Vivian
Nakuru, Kenya
66% repaid
Name
Vivian
Member since
January 2015
On-time repayments
55 installments • 67%
I am the fifth born in a family of eight children, my both parents are still alive. They live in the rural area of Baringo. I started school when I was 3 years of age. My parents I was one of their sharpest kids in the family and that is why I attended school as early as 3 years. I finished my primary school and secondary school where I attained certificates upon their completion. After which I went to college to study beauty where I attained a higher diploma certificate.
It was when I was in college when the college principal asked us to pay $20 each student to travel to Mombasa, the coastal region of Kenya for a tour, which is very rare to go unless someone has money in plenty. I did not have even a single cent in my pocket and we were first years in the college. It was two days before the journey and I had not even raised a single cent to pay for it. My colleagues went to salon to braid their hair. Fortunately, five of my friends whom we loved each other so much felt for me but they couldn't help because they did not have money too, but they had money to braid their hair. Since I was good at it,I braided their hair and they paid me $4 each. I got exactly $20 which I paid for the tour to Mombasa. This is how I came to start my small business of beauty as a salon attendant; braiding hair and get paid. I learnt to manage myself financially and raise money for small expenses instead of bothering my parents who happened to cater for my siblings.
In my culture, women go the forest to collect firewood. This happens regularly. Surprisingly, when women are pregnant and about to deliver, men go to collect firewood in the forest which is considered by other cultures or neighboring communities as weird and awkward, but this is unique and awesome to my culture.
I do offer beauty services in the salon by braiding hair for ladies and different makeups. I do braid hair styles such as 'havana twists, mini braids, cornrows, janet braids and french braids among other styles'.
Beauty is an obligation to everyone especially women. This is what makes beauty services which is my business to be on high demand. Each of them want to look awesome, beautiful and attractive. They consider this as an obligation. This is the reason why I do offer beauty services. I chose this business because I am trained to do it and more so, it is my talent. I loved doing this since I was young and that is the reason I went to study for it and I love doing it to generate income for myself and my family.
Generally, in a month I generate an approximate of $90 and when I deduct my expenses of $45, I remain with a profit of $45. I use this money to re-invest in the business and cater for my siblings school fees at home, trying to help my parents in educating others because they struggled a lot for me. I also use the money to pay rent, food and transport.
I will buy 90 pieces of hair weaves that cost $60, I will buy a blow dry machine that will cost $30, and I will use the remaining $10 to purchase hair treatment 20 pieces.
When a customer visit my beauty shop, I will use two hair weaves to braid hair. I will use hair treatment to soften the hair before braiding. Considering the hair weaves, hair treatment, and labour, every customer pays me approximate of $5. In total I will accrue a total of $225. Including the blow dry I will make a total of $250. I will deduct my expenses of $100.
I will use my income to repay my loan on weekly basis. I will use the remaining income to pay for rent, licence for my beauty shop, pay school fees for my siblings and cater for food and clothing.
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Neutral
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Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$100.00
Date disbursed
Feb 4, 2015
Repayment status
Late
Projected term
12 months
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