself up when faced with existing problems, from hustling in university to operating an online-based shoe stall.
Humble Start
She started working while still at Kenyatta University, where she got a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Sciences, Fashion Design, and Marketing.
While at the university, she worked as a marketing girl for numerous consumer businesses, and it was on her daily salary that she made it so she didn’t have to worry about maintenance money.
“I’ve always been a hustler; I grew up despising adversity and dreaming of starting my own company.” “After graduation, I had a couple of internships and raised KES 120, 000 in seed money, the majority of which went toward securing space and licenses,” she stated.
Begin with What You Have
Upeo Nine World began in Kahawa Wendani, where she had resided as a student and then as a new graduate.
“I only bought a few pairs of shoes because the majority of my money went on stall rental.” “I had an empty shop,” she continued, “but I had faith in myself and thought that with time, I would expand the business.”
“Initially, I was the one manning the business when a client made a KES 36,500 withdrawal, but the fraudsters took the phone, reversed the transaction, and disconnected my connection.” On another occasion, I lost KES 40,000. Then there was the day my assistant’s phone was taken, together with KES20,000. “On each of these occasions, I used to cry, then get myself up and keep doing business with the help of mentors,” she stated.
Ms Kithome used to have everything in one place, including shoes, apparel, M-Pesa, and a tac store, but she lately narrowed her attention to shoes and cosmetics.
“I don’t get many walk-ins because I mostly sell online.” I value one-on-one interaction with consumers, which she now has due to her physical position in town.
Trusting Yourself is Key
She encourages prospective businesses to use online resources. “You should always be expanding something while stabilizing the other, which is why I’m extending out into branding and music after being in the KU choir.”
“I’m always fighting against myself, so if you’re a new entrepreneur, you have to believe in yourself.” Start small, even if it’s simply building a page and presenting your products; be sure to update frequently and never give up,” Ms Kithome said.
Final Thoughts
Youth unemployment in Kenya has reached alarming levels. In actuality, eight out of ten unemployed persons are under forty years old. Approximately 85% of unemployed people are under the age of 35. The age group 20–24 years has the greatest unemployment rate, at 19.2 per cent.
Kenya is home to a slew of brilliant young inventors. University students developed ventilators, smart gloves with flex sensors, solar-powered roofing tiles, gas-tracking devices, a solar-powered light system to protect livestock from wildlife in rural areas, and innovative hand-washing machines that use foot pedals to reduce the spread of the coronavirus are just a few examples of recent home-grown innovations.
Read more: https://nairobinews.nation.africa/nairobi-hustle-i-grew-up-hating-poverty-so-i-hustle-hard/
