The florist who started her flower business on credit

She took a leap of faith and resigned from her 8-5 job as a customer  service agent to start and focus on her flower business.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyatta University, Rachel Sintamei stayed for 2 years without a job. She woke up each morning hoping for a new dawn. Her prayers were answered in 2018 when she landed a job as a customer service agent.

Taking a risk

"One of the characteristics of an entrepreneur is being a risk taker."

After working for one year,  Sintamei  resigned to  start her entrepreneurial  journey. "I loved business studies while in high school and I remember my business teacher telling us that one of the characteristics of an entrepreneur is being a risk taker. The fear of going back into unemployment  was very alive and I didn't have capital for business but I was determined to fulfil my dream of starting a business," she says.

After resigning, Sinta started blogging and hosting podcasts at home. Her podcasts focused on manifesting wellness through spirituality, meditation, reading books and spending time outdoors. However,  the podcasts were purely for inspirational purposes for her followers.  She had to look for a source of income to support herself. "I've always had a dream to start a flower business and I felt that this was the moment to actualize  it."

She started her business  on credit

"I have a long time friend  who is a flower vendor and has been selling me flowers for my home decoration and when I told him about the idea of starting an online flower shop, he was ecstatic.  But I told him that I didn't have capital. He offered to give me four bouquets on credit.  I was to pay him back after I made the first sale, " she tells me.

"I took the 4 bouquets and posted them online. I got 3 orders on my first day, I paid the vendor and used the rest of the money to purchase bouquets for the next day.  That is how my flower business began. I sell flower bouquets for weddings,  private engagements such as birthdays, valentines, anniversaries, home and office decor set up."

She stocks yellow tulips, white roses and orange roses and she has a knack for creating customized flower designs according to a client's  preference. "This is the fifth month in this business! " she beams with excitement.

"If you want to treat someone with some flowers make Sintamei  your flower  plug!"

Start up challenges

 "I can go two days without any orders."

" As a young entrepreneur, there is just so much that can dampen your entrepreneurial  spirit. The major  problems that I face are; increased cost of production and lack of market. I can go two days without any orders. But that's the nature of business. However, my happy moments are when I  see satisfaction on a client's face."

Client base

"My greatest support  is my online community. My twitter followers  are making my dreams come true. Some are my clients others help me create awareness about my business by liking and sharing my products."

The 27 year old Narok born florist says her major clients are men. Sintamei sources flowers from her vendor in Ruiru, Kiambu  county.

What don't we know about Sintamei? 

"I love food and traveling. I also enjoy sarcasm. I've never watched  'Game of Thrones' and my favorite flower is the red rose."

Your sign out

"If you have a business dream, start small. I used to wish i could get lots of money to start this business and time passed me. I found out that I can start a business  without capital. Network, talk to the right people and maintain  relationships with them. I hope my business grows and that I can hire more hands. The best thing local businesses can do is support fellow local business. Imagine if we all built each other up!"