I sell smokies in Ruiru and have been in this business for two years. I began by investing Sh150 to buy smokies, which could only buy half a pack at the time, and building up as the business prospered.
Before trying my hand in this business, I was a singer and dancer, and still I’m, and go by the stage name Lusher Paulo and also happen to be a part of the ‘official Gloria Muliro dancers’. Apart from this, I am a dance instructor.
Venturing into the smokies business called for tack in netting customers as I was getting into a crowded field. And one of the ways was to dress different - a suit, rather than an apron and a chef’s cap, was my choice.
It was at first hard for many to come to terms with how a man dressed for the office was doing a ‘low life’ job like selling smokies. But eventually, many, out of curiosity, came to identify with my work and ended up as customers in the process.
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As weird as my dressing mode may seem, it too poses a challenge as there are many who mistake me for a white collar job worker who only ventures into the streets after office hours to try my hand in a side hustle.
When the business is doing well, I make Sh3,000 but the amount can dip to the low of Sh700 on slow days. In parting, the stereotyping of some works as fit for a certain class of people is what has made many a jobless young people.