In the bustling city of Nairobi, where both commercial and domestic tenants frequently relocate in search of the perfect location for their homes or businesses, one man saw an opportunity.
In 2014, Fredrick Magadi embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that led to the establishment of Proteam, one of the most sought-after moving startups.
Proteam specializes in relocating households, offices, machinery, containers, and various other products within the city and its outskirts.
His journey was marked by a series of remarkable achievements, from winning the title of ‘Most Promising Relocation Company’ in 2020 to becoming the ‘Most Preferred Moving and Relocation Service Provider’ in 2021, the ‘Fastest Growing Professional Movers Company’ in 2022, and ultimately, the ‘Best Moving and Relocation Service Provider’ in 2023.
While there were already numerous moving companies operating in the market, Magadi was driven by a strong belief that Proteam could offer superior services and establish a unique niche for itself.
He asserts that Proteam, the foremost moving service in Nairobi, offers exceptional services at competitive rates.
For a one-bedroom house, approximately 15 cubic meters in volume, the charges range from Ksh 15,000 to Ksh 18,000.
”If you are relocating from a two-bedroom house, approximately 25 cubic meters in size, the rates fluctuate from Ksh 15,000 to Ksh 20,000. Larger households, such as a three-bedroom residence with an approximate volume of 30 cubic meters, incur charges between Ksh 25,000 and Ksh 35,000.” Said Fredrick Magadi
His unwavering commitment to handling customers’ belongings with utmost care and ensuring safe delivery to their desired destinations became the cornerstone of Proteam’s success.
Magadi’s path to entrepreneurship was not a direct one.
He had initially contemplated various business ventures and was uncertain about which field to pursue.
It was at the suggestion of a friend that he decided to enter the moving business, which he soon realized was brimming with untapped opportunities.
Before launching Proteam, Magadi dabbled in other entrepreneurial pursuits, including ventures in mobile payment solutions (M-Pesa) and wines and spirits shops.
However, it was his decision to enter the world of moving and logistics that truly set him on a path to success.
Breaking away from the safety of his accounting job in several institutions in Nairobi, such as Matter Hospital, Nairobi Women’s Hospital, and the Aga Khan University, was a bold step.
Magadi, an alumnus of Strathmore University, had to quit his stable job to fully commit to his entrepreneurial endeavor.
Looking back, he asserts that he has no regrets about making that pivotal decision.
“I always admired becoming an engineer while growing as a high school student. I never imagined joining business or studying business. However, after entering into business, I can confidently say that it’s a fulfilling venture,” he says.
Magadi faced a common challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs: limited capital. To overcome this obstacle, he partnered with another individual to pool their resources.
Their initial capital was primarily allocated for administrative purposes, and they decided to lease vehicles as needed to minimize startup costs.
One key turning point in Proteam’s early journey was a partnership with OLX, a company that believed in their potential when others hesitated to partner with the fledgling business.
Over the years, Proteam has grown to hold its own in the highly competitive moving and logistics market.
The company now collaborates with both local and international corporations, expanding its reach and influence in the industry.
What sets Proteam apart is its unwavering commitment to efficiency.
Each customer inquiry is systematically integrated into their management systems, categorized based on specific requirements, and handled by dedicated personnel.
This level of attention to detail ensures that Proteam consistently meets the expectations of its customers.
Proteam now boasts a team of more than 35 dedicated employees, with five on permanent contracts.
The company’s impressive growth and dedication to customer service have not gone unnoticed, as Proteam won for the “Real Estate Excellence Awards” in the “Most Promising Relocation” category.
