Space International eases strain of monthly rent

By Patrick GithinjiWith the prices of land and office space in Nairobi skyrocketing, many entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to find rental space. To overcome this challenge, investors are now setting up hourly-based offices to attract young entrepreneurs as well as the regional business travellers. One such entrepreneur is Esther Muchemi, who is in her mid 40s. Four months ago, she established Space International, which provides serviced offices including accommodation. "The concept came to me three years ago when I visited UK. I was boarding in a hotel where tI had this small fully furnished office," Muchemi says."I could work with no additional cost. It was convenient for me and I thought why not replicate this in Kenya?" Esther Muchemi, the proprietor. Photos: Ann Kamoni/ StandardThe office on offer is a combination of off-site communication and address services that allow users to reduce traditional office costs while maintaining business professionalism.One-stop centreThe firm offers a package of office space, Internet, video conferencing facilities, answering telephone calls and provides meeting rooms for clients. Muchemi says she included accommodation due to the amount of luggage business travellers carry while attending meetings. "At Space International, you are able to check in, do your business, and hold meetings with clients without leaving the premises, at affordable rates.""The idea is not just a hotel room. It is a home for business people. You get the privacy like the one you get at home. The only time you think about the outside is when you are leaving," she says. The offices are located on Tom Mboya Street, which she says is the one of the busiest streets in the city and has many walk-in clients. The street is home to several banks, supermarkets, manufacturers and industrial offices."It is along this street that those buses going upcountry and parts of East Africa depart from." "So it is a convenient location for East African business travellers to conduct their business with less cost and convenience."For as little as Sh150 per hour, one can get an office space, with services such as telephone facilities, remote receptionist, mailing address, and a drop off point. For regular clients, Muchemi says that they provide them with a dedicated telephone line, box address and drop point.One of the office boardrooms at Space International"It is not necessary to be in your office. We give you an office drop off point for your mails and we are able to dispatch any correspondent for you, all at Sh6, 000 a month. The figure excludes meeting facilities," she says.Tailor-made spaceThe office space ranges from one-seater rooms to four-seater rooms to suit the client’s taste. Every room is also equipped with a microwave, cooker, utensils, and a mini-fridge."We want people to feel at home with the use our facilities.Our offer is Sh4, 000 a day."In order to meet the demands from their clients, the Space International has had to adjust a lot of its services. Among the things they have had to change is the opening hours, office-sharing model, and increased on storage facilities for the clients. She says quality; ambience, elegance and serenity are the driving force behind her business she estimates at Sh7.5 million. According to Muchemi, this is just the start and she is duplicating the idea in other part of the country. She hopes that by the end of the year, she will have established another office in at least one major town.

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Space International eases strain of monthly rent

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