In this article, I will provide you with a guideline on how to start your laundry business in Kenya and make a living. Starting a laundry business in Kenya is a lucrative venture. Keeping cleanliness is a top priority in our daily lives, but sometimes it can be hectic due to tight work schedules.
A great concept for generating revenue is to open a laundry business in a town. Starting your small business today can help in-reducing unemployment rates in the country.
According to FSD, micro and small enterprises (MSEs) significantly contribute to inclusive growth and livelihoods in Kenya. Over 90% of private sector businesses, 24% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), and 93% of the labor force are all accounted for by them.
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Laundry business in Kenya
- Create a good and effective business plan. A business plan should help you decide your budget, equipment, and how to price your service.
- Acquire necessary business permit. Having the required permits and licenses will keep your business out of trouble with the authority. For a start-up laundry business, the license fee is Ksh. 10000, but the price varies depending on location and business size.
- Select your business location. Location is an essential aspect of a laundry business. The best place to set up your business is in urban centers, near hospitals, daycares, offices, and residential areas.
- Purchase the necessary business equipment. When buying your equipment ensure they are of good quality to avoid added expenses. However, if you have a low capital you can opt for second-hand equipment and ensure they are effectively working before buying.
- Get an employer identification number.
- Hire skilled labor. It’s impossible to carry out all the laundry business activities by yourself hence you need to employ more hands.
- Get insurance cover for your business. The cost of setting up a laundry business is high, and you need to cover any possible risk. Some of the risks to cover are; fire, theft, and floods.
- Business marketing. For the first few days or weeks, you may have few to no customers that’s why marketing your business is significant. Create awareness for your business through flyers, business cards, social media sponsored ads, and referrals.
Laundry Business Startup Cost in Kenya
Starting a small laundry business requires a capital of Ksh. 100,000 to Ksh. 250,000. This capital can curb the following things;
- Washing Machine – Ksh 35,000
- Folding table/stand – Ksh 12,500
- Ironing stand – Ksh 2500
- Interior Design – Ksh 15,000
- Other furniture – Ksh 10,000
- Iron Box – Ksh 3,000
- Business permits – Ksh 10,000
- Rent -Ksh 15,000 to Ksh.20, 000
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Profitability
Once you discover a proper business location, running a laundry service may be successful. Look for busy places with people working in offices. In a poor month, you may still turn a profit of at least Ksh 30,000. However, several factors influence the success of a laundry business, including location, price, and competition.