My second name is diligent: The rise of Linda Ruteere, Diligent Beyond Movers owner

Linda Ruteere is the owner of Diligent Beyond Movers, a start-up that is involved in moving offices, homes and goods across Kenya and beyond the border.

She tells Phares Mutembei how she found a niche in the industry

 My background

My late father was in the transportation and logistics business, covering the East and Southern Africa regions. I really admired his work and achievements.

After secondary education at St Teresa’s, Riiji in Central Imenti, I proceeded to the Kenya Institute of Science and Technology in Kiambu, for office management and secretarial courses and at the Institute of Advanced Technology for computer and technology.

I worked in the customer service at the security and courier services provider, G4S, for seven years. I also worked at Flower Wind Kenya, in customer service. After working at G4S for seven years, I resigned to start my own company together with a few other people.

The idea

I had gained a lot of knowledge from working at the courier company and I wanted to own such a company and grow it into one of the biggest in Kenya, if not the region. I floated the idea to others who loved it, so we pooled resources and set up Diligent Courier to transport parcels only. We looked for space in Westlands, Nairobi, in 2013 and started operations, transporting parcels to Nakuru, Mombasa, Kericho and Eldoret.

We set up a network of people to man offices in those towns. Unfortunately, we operated for only a year before we split with my three partners because the amount of business we were getting was not enough to sustain it and earn us meaningful profits.

We also had other teething problems like lack of commitment from partners. In July 2015, I parted ways with them, relocated to Donholm, Eastlands, and started Diligent Beyond Movers to transport furniture, machines and other heavy loads.

What happened next

Even then, I did not get the desired amount of clients because people did not fully embrace the concept of hiring a company to move their stuff to new offices, homes and other destinations. Most people preferred to hire the pick-ups parked by the roadside because it was cheaper and it was what they were used to.

But the difference is we pack every single item, nothing goes unpacked, even spoons! In addition, if it is a home we are moving, we ensure things are arranged just the way they were in the previous home. I am an interior designer so I use these skills to market my company.

Running a start up

It has been a long journey but it has not been without challenges, some of which I have not fully surmounted but things are looking up. We’ve had many challenges including the fact that I would like to have large trucks of my own, which I would modify to ferry different types of cargo. Due to the fact that business is slow, I have not raised enough cash to purchase the trucks.

The other challenge is the fact that not many Kenyans have embraced the concept, so I have deployed social media and relied on referrals to make us known in Kenya. I have five workers in Nairobi and two in Meru due to the amount of business, but I would like it to grow faster, which would require more employees.

The company’s headquarters are in Meru town, where I also run a spa and an interior design business. I have plumbers, electricians and other workers who are key in moving goods successfully and installing them in the owner’s new addresses.

Where I am now

Just like other businesses that suffer when the environment in Kenya is not good, we also have taken some hits.

For example, during the post-election period, we dared not be on the road and there was a lengthy lull as we waited for political temperatures to dissipate. We lost income because business stopped yet there were workers and bills to pay. The good thing is the business has not stagnated, we are encouraged by companies and people who need to shift to new offices and homes.

One of my high points was when we were hired in 2016 to transport 10 tonnes worth of goods from Kenya to an exhibition in Bujumbura, Burundi.

It was a long trip but we managed to deliver the goods with not a single item lost or damaged. I have learnt that when you deliver to a client’s satisfaction, they feel somehow obligated to refer their friends to you. Many of my clients are referrals.

My tip

For one to succeed in this business, you have to learn the technicalities and risks involved. You have to have committed and experienced individuals because you don’t need staff who do not know how to handle goods made from different types of materials, including glass and other fragile and expensive materials.

More about linda’s business

Launched: July 2014

START-UP costs: Sh150, 000

Targeted turnover: Sh4 million annually, for a start!

Facebook: Diligent Beyond Movers