ENTREPRENEURS CORNER: FROM ZERO BOB TO IT HERO WITH TWO APPS IN 35 COUNTRIES

ENTREPRENEURS CORNER: FROM ZERO BOB TO IT HERO WITH TWO APPS IN 35 COUNTRIES

#entrepreneurOftheweek #yepiinspirations

Growing up,

Ken Gitonga

didn’t know who he wanted to become, he laughs and says, “ Maybe it’s because I’m from the village where there is little or no motivation at all.” But one thing for sure he knew he wanted money: and a lot of it. From the childhood struggles, he developed the culture of depending on himself whenever he wanted something.

Starting a Business with absolutely nothing, just a big idea, laptops, and a dream. Today, two known start-ups; the e-Bursary System and StockApp, that have gotten the team awards, he probably becomes our Kenyan version of Elon Musk straight out of Mombasa to the global stage. From no business on the first round to having users from 35 countries. He also has been part of other consultancies.

Ken Gitonga also referred to as Kenly or the T-shirt CEO is a serial entrepreneur and IT enthusiast. He is a twin last born, together with Kevin, of a family of five. He laughs at how they don’t quite look-alike, hehe.

He defines himself as a talkative cool guy who shares his thoughts freely with my friends, he is easy going person, friendly, and a foody, he laughs. Most importantly he says, he is determined to challenge the status quo of ‘life starts at 40’ then you need to retire at 65.

He started a business so as to become whoever he could ever become in life, becoming self-reliant financially and he says, “I felt my life won’t be just 8-5pm routine. I wanted the freedom to LIVE and not just EXIST”.

He only worked for 5 months during his university time, post that he says, he hasn’t looked.

Get to know this man with IT-based startups that will get you thinking!!!

1. When did you start your First Business?

Mmmmh, do I really remember? Well. Back in campus, I used to do assignments and projects for students at a fee. It was after watching a video by YOUNG RICH and they covered a guy called Kariuki Kamau (I honestly recommend that ka-video on YouTube). I was sitted down watching a DJ Afro Movie when a roommate wanted his assignment typed and sent to the lecturer. I decided to that and after I sent the assignment, the guy gave me KES 50. Weuh! It clicked to me that I can earn some amounts no matter how small. From this point, I used to wait for evening students' wakitoka class and introduce myself as a leader of a group of students who do assignments and projects at a fee. These guys were busy people working in KPA and Mombasa County so they couldn’t ignore such an oppourtunity. Thats how I managed to start the business but I dropped it along the way after I got a job during my long holiday

2. Did you ever take up employment?

Not really officially. The longest I have been on the payroll is for 5 months after I got a job with KEMRI in Kilifi during my long holiday in my 3rd year. Since then, I have never applied for any other job but instead, tried things out to earn a living. Every time I think of trying to look for a job, the 8-5pm thought clicks and I stop hehehe

3. What has been your greatest achievement whilst in Business?

I will say two instances. First, when we were launching the first system called e-Bursary System in TUM. This was a system to help needy students apply and get bursaries without necessarily traveling home to get the forms, move around with them then return back to the County or CDF offices. During the launch, we had the Deputy Governor of Mombasa County, the area MP, and the University Vice-Chancellor. Presenting a system you have done from scratch to such an audience was something I can’t forget. It was such a moment that you wish to happen daily. Secondly, when I was seated with my partner Peter nearly one month after we launched StockApp and then a guy paid us Kes 500 from the App (one month package), oh my goodness! It was such a moment that we knew our new product can actually bring in money. On 17th March 2020 (4 days after COVID-19 was announced in Kenya), we got this payment from Edinburgh UK! That was such a moment that proved to us we can go international with a small idea but thinking big. To date, we have users in over 35 countries including Vanuatu, Maldives and Malta

4. What has been your lowest moments in Business?

My lowest moment came when I was following up with a local university student leader to adopt our e-Bursary System. The meeting was set to happen at 10 am but ended up happening at 01:16am. That is a cool 15 hours 16 minutes. I even doubted my sanity at that point. Who does that! (Smiles)

5. How did you raise your Capital?

With our two known businesses, we didn’t raise any money. We used the resources we have, that is, brain, skills, and laptops. I am a strong believer that for a true entrepreneur, money isn’t the biggest limitation. Ideas are!

6. How much did you start with?

Zero capital literally. With just an idea, we decided to take baby steps to have the product up and running. This was possible we could do other manual jobs here and there to get something to pay the bills. I used to file nil returns for guys, accompany a friend to deliver supplies or organize an event etc etc. My partner was working in a small hotel on call basis and we survived. When we sold our first system of e-Bursary System and got the money, we knew we can do this if we push even harder. Unfortunately, we didn’t make any other sale of the system but it gave us life changing lessons in the entrepreneurship space. We won two different awards which gave us some few cash to start and run the new idea called StockApp.

7. What is your vision?

My vision is to set a clear example to the young generation that life isn’t a military school where you have to follow each and every rule. Attend primary school and get over 400 marks in KCPE, go to secondary school and get an A, join the university and graduate with First Class Honors, look for a big job in a reputable company, take mortgages, work every day from 8-5pm for the next 35 years and retire at 65 years. Esther, this is not Living, it’s called EXISTING! I want to change the mindsets of our generation and let them know you can start small and think big no matter from which part of the country. You can live a life you have always wanted provided you trust yourself and know you’re your own limitation. For me, I wanna LIVE

8. Any advice to entrepreneurs?

A lot hehehe. They need to know it’s not for the faint hearted. At times you will lose people close to you as they don’t understand what you are doing. At times you will sacrifice the little you have to see the business standing, sometimes you will doubt the whole thing and doubt your sanity. But in all these, trust the process. The phrase ‘Rome was not built in a day’ will apply. Always keep this in mind: start early, fail early, recover early and you will appreciate the efforts sooner than later! In the entrepreneurship journey, always answer this question:

WHAT WAKES YOU UP, ALARM OR PURPOSE?

You heard guys, what was you up!!! #Business #Entrepreneurship #DreamTribe. Remember it can be done, with no capital, no connections, just your brilliant mind. If you Dream it, you can achieve it!!!

The greatest realization to everyone is the discovery that you are walking money. You are the job, and you are the work. To be of service to humanity in any way is the true source of wealth!!! Whether you choose to be in employment or in business, find a path that allows you to serve the most people, and in that, you will inevitably find means. But for Ken, it was Business all the way