It’s thrilling how everyone wants to be their own boss in 2025 onwards. But do you know, 20% of new businesses fail in their first year? And as if that’s not enough, 45% fail within the first five years, and only 25% of new businesses make it over 15 years. But do you ask, is there any way to start a successful business in Kenya?
The simple answer is yes. You can indeed start a successful business in Kenya. However, success in business requires the right mindset.
In this blog, I will show you what it takes to start a business and succeed in it in Kenya. I have personally started several businesses since after high school. Some have worked, others haven’t and I have learned the best lessons being in business.
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What it Takes to Start a Business in Kenya
- Have the money first (capital)
Before thinking of any business idea, you should first assess how much money you are willing to put into the business. Think of ways you can access the capital, and if possible, avoid borrowing high-interest loans to start up a business.
You can start by doing some odd jobs, save the money and when you have enough capital, you can start off your business.
There are several businesses you can start with as little as Ksh.1000.
- Identify the business idea
Based on the amount of capital you can afford to start a business, research and identify a business idea in your area. The best way to identify a business idea is to find a gap in the market.
What isn’t offered? What kind of business do customers complain more about the services? You should be confident to do better than the existing competitors to stand out in the business space.
Read Also: Businesses to start with 10k in Kenya.
- Register your business name on eCitizen
You need to own your business. So, ensure you start right by registering the business name on eCitizen. This act ensures that you don’t get name complications later after your business grows. It also prevents anyone else from using your business name.
Note that registering a business name in Kenya is a requirement, but you can always take your time to stabilize your business first. Because I don’t think it’s a wise idea to register a business that’s gonna fail in the first year anyway.
Read also: Business to start with 50k in Kenya.
- Decide on a shop or stall to rent (location)
I will always say that location is a very important factor to consider when starting a successful business in Kenya. After deciding on the business to start, you need to think of the best location to set up your business.
If you can start a portable business where you can move from one market to another, that would also be great. However, you should also calculate the possible returns against the expenses of transport. I have seen several people start as mobile clothes vendors and they have grown brands from there.
- Get ready for county business permits
Regardless of where you start your business, you cannot run away from paying for county business permits.
In most counties, small businesses pay annual permits starting from Ksh.4500. You can enquire from your county government offices to know how much you will be paying.
How to Make a Successful Business in Kenya
- Winners don’t quit
Most of the time, things don’t work out for startups, and some give up at this time and try something else.
I have talked to several business startups, and some have acknowledged recording zero sales at some point in a month. Although this varies from one business to another, it’s important to understand that not all days are good in the business world. Sometimes, you can sell as much as possible, and other times you may sell little to nothing.
That’s why you should stick around for as long as possible for you to see the best fruits of your business. Give your business time and develop shock absorbers as much as you can.
However, you should not hold on blindly. Instead, ensure you have proper records to keep you moving. Clear records will help you notice the pattern of sales in your business, and that will help you make the right decisions.
- Be a life-long learner
I remember promising myself not to go back to class after graduating in 2018. And that was the greatest lie I made to myself—which was diluted faster than I ever expected.
And you know what, I read a book, The Parable of the Pipeline by Burke Hedges, that changed my life for who I am today. That book fueled me to start an online business and ever since, I have become a learner. I have taken courses, read books, and attended live webinars—all just to learn.
As a business person, learning is inevitable, whether it’s an online or offline business. You need to keep your bar up to stand out in the competition. And the good news is that you can now learn from the comfort of your preferred location.
For instance, we have a Digital Marketing Course you can enroll in today. The course will help you learn how to market your business in digital ways and help you build a career in digital marketing.
- Be Flexible
A lot is changing in the world at a very speedy phase. Businesses that didn’t adapt to the changing technologies in 2010 are no longer operational today. That should tell you that neglecting top trends in business today will keep you out of business in the next 5 to 10 years or even less.
You should build your business in such a way that leaves room for flexibility. Research and digest what could really happen to your business in the next 5 years. This will help you build it in the right direction.
- Top-notch customer services
Customers stay where they are valued. Don’t tell me you will still buy from a vendor who talked badly to you or had a bad mood. Definitely, you will not bother to enter that store again.
To succeed in customer service, assume you are the customer and write down what you expect from the seller. And then apply that to your clients.
You can also add some after-service practices to motivate your customers. For instance, you can offer services like carrying the product to the customer’s car.
- The market as if your life depends on it
Before you start a small business in Kenya, ensure you have ways of marketing your business. The business location can determine how you can market your products and services.
However, don’t forget to use traditional marketing methods such as the use of banners and posters on walls and posts to market your business. In addition, ensure you use this with digital marketing methods too.
Ensure that your business is visible on all relevant social media channels to increase visibility, hence clients.
Every business out there depends on marketing. And doing it right can help you stand out in the competition. And the good thing about the current era is you can sell your products across the country. You only need to work on deliveries and you are set to go.
Starting a successful small business in Kenya depends on the efforts you put into marketing it. Setting up the right marketing channels sets your small business up for success.
Start a Successful Small Business in Kenya: The Bottom Line
Always stay motivated to ensure you get the best out of your small business. Giving up early will not give you the right results. And just like Denzel Washington said, you should hang around the barber for a long time and you will get a haircut eventually.
Those who stay to the end are those who win the battles. Therefore, you should keep on working on your small business to see the desirable results.