When Anthony Kahinga enrolled at the University of Nairobi to pursue a degree in Chemistry, little did he know that his true entrepreneurial spirit would lead him down a different path.
Realizing his passion for business and the desire to generate income outside the realm of formal education, Kahinga made the bold decision to quit university.
However, this choice did not come without its fair share of challenges.
It took numerous heartfelt conversations and persistent efforts to convince his initially reluctant parents to support his unconventional path.
After engaging in deliberate conversations with his initially reluctant parents, he ultimately chose to leave the university.
Alongside a friend, he embarked on a side-hustle with the aim of generating extra income.
Little did he know that this endeavor would eventually blossom into a thriving venture worth over Ksh10 million.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Birth of His Entreprenual Journey
During his pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Nairobi, Kahinga found himself caught in a formidable struggle driven by his unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, eventually leading him to make the bold decision of departing from campus life and fully immersing himself in the world of business.
Although his parents had diligently supported his education, Kahinga faced a daunting choice: either persist with his studies or relinquish them in favor of pursuing his entrepreneurial aspirations.
“But since my parents were paying for my school fees, I had a tough decision to make between carrying on with school, or dropping out altogether to focus on my passion.” Kihinga said during an interview with Business daily.
After extensive deliberation and persuasive efforts, Kahinga successfully secured his parents’ backing, under the condition that he would resume his academic journey once his business thrived.
While managing their accessories shop, Kahinga and his friend astutely identified a market void: the absence of post-purchase assistance for the devices they offered.
As customers sought their guidance regarding device functionality, an illuminating realization dawned upon them – the potential for a metamorphosis from a mere accessories outlet to a full-fledged repair shop.
Yet, they were acutely aware of the formidable challenge they faced – combatting the prevailing skepticism towards repair technicians, tainted by notions of distrust.
Building Trust
To differentiate themselves from the negative stereotype, WeFixTech invested heavily in building trust among their clientele.
They focused on professionalizing the repair industry, prioritizing transparency and quality service.
Their commitment to professionalism paid off as they successfully repaired thousands of devices, gaining a loyal customer base.
Initially targeting individual customers, WeFixTech witnessed a significant shift in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SMEs, corporate organizations, schools, and NGOs sought their fast and affordable services.
From assisting professionals with urgent presentations to offering data recovery and electronic waste disposal solutions, WeFixTech expanded its services to meet the diverse needs of its growing clientele.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite their success, WeFixTech faces challenges sourcing repair parts locally, resulting in longer repair times.
They also encounter skepticism from in-house IT personnel who perceive them as a threat.
However, the company remained focused on debunking these misconceptions and expanding its reach.
As of 2021, WeFixTech had opened another outlet in Mombasa, creating job opportunities for young people.
