Kakamega: Starting a stall business requires careful planning, a strong understanding of one's market, and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. It is perhaps for this reason that a mechanical engineering student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has invented a unique collapsible structure that vendors can use to display their groceries.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kaguru Njoroge Muchina, the pioneer of the Flexi stalls, explains that they are made of wood for support and partitioning, as well as metal for grills that hold the goods. Muchina observes, "Compared to other grocery kiosks, Flexi stalls are more hygienic, presentable structures and are portable, thus efficient and reliable for mobile vendors."
The pricing of the stalls ranges from Sh1500 to Sh3500 for the small and big ones, respectively. Muchina shares that he started this business with a capital of Sh100,000, which he acquired from a seed fund in his former school through a program known as Aspire, which helped him begin the business. He says this is a vision-driven initiative and looks forward to achieving more when he is financially stable to depend on himself after his studies.
Muchina doesn't have employees and works with fellow students who volunteer to help him during their free time. He explains that it began as a project back in school and is now becoming a business after consultation with the respective authority. Despite challenges associated with introducing a new product, he notes that customer response is positive and promising.
Muchina has developed ways to attract and maintain customers by offering affordable rental options for those who can't afford to buy the stalls outright. He also provides delivery and pickup services for the stalls. However, transportation remains a challenge due to the stalls' weight.
In terms of marketing, Muchina uses printed photographs of the stalls to advertise and promote his business. Nonetheless, he acknowledges the limitations of this approach, as potential customers prefer to see and understand the real structure in action rather than just through images.
Muchina also faces issues such as lack of electricity, inadequate funds, and limited manpower, compounded by the high cost of raw materials and his commitments as a student. Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic and continues to focus primarily on his studies, attending to the business when not occupied with schoolwork.
Looking ahead, Muchina is determined to establish and expand his business. He believes that with perseverance, everything will eventually fall into place, leading to a successful venture.