Getting big with little capital
Not most people think of investing the little money they earn into some business.
But 47-year-old Richard M’boola has proved it is possible to start up a business and be successful even with the smallest capital.
Today M’boola is a proud owner of a screen printing and signage shop specialising in printing T-shirts, golf shirts, mugs, umbrellas, bags, banners and other accessories.
“I cannot say I had thousands of kwacha when I started this business. I had a very little and did not wait to get more to start up my business. I used the little I earned to buy things one by one,” he says.
Mboola, who has been in the business for three years after he quit his job in the advertising industry, claims he is able to sustain his business because of determination and hard work.
“I used to do the screen printing at home because I did not have enough to open a shop but I never gave up and continued to save the little money I was making. Finally, with the determination I had to do more, I have today managed to grow and own a shop,” he said.
On a normal day, M’boola claims he gets not less than three customers and even gets more than that sometimes.
“There are a lot of people today who are doing the same business as such it requires one to be more creative and think outside the box to attain more customers. With that, I have managed to secure both big and small companies and even individuals as my clients because I strive to produce the best for them,” he says.
With the growing market of advertisement today, M’boola says he looks forward to government intervention in screen printing and signage business to keep it sustained.
“The raw material used in this business is mostly imported as such it is expensive. If government can reduce duty on such items, I believe we will be able to continue the business,” he said.
M’boola claims he has managed to fend for his family through the business.
“Through this business, I have managed to send my child to a good school and provide necessities for my family and even buy luxuries. I have also managed to make other investments.
“There is a high level of unemployment in the country mostly because people have not opened up to change. Most people seek white collar jobs not knowing it is not just white collar jobs that can put food on the table,” he says.
M’boola says people should understand that it is not possible for everyone to get white collar jobs but come in the open and try something they know, have passion for and they believe they can do it best.
