03/01/2024
Juzi, I took some time to look at some memories on Google Photos, and they brought back some very good recollections.
I have mentioned a thing or two in the photos about my journey. But how did I get to grow?
I'll speak to someone who has been looking to start a business or venture or even get employed.
One of the biggest hindrances for people starting a business, they say is MONEY! Well, I say IT IS NOT! You feel stuck because you think you need a lot of money!
Finances are important, Yes! But the fixation in your mind that you need big amounts to get started, is why you haven't started yet!
Let me take you slow!
You've just finished high school/Uni, you are either looking for employment or you have an idea you'd want to actualize.
Business
For business, you are either in service or product or both. If you are in service, you need skills and resources.
For skills, you've either gone to school to learn or YouTube University. Which means you have learned a thing or two and are improving your skills. This you do daily. You can't learn enough, becoming great in your craft is gradual growth. By this time, you have skills but have no idea how to monetize them.
I'll use two career examples.
1. You want to start a cleaning company
2. You want to start Digital services ie Digital Marketing, Article writing, Graphic Design, and Virtual Assistant.
These two examples require different things in terms of resources.
CLEANING COMPANY
- Cleaning Agents
- Machines (Vacuum, etc)
DIGITAL SERVICES
- Computer/phone
- Internet/Data Bundles
Realistically, for the cleaner, you do not have the money to buy the machines. But, you have the skills. So you are stuck because you think you need KES. 200,000 to get started. You never start. You bury the dream.
SO HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
1. Since you do not have the resources, you only need two people to get started; Your first client and someone whom you can get resources from. How do you land on both? For you to get your first client, they need to have heard about you or seen you, true?
Let's get started with what you have, A phone, WhatsApp, and your Facebook account.
On the platforms, you either have a Whatsapp group of your apartment or estate. Or your Facebook account with 2000+ friends or followers. This is a good audience to get you your first client, someone is looking for a cleaner and they feel they can trust you. You need to make posts consistently to at least win your first client.
The posts should consistently speak about your skills and expertise. Speak about it daily, a good audience will enquire. Post pictures of before and after, and post pictures of the process.
Assume the audience is 3000+ people, you only need 1% to trust you.
1% of 3000 = 30 people
Out of the 30 people you close 5 of them
Each client pays
Cleaning the house - Kes. 600 (depending on size)
Laundry - Kes. 700 (depends on household)
Utensil - Kes. 300 (may vary)
That will get you KES. 1,600 for a household. No costs involved, just your time and energy.
5 clients x 1,600 = KES. 8,000
Assume 3 of those clients are weekly.
3 clients x 1,600 = 4800
4800/week
4800 x 4 = 19,200
This may vary from month to month.
Calculations are done purely on assumption.
2. Since you have achieved your first client, you can now upsell to them, you can offer vacuuming, carpet cleaning, organizing, etc. Here comes your second person, someone who has the machines you need, a Washing machine, a Vacuum machine. Since you already have a clientele, you are sure they could pay for the service. On your service charge include costs for hiring the machines you need.
3. To achieve professionalism, get to a free platform that could create a logo, and get an overall and apron branded. This will build your brand perception faster than you can imagine. Please note, you do not need this while you are starting. At T.K branding - KE the branded items could cost you less than KES. 2,800 Which is a one-time cost. 😊
As you work upward, you'll need to build meaningful relationships. With time you may need to outsource for labour, and you've created employment. 💯
Resources Used so far
1. Social Platform
2. Airtime
3. Transport
4. Time and energy.
Skills and attributes needed
1. Cleaning
2. Communication
3. Honesty & integrity (Cleaning people's homes is sensitive.)
OUTCOME
1. 3 Return Clients
2. Improved Portfolio
3. Sustainable income.
4. Created Employment.
Haya, 2nd person. DIGITAL SERVICES, this is the category I fall under. This requires you to put twice the effort💯
You are a digital creator, you have skills in Graphic Design and Social media. Your first thought is you need a client to pay you KES. 100,000 😂 Ooolisikia wapi? You can't get to the 100k client if you haven't started from somewhere. I had Digital marketing skills when I started, most inquiries were from people who needed a digital marketer with Graphic design skills. I had to learn design! With a background in arts and communications, my design career at YouTube University was so easy but needed me to put in a lot of effort.
SO HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
1. Build Portfolio - You have a machine, a computer, or a laptop. You have the internet and you have the skills. Let's build a portfolio first. You can't sell your work if we can't see what you can do.
This is how I got started. I created imaginary companies and I went on to brand the companies both offline and online. Build an imaginary brand so good that it gets you your first client. By the time I was getting my very first inquiry, I had built a believable portfolio for my design and social media work.
2. Donkey work - Since I had not built a name, I had to go hard on sending out proposals and a lot of partnerships(freebies or exposure) 😁 My design work wasn't as good as I was starting, but with time I learned the rules of design and my creative mind did the rest.
3. Look, Feel, Sound Professional - You can't skip this part. If you have not grown or established your portfolio on a freelancing site, then you need to establish a footing away from the freelance sites. That is, you need to make sure that people(potential clientele) know what you do, and know what kind of work you produce.
Surprisingly, for our work, once you get your first client and you do a good job, referrals work magic! Like, you'll get a pool of clients henceforth. But this also needs you to have an outgoing personality, be trustworthy, and DELIVER!
In this field, you only need to build an impression.
To the maths, as a beginner
You close your first return client. This client only needs a poster a week. Charge KES. 1,500
1,500 x 4 = 6,000
This client could be struggling with managing their social media. Upsell the service to 20,000/month. Social media requires you to do a bit more for the client. You've moved from 6,000 to 20,000 for one client.
For design only, you could get at least 6 more jobs from other clients.
1,500 x 6 = 9,000
For consistent jobs, you need to push some more.
But now, you have an income of 29,000/ month, give or take.
These rates vary from person to person. Personally, my rates are different and slightly higher.
Resources used
1. Internet/ Data Bundle - 3000/month
2. Time and Energy
3. Skills
Skills and attributes needed
1. Creative
2. Communication
3. You can keep deadlines
4. Integrity and Honesty
OUTCOME
1. 3 Return Clients
2. Improved Portfolio
3. Sustainable income.
The only thing about this is that you have to Work Extra and do a lot of shadow work, which most people get tired of. 😬
In conclusion, embarking on a new venture can be both thrilling and challenging, but the journey is not as insurmountable as it may seem. The key lies in recognizing and leveraging the resources at your disposal, rather than fixating on financial constraints.
Whether you're considering a cleaning business or diving into the realm of digital services, the path forward involves strategic steps. Start small, capitalize on your existing skills, and harness the power of your social network. Remember, the first client is often the most crucial step, and from there, your focus should shift to delivering exceptional service.
Building a strong portfolio, whether for cleaning services or digital creations, is paramount. Showcase your capabilities through imaginative projects and let your work speak for itself. Uphold professionalism, integrity, and effective communication, as these traits will set you apart in any field.
Don't shy away from upselling additional services to existing clients and consistently seek opportunities to expand your offerings. Relationships matter; they can turn a one-time transaction into a lasting partnership. As you navigate the journey of entrepreneurship, remember that building a sustainable income requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.
So, to those standing at the threshold of a new endeavor, the key takeaway is clear: Start now, start small, and start with what you have. The journey to success is a series of deliberate steps, and each accomplishment, no matter how modest, contributes to the greater tapestry of your entrepreneurial story. Seize the opportunities within your reach, cultivate meaningful connections, and let your passion drive your progress.
Your journey begins with that first step—take it, and let the adventure unfold.
