Monica’s Journey: Driving Business Growth in Central Kenya

By Elkanah Nyauma

4,726

Monica’s Journey: Driving Business Growth in Central Kenya

A story of transformation – Monica’s Flourishing Petrol Station in Kenya

In this post, we explore Monica’s inspiring journey of business growth in Central Kenya, detailing how she transformed her life and community by starting and expanding a successful petrol station.

Monica grew up in a rural village in Central Kenya. She married a small-scale farmer, and together they raised crops for their home and to sell to neighbors. With a growing family, Monica’s days were filled with fetching water, cooking, cleaning, and caring for her children. Although they always had food, their income was minimal, making it challenging to provide beyond basic needs. As her children grew older, Monica worried about how they would afford their education. One day, she heard about a community savings group forming at her local church and decided to join.

Starting Small and Learning to Grow in Central Kenya

Monica had never held a formal job or worked outside of household chores and backyard farming. In the savings group, she learned biblical principles of business and how to start and develop small enterprises, promoting business growth. Inspired by her friends who started new businesses, Monica discussed with her husband ways to supplement their income.

Upon surveying her local town, Monica noticed the absence of gas stations. Families had to travel far to purchase kerosene for lamps and gasoline for vehicles or farm equipment. “There was nowhere… they were traveling very far to get the petrol,” she observed.

Using her first loan from the savings group, Monica started a business selling gasoline. She began with a metal cylinder with a cut-off valve, funnels, and rubber hosing, purchasing fuel daily from the closest gas station in a nearby village and reselling it at a roadside stall, marking the beginning of her business growth.

Read more news

[wp-rss-aggregator sources=”19391″]

Business Income Meets Family Needs

Monica’s gas business thrived, allowing her to quickly repay her loan and stock oil and basic car parts. She used new savings and a second loan to build a cinderblock storefront. With improved storage and security, she added propane tanks and other products, eventually using a third loan to purchase a large underground fuel tank, further enhancing her business growth.

Today, Monica continues to save and grow her business. She now owns a gas station stocked with fuel and auto parts, earning a cash profit of more than twenty times the average monthly salary for farmers in her community. Thanks to her successful business growth, all her children can pursue further education.

A New Fuel Pump for Monica’s Expanding Business

Update 9/19/2017: Monica’s business continues to thrive. After setting up a petrol pump, she saw an opportunity to expand her services to lorries and large trucks transporting goods across the region. She purchased an additional underground tank and set up a new pump for diesel, rapidly increasing her monthly sales volume, showcasing her ongoing business growth.

Supporting Five Talents helps women like Monica gain the knowledge and skills to start and run successful businesses. Your support breaks the cycle of poverty, bringing hope and new opportunities to families and communities in need, fostering business growth.

Recommended
Losing your job can be a challenging and disheartening experience.…