By Prudence Minayo
The allure of white collar jobs and the stability that comes with it has been diminishing among a section of Kenyans. More people are looking for ways to earn a living and be their own bosses. This was the case with Stephen Kinyua who left his job as a teacher to sell watermelons. He realized that as a teacher he wasn’t earning as much as he wanted. Hence, after identifying an opportunity, he grabbed it and did not look back.
This is his story as told by WoK.
Watermelon Business
When Chuka University opened up in Tharaka Nithi, it gave entrepreneurs a source of income. With students and teachers streaming in, it was obvious that businesses were only going to boom.
Kinyua noticed that while businesspeople around the area sold fruits, like paw paw, mangoes and passion; watermelons and apples were nowhere to be seen. Hence, he decided to start selling watermelons in Chuka, both within town and in the outskirts, Ndagani.
Since watermelons had to be sourced outside the county, he took a loan from a Sacco and bought a truck and began the business. He told The Star that Saccos were very beneficial since they offered loans with low interest rates and offered sufficient repayment period. They also understand their clients and allow for late repayment.
He sources his watermelons from different parts around the country including: Baringo, Lamu, Garissa and the Rift Valley Region. Since venturing into the business, he has been able to pool a huge clientele and has never regretted the last ten years in the watermelon business. Even after the pandemic hit and business became hard, he did not regret his decision. After all, he had managed to save during the hay days.
The business has enabled him build a house, provide for his family and purchase land to grow watermelons.
Challenges
While the entrepreneur has been successful, he has faced a number of challenges. The prices of buying large quantities of the fruits are high and at times he gets low quality watermelons, which haven’t matured. There is also the challenge of fluctuating markets. The demand for the fruits is not always the same.
Then, inflation hit hard in mid 2022. The prices of transportation doubled from Sh40,000 to 80,000.
Despite the challenges, he is glad he took the risk. He advised youths not to be afraid of taking risks
“No risk, no gain,” he told The Star.
The businessman is confident that the harsh economic times will be resolved by the new government.