The business minded generation is the most rapid growing generation sor far, people learn and acquire new skills as fast as possible. It is therefore important for self employed motivated people to focus on making money by starting a business before it's too late. Here are some of the businesses you can start as a business minded person.
1. Start Baking Cakes
Earlier in January I wrote a piece in our weekly segment – Joon Business Ideas – focusing on how to start a small Bakery in Kenya to earn at least KES 2,000 daily.
steps on how to start
I listed everything that a beginner needs to know about this venture and even gave out some tips on where to get the baking materials for animated cakes.
Suffice it to say that there is ready market for bakery products.
Small Business Ideas in Kenya. Start a Small bakery
2. Start Doing Online Sales And Marketing
Other than the fact that African parents can now take care of their grown children: – feed, educate, cloth and shelter them until they (children) are 40 years old; do you know what else is interesting about this generation?
steps on how to start
Selling products you don’t own.
This is specifically made possible through multi level marketing companies (whose products or services you can sell to earn commissions). Or companies with affiliate marketing programs.
You don’t however need to confine yourself to these commission limits.
You can also create your own products and sell them for better profits.
For example: – you can write your own eBook, start your own online masterclasses on topics you well understand or sell custom Maasai jewels to make money. Each of these small business ideas don’t cost more than Ksh. 1,000 to start.
3. Become a Blogger
Another popular way to make so much money in this generation is by becoming a blogger.
steps on how to start
A word of caution though, you may never make a dime from it if you are not committed to creating better content frequently.
Another thing, it will take a while to make money doing it. But this differs by blogger preparedness and knowledge of monetization.
Speaking of which, my first payment from blogging was $9.5 and it came just after a week of creating the blog.
Some people take a few months, others years but when they start making money online, not Neil Patel’s $381,772 monthly earnings or Pritam Nagrale’s $ 1.14K monthly earnings come close to their paychecks.
4. Become a Creative Artist For Just About Anything
This could be in garment repair, tailoring, fashion design, pencil artistry, poetry, name it.
steps on how to start
And if you need any assurance on if you can make money off such gigs then think about Collins ThinkTank Okello – Remember him? The pencil artist who drew President Uhuru Kenyatta on Army regalia; rose to fame and created a now successful art business from his inexperience and creative experiments.
If that’s not enough reason to start this gig;
Then think about Kysh Roberts the RNB artist from Kisumu and a co-founder of Kisumu fashion week — a show that now attract thousands of participants and investors from all over Africa to celebrate fashion in Kisumu. Happens every year.
And don’t forget my very own college friend Sherlin who started her cards design business in school over valentines and is now in the process of creating her own printing press.
My point is, it doesn’t matter which creative idea you have – if you give it life it will thrive.
5. Start Writing From Home
The most interesting part about this small business idea is, there is an infinite market for hustles which range from writing blogging content to writing resumes, short stories, ghost writing, business plans, copy writing — name it.
steps on how to start
The gist of this gig is, you can even earn as an inexperienced writer.
Personally I earned my first $60 writing 150 word articles about weather for a south American blog – that’s way back in 2012.
Later I wrote controversial pieces for escort blogs in UK, then freelance websites (iWriter, Upwork, Fiver and Freelancer).
I have since gone niche with personal finance and Travel (Read how I earn $200 regularly as a freelance travel writer)
Because other than writing about blogging itself, which other niche pays better?
Small businesses to start in Kenya
6. Start Businesses That Revolve Around Body And Beauty
I have previously written about how anyone can start a beauty shop with as little as KES 2,000 to make at least KES 5,000 a day. It goes without saying that in order to however achieve that much profits daily you will need to go rogue on marketing.
steps on how to start
Other body and beauty businesses which you can also start in the space to earn a decent living include: -Making and Selling handmade soaps; Selling beauty treatment products alongside doing tattoo and body piercing services.
Small Businesses to start in Kenya
7. Become an Hair Stylist
If you have skills in hair styling, treatment and maintenance; start a hair styling salon.
steps on how to start
This is one of the businesses that is always thriving and should earn you a decent living if you do it well.
An upside to it is, if you are so good at it; you will get more clients refereed by satisfied clients.
The downside is, if you mess up a single client, their bad mouth could slow your business faster than you built it.
Request a Detailed Business Guide
8. Start an Health and Fitness Business
Again, this could revolve around what you already like doing.
steps on how to start
For example: – if you like going to gym and have the skill to train others to become fit; you could open your own space and become the gym instructor.
You can insist on monthly subscriptions or just ask for payment per session.
This is the model used in Kisumu Kenya (Ksh. 50 per session).
The alternative to instructing fitness fanatics is to become a sports coach, yoga and aerobics instructor in Nairobi or wherever.
Small Business Ideas for 2019
9. Start a Mini Baby Care in Your Guest Room
Other small business ideas which you can do at home include creche services, baby sitting and renting out prams.
steps on how to start
Besides buying the prams, you will also need to invest in comfortable beds for children, play kits and other kid stuff necessary to run your business.
If you have a bigger place then you could also start Douala and post natal care-giving services for the rich women of Nairobi and Mombasa
Small businesses to start in Kenya - Baby care
10. Become a Forex or Options Trader
Forex trading is the only business that you can start in this generation without ever investing a coin.
steps on how to start
This is because most Forex brokers now give real cash bonuses for new account traders who wish to make money online.
The other advantage is, all options and Forex brokers also give training to traders (with demo accounts) on real market conditions — to help you begin trading.
The downside is, if you trade and loose the bonuses, you will have to deposit at least $10 to begin trading again. But think of that little investment as your small cost of running the business.
11. Start a Real Estate Agency
Other small business ideas which most people ignore yet are just as profitable as the rest are in the real estate space.
steps on how to start
You could start by creating a web listing of rental houses.
If you get clients who are interested to view the properties in your list, charge them a fixed viewing fee.
If they like the property up-sell more of your services.
Think moving services!
Isn’t it obvious that they’d want to move if they like the house?
Recommend your moving services. And if the house is dirty and needs cleaning, agree with them to clean at a fee.
Small Business ideas 2019
12. Become A software Developer
If you have already graduated from the university with perfect skills on software development; don’t waste your youth searching for a job.
Instead, create jobs for yourself and others by starting your own business.
Start developing apps and softwares.
Need I mention that there is a huge demand for network analysis software, accounting software, security analysis software and BI analyst softwares?
Start making money off what you know.
Small Business Ideas in Kenya
Top Small Business Ideas For Millennial
Any millennial who would rather start his own business than search for a job can try out these small business ideas.
Most of them require skill, dexterity, passion and patience.
Remember, most startups take up to 3 years to actually become profitable.
If you have the capability to hold your horses that long then try these small business ideas for teens.
Small Business Ideas for Millenials
13. Make and Sell Handcrafted Gifts
14. Sell Eggs and Smokies
15. Become a Photographer
16. Offer Janitorial Services
More than ever, there is need for frequent cleaning services in Kenya. This is because of the mushrooming of so many startups in major malls and business centers in Kenya.
Note that anyone can take advantage of these small business ideas. And for millennial who didn’t want to get their hands dirty; do what you do best. Sign the contract then outsource the job.
17. YouTube Videos
One of the greatest online sensations of making money online is through sharing funny, educational, promotional or motivational videos.
steps on how to start
According to YouTube there are 1.3 Billion people waiting to watch new videos daily.
You can monetize your channel with adsense and earn. Or work with cooperates to make money.
18. Offer Security Services
So you think becoming rich is hard?
steps on how to start
If so then it is because I haven’t told you a story about a friend of mine who lived in the Village his entire life.
He wished he’d one day go to Kisumu town but never got anyone to take him there. Suffice it to say that he was an Orphan.
The story goes that one day when there was a funeral in the Village. He heard someone mention that the body was brought from Kisumu and he decided that since the vehicle which had come with the funeral procession was going back empty; he’d take a free lift to town.
steps on how to start
It’s until they got to Kisumu that he realized – he’d come to nothingness. No relatives, no friends, no money and no food.
He became a street boy and started begging in the streets of Kisumu.
Got a few bucks which he then used to purchase and sell sweets to passengers at the bus terminus.
1. Start Baking Cakes
Earlier in January I wrote a piece in our weekly segment – Joon Business Ideas – focusing on how to start a small Bakery in Kenya to earn at least KES 2,000 daily.
steps on how to start
I listed everything that a beginner needs to know about this venture and even gave out some tips on where to get the baking materials for animated cakes.
Suffice it to say that there is ready market for bakery products.
Small Business Ideas in Kenya. Start a Small bakery
2. Start Doing Online Sales And Marketing
Other than the fact that African parents can now take care of their grown children: – feed, educate, cloth and shelter them until they (children) are 40 years old; do you know what else is interesting about this generation?
steps on how to start
Selling products you don’t own.
This is specifically made possible through multi level marketing companies (whose products or services you can sell to earn commissions). Or companies with affiliate marketing programs.
You don’t however need to confine yourself to these commission limits.
You can also create your own products and sell them for better profits.
For example: – you can write your own eBook, start your own online masterclasses on topics you well understand or sell custom Maasai jewels to make money. Each of these small business ideas don’t cost more than Ksh. 1,000 to start.
3. Become a Blogger
Another popular way to make so much money in this generation is by becoming a blogger.
steps on how to start
A word of caution though, you may never make a dime from it if you are not committed to creating better content frequently.
Another thing, it will take a while to make money doing it. But this differs by blogger preparedness and knowledge of monetization.
Speaking of which, my first payment from blogging was $9.5 and it came just after a week of creating the blog.
Some people take a few months, others years but when they start making money online, not Neil Patel’s $381,772 monthly earnings or Pritam Nagrale’s $ 1.14K monthly earnings come close to their paychecks.
4. Become a Creative Artist For Just About Anything
This could be in garment repair, tailoring, fashion design, pencil artistry, poetry, name it.
steps on how to start
And if you need any assurance on if you can make money off such gigs then think about Collins ThinkTank Okello – Remember him? The pencil artist who drew President Uhuru Kenyatta on Army regalia; rose to fame and created a now successful art business from his inexperience and creative experiments.
If that’s not enough reason to start this gig;
Then think about Kysh Roberts the RNB artist from Kisumu and a co-founder of Kisumu fashion week — a show that now attract thousands of participants and investors from all over Africa to celebrate fashion in Kisumu. Happens every year.
And don’t forget my very own college friend Sherlin who started her cards design business in school over valentines and is now in the process of creating her own printing press.
My point is, it doesn’t matter which creative idea you have – if you give it life it will thrive.
5. Start Writing From Home
The most interesting part about this small business idea is, there is an infinite market for hustles which range from writing blogging content to writing resumes, short stories, ghost writing, business plans, copy writing — name it.
steps on how to start
The gist of this gig is, you can even earn as an inexperienced writer.
Personally I earned my first $60 writing 150 word articles about weather for a south American blog – that’s way back in 2012.
Later I wrote controversial pieces for escort blogs in UK, then freelance websites (iWriter, Upwork, Fiver and Freelancer).
I have since gone niche with personal finance and Travel (Read how I earn $200 regularly as a freelance travel writer)
Because other than writing about blogging itself, which other niche pays better?
Small businesses to start in Kenya
6. Start Businesses That Revolve Around Body And Beauty
I have previously written about how anyone can start a beauty shop with as little as KES 2,000 to make at least KES 5,000 a day. It goes without saying that in order to however achieve that much profits daily you will need to go rogue on marketing.
steps on how to start
Other body and beauty businesses which you can also start in the space to earn a decent living include: -Making and Selling handmade soaps; Selling beauty treatment products alongside doing tattoo and body piercing services.
Small Businesses to start in Kenya
7. Become an Hair Stylist
If you have skills in hair styling, treatment and maintenance; start a hair styling salon.
steps on how to start
This is one of the businesses that is always thriving and should earn you a decent living if you do it well.
An upside to it is, if you are so good at it; you will get more clients refereed by satisfied clients.
The downside is, if you mess up a single client, their bad mouth could slow your business faster than you built it.
Request a Detailed Business Guide
8. Start an Health and Fitness Business
Again, this could revolve around what you already like doing.
steps on how to start
For example: – if you like going to gym and have the skill to train others to become fit; you could open your own space and become the gym instructor.
You can insist on monthly subscriptions or just ask for payment per session.
This is the model used in Kisumu Kenya (Ksh. 50 per session).
The alternative to instructing fitness fanatics is to become a sports coach, yoga and aerobics instructor in Nairobi or wherever.
Small Business Ideas for 2019
9. Start a Mini Baby Care in Your Guest Room
Other small business ideas which you can do at home include creche services, baby sitting and renting out prams.
steps on how to start
Besides buying the prams, you will also need to invest in comfortable beds for children, play kits and other kid stuff necessary to run your business.
If you have a bigger place then you could also start Douala and post natal care-giving services for the rich women of Nairobi and Mombasa
Small businesses to start in Kenya - Baby care
10. Become a Forex or Options Trader
Forex trading is the only business that you can start in this generation without ever investing a coin.
steps on how to start
This is because most Forex brokers now give real cash bonuses for new account traders who wish to make money online.
The other advantage is, all options and Forex brokers also give training to traders (with demo accounts) on real market conditions — to help you begin trading.
The downside is, if you trade and loose the bonuses, you will have to deposit at least $10 to begin trading again. But think of that little investment as your small cost of running the business.
11. Start a Real Estate Agency
Other small business ideas which most people ignore yet are just as profitable as the rest are in the real estate space.
steps on how to start
You could start by creating a web listing of rental houses.
If you get clients who are interested to view the properties in your list, charge them a fixed viewing fee.
If they like the property up-sell more of your services.
Think moving services!
Isn’t it obvious that they’d want to move if they like the house?
Recommend your moving services. And if the house is dirty and needs cleaning, agree with them to clean at a fee.
Small Business ideas 2019
12. Become A software Developer
If you have already graduated from the university with perfect skills on software development; don’t waste your youth searching for a job.
Instead, create jobs for yourself and others by starting your own business.
Start developing apps and softwares.
Need I mention that there is a huge demand for network analysis software, accounting software, security analysis software and BI analyst softwares?
Start making money off what you know.
Small Business Ideas in Kenya
Top Small Business Ideas For Millennial
Any millennial who would rather start his own business than search for a job can try out these small business ideas.
Most of them require skill, dexterity, passion and patience.
Remember, most startups take up to 3 years to actually become profitable.
If you have the capability to hold your horses that long then try these small business ideas for teens.
Small Business Ideas for Millenials
13. Make and Sell Handcrafted Gifts
14. Sell Eggs and Smokies
15. Become a Photographer
16. Offer Janitorial Services
More than ever, there is need for frequent cleaning services in Kenya. This is because of the mushrooming of so many startups in major malls and business centers in Kenya.
Note that anyone can take advantage of these small business ideas. And for millennial who didn’t want to get their hands dirty; do what you do best. Sign the contract then outsource the job.
17. YouTube Videos
One of the greatest online sensations of making money online is through sharing funny, educational, promotional or motivational videos.
steps on how to start
According to YouTube there are 1.3 Billion people waiting to watch new videos daily.
You can monetize your channel with adsense and earn. Or work with cooperates to make money.
18. Offer Security Services
So you think becoming rich is hard?
steps on how to start
If so then it is because I haven’t told you a story about a friend of mine who lived in the Village his entire life.
He wished he’d one day go to Kisumu town but never got anyone to take him there. Suffice it to say that he was an Orphan.
The story goes that one day when there was a funeral in the Village. He heard someone mention that the body was brought from Kisumu and he decided that since the vehicle which had come with the funeral procession was going back empty; he’d take a free lift to town.
steps on how to start
It’s until they got to Kisumu that he realized – he’d come to nothingness. No relatives, no friends, no money and no food.
He became a street boy and started begging in the streets of Kisumu.
Got a few bucks which he then used to purchase and sell sweets to passengers at the bus terminus.
source: Joon