A Kenyan woman running an Airbnb has revealed how being extra in the business left her making losses.
In a post on X, Yvonne Kagondu said other than the necessities like tissue and soap, she would provide cooking items like flour, rice, sugar, coffee, tea, and cocoa.
She also had a first aid kit, diapers, sanitary towels for emergencies, Vaseline, bathing flannels, chargers, and some crisps in a bowl on arrival, Maasai shuka, amongst other things. She would also try to meet her clients to make sure they are comfortable.
Kagondu said she was trying to make sure her clients had a memorable experience, enough to make them come back.
Sadly for Kagondu, the clients took advantage of kindness with some stealing the items or delaying payment.
“I rarely had return clients, despite my efforts within 1 month, the Maasai shuka was gone, within 2 months, the diapers, first aid kit, and foodstuff were all gone, yet I had hoped they could serve many people,”
“Buying all these items made me start running on losses, some clients started taking advantage of my kindness and would delay payments, one ran away with my money insulted me and reported my Airbnb account,” Kagondu said.
The Airbnb host said these days it’s just business for her not being extra as learnt a lesson.
WoK recently covered the story of Amanda Kimani who founded Luxe Living, a company that has 37 airbnbs under its umbrella. It also offers consultancy and marketing of various spaces.
Amanda’s venture has had a fair share of challenges. She says that there are clients who book rooms and then end up cancelling which locks out potential customers. Additionally, some people may fail to pay for services rendered.
