In the heart of Nakuru’s Central Business District, where the vibrant energy of commerce meets the aspirations of dreamers, story stands out as a beacon of hope and determination.
From the humble beginnings of being a greeter in a fashion shop, George Mburu has etched his name into the annals of Nakuru’s entrepreneurial history.
His journey began in a small town where he started volunteering at a fashion shop as a greeter.
“I’m a businessman, I started volunteering at a fashion shop in Nakuru as a greeter where I would welcome customers to the shop, I was employed later and used to earn Ksh50 per day,” he said during an Interview with the Standard Newspaper.
Despite the modest income, George was young, energetic, and full of hope. He believed that every step he took was leading him in the right direction.
Born in Kijabe, George’s family relocated to Nyandarua due to financial difficulties, which forced him to drop out of school during his Form Two years.
“I started selling second-hand clothes but failed to pick, I decided to do menial jobs to make ends meet, one day my uncle who lives in Nakuru visited our home, and as he was leaving, I approached him and agreed to accommodate me at his place,” said Mburu
One day, while wandering through Nakuru, George encountered another young man who was equally skilled at charming customers and making them feel welcome.
Intrigued by the peer’s abilities, George struck up a conversation, expressing his interest in volunteering as a greeter.
To his delight, the shop owner agreed, and the next day, he started his journey as a greeter.
Within just two days, he graduated from volunteering to a paid position, earning a daily wage of Ksh50.
Their strong work ethic and dedication caught their employer’s attention, leading to an interesting turn in their journey.
They were entrusted with hawking clothes in various locations, including salons, estates, and offices.
Their earnings came in the form of commissions, ranging from Ksh15 to Ksh20 for each piece of clothing sold.
This period was marked by relentless efforts, as they sometimes went without lunch, and the customers, touched by their dedication, would offer them shoes as their own attire had worn out.
George’s elder brother, who worked for a company in Nakuru, was inspired by his younger brother’s determination.
This inspiration prompted him to resign from his job and venture into the fashion business.
In the world of hawking clothes, George managed to earn up to Ksh80 in commissions, a sum that further fueled his determination to work harder and earn more.
The turning point in their business venture occurred when they noticed a growing demand for skirts among their customers.
Recognizing an opportunity, they decided to purchase skirts at Ksh80 and sell them for Ksh150.
They started with just four skirts but soon realized the potential and began to expand their stock.
To accommodate the demand, they even decided to sell the skirts after 5 pm, which was an innovative approach.
However, their employer soon caught them selling skirts that were not part of his stock, and he demanded that they return his inventory.
George and his partner realized that they needed to make amends, and they struck a deal with their employer. T
hey agreed to refer clients to his shop if they sought a wider range of clothing.
Their business approach shifted from selling clothes within a shop to displaying them openly, which attracted female customers who were more than willing to buy skirts for Ksh150.
This innovative approach led to sellouts by the end of each day.
As their business grew, they identified a niche and saw an opportunity in traveling to Nairobi’s Gikomba market to source clothing for sale in Nakuru.
With just Ksh900, they acquired skirts that cost Sh40 per piece and allocated Ksh100 for bus fare to save on costs.
At first, they purchased 20 skirts, splitting them between themselves. However, the stock was depleted within just two days, fueling their desire to restock and expand their operations.
As time went by, George and his partner decided to take the next step and rent their own shops. George learned the ropes of the business, expanding his knowledge and growing his enterprise.
His business savvy was complemented by his honesty and rapport with customers, which continued to be his strong suit.
Although George initially had limited knowledge of banking and saving, his dedication and hard work paid off. He eventually learned how to manage his finances and shared this knowledge with his brother, who was also involved in the fashion industry. His brother, however, eventually left the business to pursue a career in farming.
Today, George Mburu employs five people in his shop and has ambitious plans for the future.
He aspires to establish a shoe wholesale shop within a year and open a separate clothing store.
He emphasizes that anyone can start a business and succeed with any amount of capital, as long as they are disciplined and dedicated to their goals.
In the era of digital marketing, George has embraced platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to promote his business. Many of his customers are referrals, and walk-ins, and on a good day, he can earn up to Sh15,000.
