ONE ON ONE WITH PETER KIHIKO "CAPTAIN" YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Young entrepreneur of the day "captain"

1.      Tell us more about yourself;

Im peter kihiko an entrepreneur 22yrs, living in Thika, born and raised in Nakuru County.

2.         What are you currently upto;

Planning to continue my university studies in September.

SHAYDEE Tours AND TRAVEL-Offering travel solutions such as car hire, taxi services and more related services.

3.      How did you start your business;

Initially started as a taxi driver in Nairobi CBD, Later started leasing vehicles from individuals and paying them monthly.

4.      Did you face any challenges when starting the business;

Having individuals to trust you with their vehicles were a bit of a problem acquiring them plus others giving out many unnecessary orders that pressured me a lot.

5.     What has been your greatest accomplishment so far;

     I have received clients from as far as Asia, Japan to be specific on, offered them with      necessities when it came to traveling and adventure in the country, many loved the company of my marketing  manager Alex and I and we were even forced to be guides for 1 week. We even spent    Valentines Day with them this year. I really enjoyed.

6.      Who are your customers;

Mainly I get clients coming from the companies and factories around Thika, students from Mount Kenya University, extended clients from Nairobi, plus I also get visitors from abroad once in a while.

7.      How do you market your products;

I have my marketing director Alex who is conversant with a wide range of people who eventually become clients, I have the business online especially on Whatsapp groups, Facebook, plus we give out flyers to companies.

8.      What was your source of startup capital;

I had my savings from the taxi business where I took a loan from my bank to propel my business.

9.      What challenges have you faced so far and how have you dealt with them;

Most of the times the car hire business has a lot of problems mainly when a client returns a vehicle in an unpleasant condition such as when the vehicle gets hit or is involved in accidents, either minor or major, some return vehicles late too and default payment. Thus such problems you forcing me to introduce rules like payment of a certain amount of refundable deposit when the car is returned in good condition. I am sometimes forced to intervene the law.

10.  What would be your advice to young startups in your field;

Car hire needs people with the heart to take risks as an entrepreneur, courage and determination is also key and very much important. Ambition and the desire to grow is what makes me rise day by week.

11.  To what or whom do you attribute your success to;

First and foremost I thank GOD and my parents for the support all through, in thin and thick they have always accommodated me. I also thank Mr. Lewis Kiyana, my friends from MKU and Thika who have been so supportive including Alex and Star boy Chrome from Grandpa Records.

12.  What is unique about your business;

The uniqueness in it is that we offer services in a town that is industrious and services are offered by very young people and get to blend with all kind of clients. There is also no much competition thou the current one is very healthy.

13.  Do you have any partnerships?

I get partnerships from other car hire companies around Thika where I offer them vehicles when theirs are out of stock and vice versa. I am also planning to incorporate a well established car hire company from Nairobi CBD to the market here in Thika.

14.  What do you look forward for in the future;

In future am eyeing on been the largest Travel Logistics Company in Thika, and who knows, I might top the list in the Kenyan market.

15.  How do you balance academics with business;

Planning to join virtual learning when I go back to university in September, so that I cannot have a big workload.

16.  Does your business have presence in social media, if yes share the accounts;

A website is currently underway, a face book page  Shaydee Tours and Travel  plus a whatsapp group.

17.  What’s your parting short words for fellow entrepreneurs and fans of Kenya Moja;

We need more entrepreneurs and small companies to become big companies or even outdo the current ones, let’s take risks as young people to be able grow businesses. There are difficulties expanding beyond the shores of our ability, but the other is just basically lack of ambition.

18.  Do you have anything additional to say;

Let me take this opportunity to highly thank Kenya Moja for this opportunity for the interview and also knowing that there are entrepreneurs who are young and energetic ready to move the economy forward. I am really honored. 

Thanks for the interview.