Small Ideas You Can Start Now, Right Where You Are
You do not need a loan, a degree, or permission to begin. You need one idea that fits your life, and the courage to take the first step. Here are six real business ideas in Kenya that women are building today, most of them for less than the cost of a night out.
How to choose the right idea for you
The best business is the one that matches what you already have: a skill, a phone, a little time and people who know you. Ask yourself three questions about each idea below.
- Can I start with money I already have, without borrowing?
- Do I know where my first five customers are?
- Can I fit it around my job, my children and my other duties?
If you can say yes to all three, that is your starting point. The start-up costs shown are rough guides, so prices in your area may be higher or lower.
Real businesses, real starting costs
1. Office Lunch Delivery
From about KSh 3,000Cook hot, home-style lunches and deliver to busy workers in offices near you. Start with a few regulars and grow by word of mouth.
- What you need
- Cooking pots, insulated flasks or food warmers, take-away containers, and a short menu of two or three meals you cook really well.
- Finding your first customers
- Start with offices within walking distance. Ask a friend who works there to share your menu in their WhatsApp group, and take orders by 9am for lunch the same day.
- Watch out for
- Late payment. Ask for M-Pesa before delivery, or sell weekly prepaid lunches. Food businesses also usually need a health certificate, so ask your county office.
Work out your profit per plate with our Side Hustle Profit Calculator.
2. Curated Mitumba
From about KSh 5,000Hand-pick quality second-hand clothes and sell them clean and styled, online or from home. Your eye for what looks good is the business.
- What you need
- A few carefully chosen pieces or a small bale, washing and ironing supplies, and a phone for clear daylight photos.
- Finding your first customers
- Friends, colleagues and WhatsApp groups. Sell in a set “drop” each week, with photos and prices, so people know when to look.
- Watch out for
- Buying too much too soon. A bale can be a gamble, so buy from a seller you trust, count only the pieces you can really sell, and keep a record of what each piece cost.
See what is really left after fare and stock with the Side Hustle Profit Calculator.
3. Home Baking and Snacks
From about KSh 2,000Mandazi, cakes, samosas, or chapati made to order for events, offices, and neighbours. A trusted kitchen becomes a steady income.
- What you need
- The oven or jiko you already have, a few tins, ingredients, clean packaging, and one or two recipes you can make well every time.
- Finding your first customers
- Neighbours, church and chama events, school functions and nearby offices. Offer a small tasting so people can try before they order.
- Watch out for
- Pricing too low. Include gas or electricity, packaging and your own time, not just ingredients. Take a deposit on large orders, and check county rules for food sales.
Test your prices with the Side Hustle Profit Calculator.
4. Social Media for Small Shops
Start with KSh 0Many local businesses have no time to post. Run their WhatsApp and Instagram for a monthly fee, all from your phone.
- What you need
- A smartphone, data bundles, a free design app, and two or three small shops you already know.
- Finding your first customers
- Pick a salon, a boutique or a hardware shop in your area. Offer to post for them for one month, show the results, then agree a monthly fee.
- Watch out for
- Unclear promises. Write down exactly what you will do, for example twelve posts a month, and the date you will be paid. Do not promise sales, only the work you control.
Plan your monthly income with the Jasiri Money Planner.
5. Beauty from Home
From about KSh 3,000Braiding, nails, or simple facials, done from your home or theirs. Skills you may already have, turned into bookings.
- What you need
- A basic kit for your chosen service, hygiene supplies, a clean corner with good light, and WhatsApp for bookings.
- Finding your first customers
- Friends and family first. With their permission, take before-and-after photos, and offer a small discount for every friend they bring.
- Watch out for
- Hygiene and no-shows. Clean your tools between clients, and ask for a small M-Pesa deposit to hold a booking.
Check your monthly profit with the Side Hustle Profit Calculator.
6. Kienyeji Farming
From about KSh 4,000Chickens, eggs, or vegetables from a small space. Reliable, always in demand, and something you can grow at your own pace.
- What you need
- A small, secure shelter, feeders and drinkers, chicks or seedlings, and feed. Start with a small number so you can learn before you grow.
- Finding your first customers
- Neighbours, market traders and small hotels. Sell eggs by the tray, and keep a regular day for deliveries.
- Watch out for
- Disease and feed costs. Ask your local agrovet or county livestock officer about vaccination and good feeding before you buy your first birds.
Plan your growth with the Money Market Fund Calculator once profits start coming in.
Check the numbers before you spend a shilling
An idea can feel exciting and still lose money. Our free tools show you the truth before you commit.
- Side Hustle Profit Calculator: what your business really earns after stock, fare, airtime and M-Pesa charges.
- Chama Business Loan Readiness Calculator: whether your chama or SACCO could back you, and how much you could safely borrow.
- Jasiri Money Planner: how much you can set aside each month to fund your start-up.
A simple plan to get started
- Pick one idea. Not three. Choose the one you answered yes to on all three questions.
- Write down your costs. List everything you must buy, and what you would charge per sale.
- Test it small. Make or offer a small batch and sell to ten people you know.
- Ask for feedback. What did they like? What would they pay for next time?
- Keep your money separate. Use a separate M-Pesa or bank account for the business so you can see your profit clearly.
Questions about starting a small business in Kenya
Which business idea needs the least money?
Social media for small shops can start with KSh 0 because you use a phone you already own. Home baking is the next lowest at about KSh 2,000.
Do I need a licence?
Many small businesses need a single business permit from their county, and food businesses usually need a health certificate too. Rules and fees differ by county, so ask your county office before you start.
Can I start while I have a job?
Yes, many women begin in the evenings and at weekends. Check your employment contract first, in case it limits outside work.
How do I know if the idea will make money?
Work out your costs and your selling price, then test with a small batch before you spend more. The Side Hustle Profit Calculator does the sums for you.
One real idea, every Saturday
Mwanamke Jasiri sends you a fresh business idea and a simple plan to start it, every single week. Free, for the woman who is done waiting.
Subscribe FreeStart-up costs are rough guides and will vary by area and supplier. This page is general information, not business, legal or financial advice. Check licence rules with your county before you begin.