How a Kenyan university student turned a passion into a business — and now makes Ksh10,000 a day
The business is popular at campuses that have few recreational facilities
The computer science student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) turned his passion for physical wellness into a business where he rents out bicycles at a small cost.
“Sometime in September 2016, I rented a bike from him, and as I was riding within the school compound, it occurred to me that I could start a similar business and make money," he told the Nation.
His company, Breton Bikes, rents out bicycles to various university students and charges between Sh50 to Sh100 per hour depending on the bike rented.
Murungi invested Sh250,000 that he had saved from a previous jewelry business which he used to purchase about 10 mountain bikes.
He used the remaining Sh150,000 to cover expenses such as transporting the bikes to his place of business as well as rent for a couple of months.
Security
The business service is more popular at Moi and Daystar campuses which have few recreational facilities.
The learners leave their student IDs as a form of security, which are then returned to them once they hand over the bikes.
His business has picked up quite fast as he now owns 60 bikes.
Murungi told The Standard that on average he makes Ksh10,000 per day. Even then, a portion of the money is ploughed back into the business so as to purchase higher quality bikes.
The Breton Bikes team is made up of several students from different campuses who handle different roles including marketing the business on social media platforms and repairing the bikes.
High maintenance
Still, it hasn't been smooth sailing for the JKUAT student who encounters a few challenges such as weather and the high maintenance cost of the bikes.
“During the rainy season, students rent fewer bikes, which means slow business. Also, the repair cost is quite high because we source spare parts from third parties. Sometimes, students insist on paying less than we are asking for.”
Murungi plans to partner with towns across the country to start bike championships.
On what he has learnt in his short entrepreneurship journey, he said: "All you need to make a steady step ahead is to strongly believe in yourself."
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