Sacks of maize and beans for my cereals shop

Entrepreneur

About Me

I am a single mother, aged 42 years. I am the sole breadwinner of my family of one son, who finished high school last year and is waiting for his exam results.

I have an O-level education background and I also possess a certificate in Pharmaceutical Technology. I have been in employment as a pharmaceuticals technologist for over sixteen (16) years in two different companies. During this period, I experienced numerous problem both financially and socially. This was because the salary was small and could not meet the needs of my family and even my own needs. This prompted me to think of starting a small business, but still this came with its own economic and social challenges.

I come from Western Kenya, a place called Butere, but currently I live and work in Eldoret Town. I have been in this town for the last seventeen years.

My Business

Besides employment, I have been operating a cereal shop for the last six years. I started this type of business because of ever-increasing demand of maize, beans, sorghum, millet, green grams, rice and many others. Eldoret has a very high population, which gives me a very effective demand. I chose the products due to their great availability and demand: you can not miss to make a sale.

Competition is minimal and the existing competitors I have an advantage over them: I buy my cereals during harvesting when the price is very low, dry them properly to maintain high quality, and treat them with pesticides to avoid piercing by weevils. I sell my products at a very friendly price, which keeps on attracting more and more customers. My business does not face any risks because these products are the staple food for the whole community.

My monthly cost of running the business is 240 US dollars, while the average gross profit before the expenses is usually approximately 385 US dollars.
The following is how I normally use profits from the business :
10% I give tithe to the church
70% Upkeep, i.e. food and rent
5% Savings
15% I support my aged mother and two siblings

Loan Proposal

Thanks Zidisha lenders for the first loan that you gave to me: it was of great help to my business. I would like to propose that, given the next loan, I will use it to add stock to my cereals shop as follows:

5 sacks of maize at 127 US dollars
1 and a half sacks of beans at 103 US dollars

By doing so, I expect more sales and growth in turnover sales and profit, thus I will be able to repay my loan conveniently.
Thanks, I look forward to your wise consideration. God bless you.

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