Nairobi, Kenya: After working for 15 years as a technician in Nairobi’s industrial area, Simeon Mbindyo, 47, decided to establish a business. Thus since 1999, he has been selling second-hand items on Outer Ring Road in Nairobi.
“I realised that most households in the city depended on second-hand items. Personally, I use them as well. This is what informed and inspired me. To start, I put all my savings into the new venture. I was determined to succeed."
First, he began with basic household utensils.
“This is where we all start in our homes. Most people start with cheap items as they plan for the future,” he said.
But after mastering the trade and realising a good profit, he ventured into furniture selling.
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He was, however, keen not to deviate from selling stock for households.
“Although there were indications that the economy was expanding, not all Kenyans were seeing their incomes rising. There was no way I was going to lose my niche. I still needed to stick to my initial plan of dealing in household items."
In the years he has been by the roadside, he has been able to feed, clothe, house and educate his three children.
Two of his children are now university graduates.
This is what gives him pride and satisfaction.
"What would have happened to me if I had remained in my unfulfilling job at the factory? Could I have provided my family with satisfaction the way I have done? Today, I can easily say I have achieved results thanks to this simple business," he confided.
According to him, his children may decide to support him after decades of investing in them.
But even if they do not come to his immediate aid soon, he has his business to hang on to.
"This business is my life. It will be hard to leave it and stay at home waiting for my children to take care of me." As long he has the energy, he says, he will be at his usual spot doing what he has done for years with a smile on his face.
