Do you know that 88% of the millionaires are business owners? Even better, 88% of them are self-made, meaning they did not inherit their money. They started and grew their business from scratch until they achieved millionaire status.
This data is enough to tell you that the surest way to become a millionaire is through entrepreneurship.
With a good strategy, planning, and self-discipline, you can grow your 150k starting capital to millions.
This article will give some business ideas for starting with 150k in Kenya. We are also going to provide you with some tips on how to get started and do budgeting.
Let’s get started.
5 Businesses That You Can Start With 150k in Kenya
- Phone accessories shop
- Cosmetic shop
- Cereal shop
- Parcel delivery business
- Home décor vendor
- Malimali shop
- Hire out seats and tents for events
- Start a daycare
- Packaging and shopping bags distributor
- Chicken butchery
#No. 1: Phone Accessories Shop
Phone accessories shops stock chargers, earphones, USB cables, and covers. These items are affordable to source, so with 150k, you can start and run a shop with various products.
The first step is to familiarize yourself with the most common phone accessories among Kenyans. You can do that by checking the most popular phones and stock accessories that meet the users’ needs.
After doing proper research and coming up with a list of products, the next step is to buy stock. There are phone accessories suppliers in Nairobi Luthuli Avenue. They sell the items wholesale at an affordable cost to retailers.
You also need a shop in a residential area with a huge population. The shop should be strategically located. Make sure that you properly brand the shop to attract customers.
Requirements
- Stock Ksh 80,000
- Rent Ksh 30,000
- Shop Modification Ksh 20,000
- Miscellaneous cost Ksh 10,000
#No. 2: Cosmetic Shop
With careful planning, you can start a small cosmetic shop with 150k. When working with a limited budget like this, you must stock affordable hair accessories, jewelry, makeup, and skincare products.
Start by finding out where to source these products. We have different suppliers and wholesalers of cosmetic products in Dubois Street in Nairobi. If you cannot physically travel to shop for the stock, you can do it online, and the parcel will be sent to you.
When buying your stock, ensure you have a huge variety of products. This is important to give your shoppers options and also increase your profitability.
Look for a shop in your preferred area and do some modifications, like adding shelves and a glass display. Aesthetics is an important factor in the beauty industry, so ensure your shop looks good and has the right branding.
Requirements
- Stock Ksh 70,000
- Rent Ksh 30,000
- Shop modification Ksh 40,000
- Miscellaneous Ksh 10,000
#No. 3: Cereal Shop
A cereal shop is a simple but practical business. All you need is to stock different types of grains in bulk and sell them. To be successful in this business, set it in a residential area with a huge population.
The first step is to source grains in bulk from farmers or wholesalers in Nyamakima Nairobi. You need to buy in bulk to get economies of scale if possible. Another important factor is to stock a variety of grains since most grains are bought together.
Ensure you buy dry grains and learn to store them correctly to avoid mold. Instead of placing them directly on the cold floor, put some pallets underneath the sacks of grains.
You are ready to start with a strategic location and decent stock size.
Requirements
- Variety of grains Ksh 100,000
- Scale Ksh 5,000
- Packaging bags Ksh 5,000
- Rent Ksh 30,000
- Miscellaneous Ksh 10,000
#No. 4: Parcel Delivery Business
With the growth of online businesses, products are needed to be delivered to different parts of the city. This is a profitable business, and all you need is a good mode of transport, such as a motorbike.
You need a good motorbike and a delivery box to start this business. You must also have good riding skills and be familiar with many parts of the city.
All you need is good networking and marketing skills to get customers. Talk to business people and request to do delivery on their behalf. Every time you get a job, ensure you deliver the best service to get repeat customers.
Requirements
- Motorbike Ksh 130,000
- Delivery box Ksh 10,000
- Miscellaneous Ksh 10,000
#No. 5: Home Décor Vendor
A home décor business can be very lucrative in urban areas. The business sells home décor items such as throw pillowcases, table mats, artificial flowers, and other home decorative products.
The first step is to source the products, which you can do by visiting wholesale Chinese sites. Go through the website, find your needed items, and buy. After buying everything, contact your shipping agent, and they will deliver the items to Nairobi.
Once you get your delivery, start aggressive marketing. You can do Facebook-sponsored posts. TikTok is also another important platform for businesses. You can go live and sell your products or create home décor content to help you with marketing.
Requirements
- Buying stock Ksh 90,000
- Shipping cost Ksh 30,000
- Marketing Ksh 10,000
- Logistics 10,000
- Miscellaneous Ksh 10,000
# No. 6: Malimali Shop
A Malimali shop stocks an assortment of household goods. It is the place where you get all types of plastic goods, cookware, and even kids’ toys. Since most of these items are affordable to buy, 150k is enough to give you a fully stocked shop.
The first step is to find a good for a good supplier in Kamukunji Nairobi. There are plenty of shops where you can buy your stock at wholesale prices. Start with some of the most common items used in the house like kitchen cutlery.
Find a shop in an area with high traffic and display some of the items outside. Once people discover your shop, you do not have to do a lot of marketing.
Requirements
- Stock Ksh 80,000
- Logistics Ksh 10,000
- Rental premises Ksh 30,000
- Shop modification Ksh 20,000
- Miscellaneous Ksh 20,000
# No. 7: Hire Out Tents and Seats for Events
If you are looking for a semi-passive income, you can hire tents and chairs for events. Every time there is an event, you rent out the items at a fee. With 150k you can buy a good number of seats and tents for the start.
Every time there is an event, hire out the chairs and tents at a fee. This is a good business if you do not want to physically run the business. All you need is to arrange transportation for the chairs to the premises and back.
However, you need to have good networking and marketing skills. You can advertise your services online through social media.
Requirements
- Chairs Ksh 100,000
- Tents Ksh 50,000
#No. 8: Start a Daycare
A daycare business is a good idea for urban centers. In modern households where both parents go to work and nannies are too expensive to hire, people prefer to take their kids to a daycare facility. Most daycares accept children from six months to four years.
If you have a passion for kids, this is a good business to start. You need to rent space for kids and child-proof it for safety. Keep the house warm and hygienic for the children. You can hire one or two people to help with childcare.
Requirements
- Rental premises Ksh 30,000
- Beddings, carpets, and toys Ksh 70,000
- Staff Ksh 50,000
# N0. 9: Packaging and Shopping Bags Distributer
After the government abolished the use of single-use plastic bags, people are now forced to use alternatives. This is a good opportunity since these bags are needed by sellers to pack their goods and buyers.
All you need to do is to stock a variety of packaging that is commonly used. Make sure that you set shop in a busy location where there is a good flow of businesses and shoppers.
Since you will be selling the bags in bulk, you are going to sell them directly to the business people.
Requirements
- Buying stock Ksh 100,000
- Rental shop Ksh 20,000
- Logitstics Ksh 10,000
- Miscellenous Ksh 10,000
# No. 10: Chicken Butchery
Unlike a normal beef or goat butchery, a chicken butchery is a unique idea. It is easier to start and has less competition. For this kind of butchery, you can stock chicken and chicken products like eggs and sausages.
To start the business, you need to find a reliable supplier to always keep the butchery stocked. Mantain good hygiene since white meat can easily cause food pooisoning with poor handling.
Requirements
- Stock Ksh 40,000
- Weighing scale and other accessories Ksh 10,000
- Deep freezer Ksh 50,000
- Rent Ksh 20,000
- Shop modification 20,000
- Miscleneous Ksh 10,000
Verdict
150k is a fairly good capital to start a business in Kenya. It is enough to start most businesses, but you must stick to a strict budget. To succeed, account for every shilling you use to start and run the business.
If you want more business ideas, read this List of the Best Businesses to Start in Kenya.
Let’s interact in the comment section. Please drop your comments and suggestion.
Good advice 👍