Edgar Otieno’s narrative paints a portrait of a determined and audacious young man. Some years back, Otieno shocked many when he chose to depart from a lucrative corporate position at Barclays Bank (now ABSA) to venture into the world of street hawking in Nairobi, selling pencils. This move was perceived by many Kenyans as unconventional, considering that hawking is often associated with the unemployed or those deemed unemployable. However, for Otieno, it represented a golden opportunity to apply his sales expertise in a unique setting.
Each morning, Otieno would meticulously groom himself to exude a corporate demeanor before hitting the streets, ready to make a difference in the hawking sector. Those who encountered him were puzzled by why an individual with a banking background would willingly forsake a well-paying job to peddle pencils. Otieno’s response was simple yet profound: “In sales, people buy the seller before buying the product.”
True to his philosophy, Otieno’s immaculate attire and his ability to converse in multiple languages endeared him to a vast clientele. He acknowledged adapting to basic phrases in various Kenyan languages during his years on the streets, recognizing that people prefer purchasing from someone who shares their language or background.
Originally from Busia County, Otieno commenced his sales career in Nairobi, stumbling upon an opportunity with a company recruiting sales agents for pencil and cutlery products. His success was rapid, quickly rising to become the top-performing sales agent. Despite the company’s closure in 2005, Otieno’s passion for sales endured, leading him to pursue personal business ventures.
In a previous interview, Otieno expressed his fondness for hawking, citing the flexibility it provides. This flexibility, he explained, allows him the freedom to pursue other interests, such as education and farming. Despite earning modestly from his hawking endeavors, Otieno enrolled in a diploma program in social work in 2012, aiming to secure better employment opportunities.
While Otieno has received multiple job offers, he revealed turning them down as none matched the income he earned in a day of hawking. Misconceptions persist about his occupation, with some speculating that he might be an undercover detective disguised as a hawker, given his impeccably maintained appearance for a job that seemingly involves chasing after customers. Otieno’s response reflects his belief that appearances matter in sales: “People buy with their eyes first. If you dress well, they will buy from you.”
