How Entrepreneur Café Nairobi will make you do the work and get your business going

The eighth meeting of the Nairobi Entrepreneurs had Business Models as its theme. And we went  right in it, in a very practical matter. With the help of a template from businessmodelgeneration.com we were able to put all the components of Zak’s business on one sheet into a great visual. Asking questions about his value proposition, his customer segments, the costs, resources and partners, we helped him get an overview over his business of importing Nigerian clothing material and selling it in Kenya.

A business built on relationships. It turned out quickly that his business is based on relationships with clients and people who sell for him. He was also able to identify the next step forward: to get a tailor who is an expert in making dresses in West-African style. In that way, he will be able to fulfil more needs of his customers and be of even better service to them.

He also hopes to start tapping into online marketing, but we established that the best option, regarding his business model, is to source it out. In that way, he will remain with enough time to take care of the relations to his customers and partners which are so essential for his business model and carry it forward. 

No quick money, but dedication and accountabilityThis was a new approach we tested: Being more hands-down practical and less talking. Because we want to push ourselves to actually see things happen in our own businesses instead of just discussing about it. 

Gilbert, an entrepreneur with a big interest in offshore business, came for exposure and networking. He realised that especially in Kenya, there are many business people who are interested in quick money. But Entrepreneur Café Nairobi remains free and targets entrepreneurs who want to build something for a cause. And the new strategy for our meetings will help participants do that.Homework to push things forward

In two weeks, Zak will have used the same technique, the Business Model Canvas, for another undertaking. Gilbert will work with Tekra, another new participant and writer by profession, to work out one block of the model for her, that is, what value proposition she has to offer. Antony will work on another block, the key partners, for a company he is in the process of building. And Laura will try to put her business idea on a canvas as well. In that way, we will have made one step further in our undertakings and be able to help and push each other at the next meeting.