MY EXPERIENCE DOING BUSINESS AS A YOUTH IN KENYA

INTRODUCTION

My experience in running a business has been one to never forget. Yes, you are told that running a business is tough work but do you know how tough? The thing I have come to realize is that, everyone’s experience is going to be different regardless if you are in the same industry. So the advice you get will be important but remember there are factors that you will experience that the other person will never experience. Be ready to be adaptable.

BACK TO THE PAST...

Well, let me take you back to a few years ago when I decided to start my own business. At first it was just meant to meet different opportunities I identified while in high school and university. But the truth is, as I got closer to my 18th my parents made it quite clear that there will be some privileges that I will start to lose. That situation led to: How can I make money? So it started with designing and branding hoodies for my swim team and others in high school and then went on to include learning to bake cupcakes which was a hit. Yes, Baking is now one of my current skills and I am proud to have it.

Anyway, my business evolved to a point that it was registered and I started getting different referrals for my services. One day, I got a great opportunity to work on a big project that would see the company grow to the next level. However, due to the limits of my business, I decided to partner with a family friend on the project because they had the machines and infrastructure to help. Besides, my parents knew them and I guess there was unseen trust. Everything was agreed, we meet the client and the project slowly started.

However, during the course of the project I had to leave the country to participate in a competition outside the country. Yes I know left the project but I had no choice because the opportunity was also one that I would get to represent my country at an international level. Back to the story, the project went well until one day, my partner (family friend); there was an issue with one of the designs that had been created. Well in business this happens and I did explain to the client that we would fix that no problem.

I should mention that we had agreed with my partner before the project that any issues or problems that occur in terms of design, my partner will fix at no cost if the client isn’t satisfied. However, during the project my partner was not willing to continue the work unless we paid money for them to get new materials, a fault not on my end since instructions were specific. It was even more difficult to communicate especially since I was in a different country to compete.

Fortunately, I convinced the client to allow me to return so I can personally oversee the project. In terms of my partner, I decided to just pay for what they requested which meant less profits. There was not much I could do since we had only made a verbal agreement which they denied. Unfortunately, I had learnt that even though some people are close to you; when it comes business and money, make sure to have a contract. It will save you time and money.

If I had a contract in place, none of the delays and issues that happened could have happened. But you learn every day and I took that as a lesson to understand more about contracts and business. Additionally, be careful about working with close family or family. When it is time for business do business and leave the family relations for outside the business. Lastly, sometimes being young in business people try to take advantage of you, so before you head into a partnership or business deal, do your research and ask someone for help. But remember do not feel bad when you make a mistake, admit it and learn to move forward. Clients are human too, try and talk to them instead of ignoring their calls when things go wrong. It’s better to be informed than ignored.

Hope you learnt a thing or two from my story. Feel free to share with someone who needs to hear this!