“If you don’t do it, nothing is possible. If you do it, at least, you have the hope that there's a chance,” that is a famous and inspiration quote by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.
The quote can be used to best describe the ventures of Jacob Ochieng’. Before 2014, Mr. Ochieng’ was working as an attendant at one of the shops that sell clothing materials in Kisumu.
At the back of his mind, he was thinking of how to start his own business. “I was getting a meager pay. I had an idea of starting up my own business in order to help in my economic growth,” he said.
He said that he decided to resign after saving Sh.15, 000 and started up a shoes business.
“I started selling shoes in 2014. I operate a shoes stall here (in Obunga) from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday, I sell the shoes at the Kibuye open air market,” he said.
Mr. Ochieng said he earns a profit of Sh. 3, 000 between Monday and Saturday at his stall in Obunga estate. On Sundays, he gets Sh. 3, 500 due to a huge number of customers he serves at the Kibuye market.
A little mathematics indicates that the father of one gets a profit of Sh. 26, 000 from his shoes business each month.
He sells men, women and children shoes, with women and children being most of his customers.
He orders his wares from Busia and Uganda. His major challenge is the fact that some shoes can be on display for a very long time before being bought.
The 26-year old trader urged the Kisumu County government to give loans to youth like him who have decided to venture into business instead of sitting idle.
“We have many youth who have decided to do something with their lives instead of idling around and engaging in crime. The county government should think about supporting such youth,” he said.
He said that supporting the youth was the only way of enabling them to support in the growth of the country’s economy.
Jacob Ochieng dropped out of school while in form one at Sirembe Secondary school in Siaya County due to lack of fees.