Transitioning from the security of long-term employment to the uncertainty of self-employment can be a daunting leap.
However, for John Njoroge, this transition represented an opportunity to take control of his financial destiny and chart a path toward personal growth and independence.
In this article, WoK we’ll explore John Njoroge’s journey as he made the switch from being an employee at a logistics company to becoming an entrepreneur in the competitive world of taxi business.
For eight years, John Njoroge worked diligently for a logistics company based on the picturesque coast.
However, despite his loyalty and dedication, he began to feel that employment was no longer serving his financial goals.
The issue wasn’t the hard work or commitment, but rather the limitations of the traditional employment structure.
Stagnant remuneration and deductions, including taxes, chipped away at his take-home pay with each passing payday.
The decision to break free from the constraints of employment was not taken lightly by John Njoroge.
But, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention.
John realized that to progress financially and personally, he needed to take a different path. It was time to become his boss.
With funds raised from various sources, the first step on this journey involved visiting an Indian shop to put down a deposit for a car.
”After raising funds from other sources, I went to an Indian shop, paid a deposit for a car and began taxi business.” Njoroge recalls.
The vehicle was to become his ticket to the world of taxi business, and it symbolized the start of a new chapter in his life.
The decision to embrace self-employment was driven by a desire for financial freedom and the prospect of greater opportunities.
The journey into the world of taxi business wasn’t without its challenges for John Njoroge. The industry was already fiercely competitive, with an influx of cabs operating under different platforms.
Success in this field depended on one’s ability to strategically position themselves.
By signing up with multiple taxi-hailing mobile applications, John ensured that he cast a wider net and increased his chances of securing passengers.
However, as is often the case with self-employment, external factors could have a significant impact.
A prime example was the government’s decision to move the handling of containers to the Nairobi inland container depot after the completion of the Mombasa-Nairobi leg of the Standard Gauge Railway.
This shift had a ripple effect, rendering many who relied on container-related transportation jobless.
Another aspect of self-employment highlighted in this journey is the financial commitment.
Njoroge acquired the vehicle through a hire purchase installment plan, meaning that a specific monthly amount had to be met to avoid any breaches of the agreement terms.
This financial responsibility added a layer of complexity to the venture, emphasizing the importance of careful financial management.
The income from taxi business, like many entrepreneurial endeavors, was variable.
Njoroge asserts that demand experiences fluctuations influenced by factors like the time of day, day of the week, and holiday periods.
Weekends and holiday seasons, in particular, have the potential to yield significant earnings, with the possibility of reaching up to Sh10,000 on peak days.
”On ordinary days, after the app owners deduct their 15 per cent, I make from Sh5, 000 on a good day and from as low as Sh1, 000 when demand for services are lower.” Njoroge adds.
