After 36 years, book store is still going strong

Selling textbooks and school accessories is considered a seasonal business but Emmanuel Masikonde’s book store is now in its 36th year. His enterprise is a name to reckon with in Nakuru and its environs.

Mr Masikonde started off in Narok in 1979 but relocated to Nakuru two years later when the business failed to break even due to lack of learning institutions in Narok then.

Books’ business is usually on its peak in the first two months of the year, January and February, but it quickly fizzles out as the back-to-school wave ends, a trend that has seen many traders close shop.

But for Mr Masikonde, his patience and focus has seen him open a one-stop supermarket, which supplies virtually all the school items needed by learners.

And to ensure continuity, the entrepreneur has incorporated his son James in the running of the business.

GOING DIGITAL

This as he intends to expand his business to other towns to ease the pains parents go through when shopping for the goods needed by their children when joining schools.

“I realised that parents were spending a lot of time moving from one shop to another while they were taking their children to school. When I introduced the idea of one stop shop, it was a great deal,” he said.

Ereto bookshop has grown to be one the leading stationery sellers in Nakuru employing over 60 members of staff in various departments.

“While the shop mainly deals in stationery, we also trade in toiletries, mattresses, blankets and uniforms. We provide everything that a student requires in school. From our shop, they head straight to school,” said Mr Masikonde.

Using an electronic system, the trader ensures efficient service delivery and record keeping of his stock.

“We have also introduced online shopping where parents send us shopping lists. We process a voucher and deliver goods upon payment of cash or bank deposits to our accounts. This is time saving especially among parents with busy schedules,” he added.

Mr Masikonde was faced with numerous challenges starting the business, but this did not stop his dream.

“I started the business with books worth Sh35,000 some of which I later realised had been phased out by the ministry of Education. I incurred losses but I did not give up,” he added.

He says his love for literature and exposure in the sector has seen him establish what to offer in his one stop shop.

His dream was to establish a shop supplying educational, office and household goods to the family, one that is reputed for excellent customer services.

DEAD STOCK

Today, he also sells science laboratory chemicals and equipment.

For one to reap profits, a lot of patience, discipline and focus is required, he counsels aspiring entrepreneurs.

Mr Masikonde recalls that while still fresh in the business, it was difficult to secure a loan as local banks did not trust him and neither could book suppliers deliver books without instant payment.

“Many people give up when they realise that it is not a full year business but the few months’ high season is rewarding,” he said.

But all is not rosy as an emerging trend of second-hand book sellers is slowly eating into his business with the situation being worsened by frequent phasing out of textbooks, which leaves bookshops with study materials, which they are unable to offload.

Mr Masikonde plans to expand his business by opening branches in Kisumu and Eldoret later this year.