KEVIN MUREITHI, 28, has always had an eye for business. He started with a Sh4,000 printer, but now dreams of a clientele base around East Africa. He spoke to SHIRLEY GENGA
What do you do for a living?
I have a business called Jabali Furniture in Westlands, Nairobi. I sell home and office furniture from China and Malaysia. We also provide indoor and outdoor furniture.
Have you always had an interest in business?
I have always been an entrepreneur. When I was a young boy, I always made deals. I do not come from a privileged background, and so I would take fruits from our farm and exchange them for pencils and other school stationery. Immediately after high school in 2002, I got a job. I came from school on Thursday and by Saturday, I had a sales job at Top Gear, a spare parts company in Nakuru. Although it gave me a little cash and some experience, it was not challenging enough. I worked there from November 2002 to June 2003 when I joined Strathmore University to do Accounts until 2005. I then joined Kenya College of Accountancy from June 2005 until the end of that year.
What happened next?
Instead of looking for employment, I started a printing and photocopy business where I could also sell DVDs. I knew many students were unable to often go to town to buy the latest DVD movies and series, and I decided to take advantage of that market. I did not have much money, so I started with a printer worth Sh4,000. I could not even pay rent and made a deal to pay it after a month of business. Business was good and I continued for six months before I branched into something else.
What did you do next?
I began selling stationery, but had to think of a way to diversify. I looked for unexplored opportunities and the idea of supplying paper rims to offices came to mind. My customers were mostly law firms. I did not only provide free delivery services, but I also came up with a flexible payment scheme where they would pay later. I always strive to go the extra mile and to sell convenience, which has so far worked. I did it for two years and made quite a bit of money.
What business did you start next?
I started a cab business in 2008. I bought one car and hired four others. I targeted businesses that provided their employees with a monthly allowance for cab use because they moved around a lot. The first two months were rough, but it slowly picked up. After a while, I was able to attract a good client list with Access Kenya being my biggest clients. My business did well, but by 2011, I felt I had reached my optimal growth.
What was your next venture?
I decided to start a club with a friend. We got space along Moi Avenue, Nairobi but our biggest challenge was doing our interiors. We tried to find one person who could do everything because subletting was expensive, but we didn’t find a suitable person.
How did you deal with that challenge?
To cut costs, I decided to go to Malaysia to purchase the interior furniture. It was then that I had an ‘aha! moment’. I realised I could be a supplier of affordable interior solutions because there was, obviously, a vacancy. That is how Jabali Furniture was born.
You have done this for six months and seem to be doing well. What marketing tools do you use?
Facebook has been our biggest tool. My business is young, but we have about 12,000 followers. We have also put up a billboard in Westlands.
What do you love about what you do?
I enjoy transforming a client’s house into home or a space into an executive office. Creating job opportunities is also a blessing for me.
What are your future plans?
I see myself opening many furniture branches across East Africa.
What do you do for fun?
I am an indoor person. I love to relax at home with my family. I have a wife and a four-year-old daughter.
