At the point when Patrick Mwangi began selling (mitumba) as a sophomore, he didn’t do it for cash, but to buy some things his family couldn’t afford.
While a student at Laikipia High School, he would buy clothes from a local supplier, which he would later sell to his friends and colleagues during during holidays. He proceeded with his side hustle, which transformed into a business even subsequent to finishing secondary school.
On account of his little business, he was more attractive and better dressed. Nonetheless, a squabble among him and one of his friends put his hobby on hold, forcing him to flee his home in Nyahururu.
“I had a fight with a friend of mine, it was so bad it turned into a police case because it happened on someone’s property,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi moved to Thika, where he set down while the dust in the house settled. Here he met a friend who was a supplier of mitumba clothes. Things had changed – what he used to do as a side hobby – he needed to do it in order to survive.
Right from the start, he requested that his friend give him 10 jumpers won by ladies, each costing 100 Ksh. He sold all the sweaters in a single day, making a profit
The need to survive was surpassed by the need to flourish. Mwangi chose to source from Gikomba market in Nairobi, which he supplied, however in minimal quantities.
As he continued with it he hoped to get a better deal, and as fate threw one in his way. He was called to Malindi for a job in a non-governmental organization (NGO).
Everything was not rosy for him and different candidates. Mwangi went as long as seven months without pay, he scarcely endure. Luckily, another door opened.
“I found a job as a driver in one of the hotels. The job lasted three months and I was able to save 25,000 Ksh,” he revealed.
The tough business visionary used the cash as money to start the Mitumba business in Mombasa. He began as a seller, selling clothes in the roads, before a sympathizer called the shots for him to get a small stall.
Here he was selling ladies’ clothing and shoes, and with the cash streaming in, he opened his first store in 2013, which was later followed by two more. It was a special request from his stepfather that gave him another business thought.
“He gave me his car and his logbook and told me he needed the money,” he said.
His dad needed him to sell the vehicle. Having no involvement with vehicle deals, it took him nearly 30 days and a half to sell the vehicle, and the Ksh 50,000 commission was a motivating force he hadn’t imagined.
Around then, he grew more interest in the auto trade. He started to grow in the business, turning into a contact for anybody in his old neighborhood who needed to sell their old vehicle or purchase a used vehicle.
True to form with each new business, the vehicle sales business has had its good and bad times.however fromsales he made he managed to save.
Mwangi bought his first vehicle in 2016, a Toyota Vitz, at Ksh 270,000, which was a good deal.He later sold it for 380,000 Ksh, at a shockingly better cost.
As he extended his organization, he met a Pakistani national who encouraged him to begin selling new vehicles, which had higher net revenues. He followed the advice without asking how.
The young vehicle dealer imported its first new vehicle, a Mercedes Benz C200. In spite of the fact that he managed how to return the cash, he made minimal profit.
He returned to his friend for advice, advice he should have asked. When he imported the same type of car a few months later, he saw the fruits of the trade.
“I imported the same car. This time I made a killing,” he said.
known as Mwangi wa Mercedes, the young man who left his home in Nyahururu is currently a prestigious luxury vehicle sales center in Mombasa. It sells very good quality new vehicles as well as used cars.
Back home, the case that made him leave was settled , and he now maintains a great friendship with the man with whom he had an altercation
