From Hawking Masks to a Thriving Beauty and Barber Business

Arnorld

Arnold is a young man who started his career as a hospitality professional. He loves cooking and hiking. He was employed in various renowned hotels but still had a conviction that he could thrive in  business which compelled him to quit employment in the year 2019. 

As he was still navigating opportunities to explore, COVID-19 pandemic struck and everything came to a stand still. One day as he was hawking oranges, he stopped by a mask vendor and in a few minutes, he realized that was an area that would fetch him a good income. The following day he started selling face masks near a matatu stage and the very same day he sold 5 boxes with almost double the profit margin. He persevered through all the challenges related to the pandemic with an aim of saving  and opening a barber and beauty shop. 

A short term plan was to have another source of income to complement his daily savings where he added confectionaries. Four months later, an opportunity to open a barber shop near his usual hawking area knocked and he took it up. Business was good and a year later, he incorporated beauty services and products to target the younger population of college students around his business. This pushed him to enrol in a beauty college through a crush program of 3 months which he said was the best decision he made. 

As the business was doing well, the demand for better and latest trends in the beauty sector grew. He also started getting orders for beauty services in weddings and other functions hence the need for more capital.  He was worried that he did not have collateral to access a loan and his business was still small. 

June 2023 4G officers marketed to him and it felt like an answered prayer when he learnt that he did not require any collateral. After the business assessment he was qualified for a loan of $50 which he used to purchase products for an event that was upcoming and that set the beginning of his business growth. He was able to start a delivery business in the same premises where he purchased 3 medium carts and employed 3 youths. His business has grown from making a profit of $4 to $15 a day with 1 permanent employee  and 3 casuals. The financial management he has received from 4GC staff have helped him strengthen his savings skills where he desires to open another branch in eastlands as well as purchase a car for the purposes of outdoor events. Debt management training has also enabled him to have financial discipline such as self regulation of loan as per business need and strictly using loan borrowed for business purposes only. 

His business has not been without challenges such as frequent power blackouts and high cost of labor, much of which he continuously overcomes through hardwork, passion and authenticity in his products and service delivery. 

"Choosing 4GC is a decision he highly recommends to other business owners, as they truly accompany their customers on the journey of growth, offering excellence and consistent support through their professional staff".