Tantrums at the barbershop? I created the solution

I am a creative designer and I have worked on and off in the advertising industry for the past 10 years. I studied multimedia design in Melbourne, Australia, and after I came back home in 2006, I worked for K24, NTV and Scanad as a creative designer before leaving to start Sprouts Kids Salon & Barbershop in 2013. I now run Sprouts and also returned to working as a creative designer but at Transcend Media Group.

I had just left my job with a major advertising agency. My son was two years old at the time and we struggled getting his hair cut. He hated it! That was when I got the idea; to open a space where kids could do their hair with stylists who are patient and understanding and use child friendly hair products.

I named the business Sprouts Kids Salon & Barbershop and created a fun-themed space where children can get their hair done and have a chance to play and watch cartoons. The initial concept and work started in 2012 and we opened doors for business on June 19, 2013. We recently marked our fifth anniversary.

RUNNING A START UP:

I could write a whole book about running a start up. But to summarise it, there have been ups and downs. Understanding the finances and having financial discipline was a major challenge for me and not as easy as I thought it would be. Also, dealing with staff problems and human resource issues and training your staff on providing an excellent service right from when the client walks in to when they leave came with its own share of challenges. Daily maintenance and upkeep of the business equipment and dealing with theft and negligence from staff was also a big hurdle and still is. It's safe to say that I am a legit plumber and electrician now, but the ups have also been rewarding; when you get feedback from parents and children who say they love Sprouts and wouldn't go anywhere else. When you meet complete strangers who say they know Sprouts is also always a validation that we are doing something right. My clientele are from all walks of life. I have dads who come in with their sons for a haircut. I have children who are dropped off with their nanny because the parents may be busy elsewhere. I have mums who sit right through with their daughters as they get their hair braided and just want the mums' reassurance. I also have women who pop in for a quick manicure and pedicure.

We have definitely grown in terms of our client base and we have broken even. Our biggest overhead is rent and salaries. My hope is to expand and have several other branches and start a kids hair product line.

MY TIP:

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Whatever it is you want to start, it must solve a need. Begin small and know your target audience. We do children's hair and we have solved that need for parents. Of course there will be days you will feel that it's about to collapse and everything is not working out, but it will be OK. Do not give up. Keep pushing.

FACT BOX

LAUNCHED: June 19, 2013

START-UP COSTS: Sh4 Million

EXPECTED TURNOVER: Sh15 million

LOCATION: Valley Arcade Shopping Centre, First Floor, off Gitanga Road, Lavington, Nairobi

WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/SPROUTSSALON