Martin-Kayiwa
What do you trade?
Garments like jeans for both ladies and gents, school and hand bags, belts, wallets and other simple stuff. I import all things from China, about five times a year. I was into clearing and forwarding for sometime but I quit.
For how long have you been doing business?
It been like one and a half years. After I completed my Bachelors degree in marketing at Mubs in 2010, I saved about $10,000 and started with a stock of $7,000 as the remaining $3,000 dollars catered for my air ticket and accommodation in China.
How do you then get the goods out of China?
I make an order at the factories, finalise all paper work and return home to Uganda. When my order is ready, they call me up and I tell them to ship to Mombasa where I pick them from, upon arrival. Shipping takes about two months.
Do you sell out upon unloading the container?
Well, sometimes I sell out all my items. Once I get to the shop I can sell stuff worth Shs10m or more by midday and the lowest I can sell on a terrible day is Shs500,000.
What makes you’re venture unique?
I’m assured of a customer every day, it’s a sweet business though it requires lots of capital and patience.