Kenyan Woman Recalls Starting Cleaning Business With KSh 10k, Now Thriving

 

Phanic Kwamboka started her cleaning business as a side hustle with KSh 10,000 and is now thriving. Phanice Kwamboka at work. She is the founder of Malvo Cleaning Services.Why Phanice Kwamboka resigned How Malvo Cleaning Service bagged a big contract How mobile money came in handy How another woman makes millions from cleaning + View more Why Phanice Kwamboka resigned Kwamboka worked at a flower farm at the time in 2019 and had to juggle both jobs. After running the side hustle for a few months, she resigned to focus on the business.  The founder of Malvo Cleaning Services, which serves homes and offices in Nairobi and other towns, recalled how she initially struggled to attract clients and took two years to break even. "It took two years before I could completely and confidently say the business was self-sustaining. The major challenge was convincing potential clients about my services and gaining their trust to work in their offices and households," Daily Nation quoted her. Bizna Kenya reported that Kwamboka also faced another challenge in pricing her services and, at one point, had to dig deeper into her pockets to pay workers after she undercharged. She returned to the drawing board and devised reasonable rates to keep the business afloat. How Malvo Cleaning Service bagged a big contract Kwamboka revealed that she got referrals as her client base grew and secured a big contract in a private hospital.  She attributed it to a client who was satisfied with her work. "This was one of my biggest contracts, and it taught me why putting your customers first and ensuring you give them the best services from the get-go are important," she said. How mobile money came in handy With many Kenyans embracing cashless payments, Kwamboka noted mobile money has been a boon for her business. She has a till number interlinked with a mobile banking app, making deposits and withdrawals easier. To ensure she does not mismanage her company's money, she set aside her salary, funds for investment and maintains a personal budget to keep the cash flow smooth. "I used to re-invest every amount I made back into the business until I learned I needed to view myself as an employee who needed a salary," she expounded. Kwamboka noted that entrepreneurship is more satisfying than employment as it gives her time to bond with her family.  How another woman makes millions from cleaning In related news, an American woman shared her story on TikTok about how much she makes from her cleaning business. The 23-year-old lady said it requires dedication and hard work to start such a business, encouraging people they can. The beautiful woman said she works for five companies in the US, cleaning offices per day and earning $250 (about KSh 35,500) per day. She revealed she has also employed 20 people as cleaners, each giving her $1000 (KSh 142,000) daily. 

by  Japhet Ruto