My dream to run bookstore comes true

For Jayanti Bhanderi the best decision he has ever made in his life is to quit his job.

And the leap of faith he took to start a bookshop after working for over 10 years in Eldoret is slowly turning his childhood dream of starting his own business empire into reality.

His outfit at the junction of the busy Mburu Gichua street and Maasai Avenue is a one-stop-shop dealing with a range of stationery, text books, school uniforms, laboratory and sports equipment as well as staff uniforms.

As the sun sets on the back to school shopping for the second term, the 8,000-square-feet Bookmart Supermarket has been a beehive of activities attracting students, parents, corporate customers and book-lovers due to its wide range of products.

“When I quit as a shop assistant in a bookshop in Eldoret, I came to Nakuru, found this building that was neglected and after surveying it, I decided this is the right place to set up my business,” the 31-year-old business graduate from Shardar Valbhi Patel University, in India, says.

Unlike many young entrepreneurs, who lose hope and focus in business soon after starting, Mr Jayanti says many young people venturing into business want to become rich overnight.

TRANSPARENT BUSINESS

“Patience is key. I waited for a decade to start my own enterprise and when I began the journey on July 2013, it was not a walk in the park as I was not able to pay my suppliers. I even struggled to pay rent and staff salaries,” Mr Jayanti told Money.

However, he turned to Diamond Trust Bank, which provided him with long-term financing plan that has seen the bookshop stock virtually all variety of text books.

“DTB Bank played a key role in stabilising my journey that was almost coming to an abrupt end,” he says.

Mr Jayanti believes that the best way to market such a venture is to provide quality service and treat every customer like a king.

Customer service

“Handling of customers with utmost care and offering the best service even when they are just window shopping is vital,” said the father of two.

Besides offering affordable prices and first class customer service, he says doing a transparent business with suppliers and your staff is crucial.

“The moment you are not transparent in your business deals, this will trickle down to the staff, who are your number one ambassadors and this will have a negative effect as the business will be known for all the wrong reasons,” he said

This business is regarded by many as seasonal and thrives during back-to-school seasons.

ALL SEASON OFFER

However, Mr Jayanti believes that it is an all-season business and has set up a strong sales team to go to schools, colleges and companies to market its products.

Is there money in this venture?

 “Yes, there is good money and the beauty of this industry is that there is an increasing number of pupils and students accessing primary and secondary education,” he adds.

“Unlike when I started, today I have no worries about paying my suppliers, rent, salaries and other levies and with proper planning and advertising, things can only get better,” he said.

He started with 18 staff but as the business expanded, he has employed 12 more people.

Like any other venture, the road to success has many hurdles.

“The main one being dead stock. Books that stay in the shelves for more than three months are a big risk because suppliers will always be on your neck demanding their payment,” he said.