Setting up a small shop

Entrepreneur

About Me

My name is Mercy Kariuki, I like to use my ethnic name Nyauci as it is a rare name in my country. It is from an almost extinct tribe from The Rift Valley called Dorobo. I am the eldest in my family of four siblings.
As a child, I suffered from a heart condition that required me to be medication for life. However, a miracle happened and I got healed of the condition. Needless to say, I disliked medicine and injections, having had them as a lifestyle for nearly twenty years.
My father was a Naturopathist and when helping him, I picked a few natural remedies for common ailments. These I carried on into my adulthood and developed a liking for natural remedies rather than medicine. In my circle of friends, I was referred to as "The Queen of Concoctions"! Many of my friends would consult me for a concoction for one ailment or another.
With time, I developed a real interest and started researching on making concoctions and even came up with a few of my own. I also gained interest in making natural cosmetics, which I now intend to pursue perfection.

My Business

Natural products for wellness, health and beauty is the business I am in.
The market is now appreciating natural products and making a gradual shift from chemical-based products to natural products. The demand is now growing for natural remedies and cosmetics as well.
Currently, the business is in its infancy so costs and revenues are low but gradually growing. I am supporting this venture with income from my other businesses (home baking and corporate training) and the funds I have been getting from Zidisha. I reinvest the small earnings I get from sales as there is a need to grow the business.

Loan Proposal

A need has arisen to have an outlet for my natural beauty, health and wellness products. I will, therefore, use this loan to partly finance the setting up of the small shop.
Currently, the business is purely online, with customers calling to make orders and delivery done to their destination. Having a shop/stall will widen the market as there will be an opportunity for walk-in clients. I have also noticed that an opportunity for upselling comes when clients see products they did not know we have. The shop will definitely help us to increase sales and ultimately profits. It will also create an employment opportunity for one person.

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