A Small Business that You Can Start With Less than Sh 2,500 Capital
If you lost your income generator one way or another there is no need to panic. Take a step back think things through and figure out what else you can do to put food on your table. One such business is making Jewelry from Beads
Susan Wamuyu, 34
I started bead work in 2014 after I failed to secure employment.
Five years into the business, I do not regret venturing into it because it has paid back my efforts.
I am based in Nyeri town where I train people on bead work as well as interior décor.
On average I make Sh.3,000 per day from necklaces, bracelets, headbands, earrings, key holders and other bead products.
I source materials from Nairobi where I buy in large quantities at cheaper prices.
On interior décor, I decorate liquor bottles which I source from restaurants at Sh.10 each while some clients prefer to bring their own bottles.
This too earns me some income because people now appreciate the African culture and an African touch adds to their houses’ ambiance.
I sell my products in Nyeri, Meru, Nanyuki and Nairobi. Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have helped me expand my business because we get many referrals from online clients.
Word of mouth also works well for us. The work involves a lot of research for new ideas and also to keep up with dynamic fashion world.
My plan is to expand my business so that I can accommodate more trainees.
Self-employment is rewarding and young people should not solely depend on white-collar jobs.
It would also serve as an extra income-generating venture for those who are employed.
Raw Materials
Take advantage of the daylight to source for the beads. One of the places you can find beads include River Road in Nairobi. Identify beads depending on the designs you intend to make. It’s better to have a variety of beads that way you are able to make a variety of jewelry.
Design
Do your research and find out what kind of jewelry is trending. The fashion industry is dynamic and you wouldn’t want to spend hours working on a product that doesn’t sell.
If you are a creative person great if not don’t panic there are fashion magazines and the internet, you don’t have to steal other peoples designs but you can get inspirations from there to work on your own designs.
Cost.
The capital you need here will not be so much because what you need more importantly is the skill and the creativity.
Beads – ksh.1,000
Strings – ksh.400
Small Pliers – ksh.200
Other accessories – Ksh.600
These will make you about 50 Necklaces if you sell each necklace at ksh.300 that is a profit of Ksh.12,800
*Market.*
If there is one thing that stands out since the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic it’s the people’s presence online.
Now more than ever people are online. Use this opportunity to post your product online.
Be consistent in your post giving as much details as possible such as the price the design, mode of payment etc.
Have a plan in place for delivering the jewelry to clients.
*Final Word*
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 and let us know how it goes.
Written By:
Justine Nyachieo
Business Man & Mentor
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