Education is often touted as the path to success, but this is not always the case as can be seen in Nairobi where many graduates struggle to find employment. According to Trading Economics, the unemployment rate in Kenya is expected to reach 7.50 percent by the end of this quarter. In such a job market, finding a desirable job can feel like a distant dream.
However, this is not the case for Paul Kihuha, a class 8 dropout, who has created a thriving business from his garage. Kihuha, who is the founder of Protisa, a company that creates film equipment from scratch, earns an impressive KSH 100,000 daily. In an interview, Kihuha shared his journey of becoming a successful entrepreneur despite dropping out of school at an early age.
Kihuha’s passion for blacksmithing, just like his father, was sparked by a request from a friend. He started as a technician making jikos and vibandas and soon found himself exploring the music industry as a rapper. However, the high cost of producing music videos made this endeavor unfeasible. This setback gave rise to his idea of creating film equipment.
He began constructing camera cranes, which he sold for KSH 90,000, and was surprised by the potential of his talent. He eventually moved out of his friend’s workshop and opened his own garage in Uthiru, where his business Protisa took off. Kihuha, being the ninth child, named his company after his position in the family.
On a good day, Kihuha can earn up to KSH 3 million from repeat customers. This success story proves that education is not the only key to success and that determination, hard work, and a willingness to take risks can lead to a prosperous future.
