Is Starting A Video Game Parlor A Good Business Idea Nowadays?
Gaming is fast becoming a popular pass-time activity in Kenya; and since most people cannot afford to buy and maintain private gaming consoles at home then you can capitalize on this opportunity to launch a great business.
One good thing about setting up a gaming lounge is that you don’t need to a lot of pre-training to get the wheels of the business rolling.
A strategic location and ability to keep up with trends are the two most important qualities required in order to conquer the market.
Your choice of location can either make or break your business. Previously, a location in the Nairobi CBD would have been highly recommended but nowadays there are too many outlets there and competition is cut-throat. Consider looking for a cheaper location, preferably near a college/university.
Gabriel Waweru recently finished a degree in Business Information Technology at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Juja.
Unlike most students awaiting graduation, he is busy at the Nuru Shopping Complex, a few metres from the institution’s main gate, where he runs a gaming business. The complex, popularly known as “containers” is where most university students come to pass time.
The gaming culture has created a booming business niche here. There are about 15 gaming shops at the complex, Waweru’s shop among them.
His shop has eight gaming consoles, with different video games available for play. Popular games include FIFA, Call of Duty, NBA, Grand Theft Auto and Need For Speed. Most of his customers are students who not only play during the day, but also hire the consoles and screens at night, especially during weekends.
“The cost of running this business is about Sh.3,000 every week. With the eight consoles, I make at least Sh.6,000 on a good day. The returns cover rent and electricity quite well.”
When the business is low, the gaming shops organize gaming competitions with a cash prize to attract more customers.
Fadhil Manyasi, 20, frequently signs up for such tournaments. A Geo Informatics student at the Technical University of Kenya, Fadhil has participated in many tournaments.
“In December, I participated in the Kings Gamers Cup at home in Webuye where I won Sh.4,000. I have many friends in Juja courtesy of gaming tournaments. Gaming is a form of entertainment, but I hope to go pro one day,” he said.
A few metres from the containers is Kutana Gaming Café, the largest gaming lounge in Juja. Evans Mwiti, the sole proprietor, has been in the gaming business for five years now.
He started with two gaming consoles and two screens back in 2017. Today, the business has 32 high definition screens and gaming consoles, with five being the latest models of PlayStation.
Mwiti attributes the growth of his business to the student population in and around Juja. While the cost of setting up the business is huge, Mwiti says the returns are lucrative.
“The entire structure cost about Sh.700,000 to set up. On a good day, I can make up to Sh.20,000. Such peak times include the first month of the semester or when a new version of a popular game enters the market. For example, when FIFA is transitioning after a year.”
He hopes to put up a large scale gaming and entertainment centre that will incorporate different games such as board games, bowling alleys, pool tables and PlayStations, all under one roof.
*Final Word*
The main advantage of starting this business is that you can start small and grow big in a short period so long as you are prepared to sacrifice for some time. You can even expand your business to further accommodate things like: movie shop, DJ classes & lessons, event management, audio and video production and so forth.
As we always tell you, there’s no marathon race that has ever been won by those who did not start the race. If you like the idea discussed above and you have what it takes to actualize it…then don’t wait to start…just do it.
Also, don`t forget to join our training on Money Agency Business.
Mobile and bank deposits and withdrawals have become part of day to day life of almost every Kenyan.
People are always depositing money into their M-PESA, Airtel Money, Telkom Kash, Equity bank, Co-operative bank, and KCB accounts, among other mobile and bank wallets.
In equal measure, others are always withdrawing money they just received into those accounts.
Does that in any way sound as if mobile and bank money deposits and withdrawals are vanishing anytime soon?
Definitely not!
The interesting bit of it all is that those money deposits and withdrawals are done via Mobile Money and Banking agencies who carry out such transactions every day.
An agent comes in the gap to provide the medium for depositing and withdrawing money and in return, they earn commissions for both services.
Now that you know that an agent will earn commissions to mediate deposits and withdrawals concerning Mobile and Bank Money, can’t you be that agent and tap in on those awesome commissions on the Mobile Money and Banking Agency business?
Interestingly, the mobile and banking agency business is one of the most profitable businesses in Kenya if it’s set up along a busy street or a strategic corner where people are always passing by and can clearly see from far.
If you merge being a mobile money agent with being a Bank Agent of one or several banks, you are indeed in a lucrative business and you can make over Ksh.100,000 per month.
By
Timothy Angwenyi
Business Consultant
Justine Nyachieo
Business Man & Mentor
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