Starting a business is rarely as glamorous as it looks on social media. Patrick Karzola, a young businessman and graduate of the University of Nairobi, knows this well. In a recent conversation on Mwelekeo TV with host Lorna Kadide, he shared honest stories from his own journey that go beyond the usual advice given to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Patrick began his path back in 2015 during his first year at university. He joined a group called Grand Investment with about 30 members. Each person contributed 500 Kenyan shillings every month, creating a small pool of money.
With that, the group took a loan to buy a pool table. They paid back the loan within a month and used the business as a starting point.
It was a simple idea, but it taught him an important lesson: you do not need huge amounts of money to begin.
Even 50,000 shillings can get something going, and with careful planning, a larger budget can start small and grow.
He defines entrepreneurship as spotting opportunities in the market to make a profit, while also accepting that losses can happen. The goal is to solve real needs and keep improving. Along the way, Patrick has faced many common challenges that young people in Kenya encounter.
Limited capital is the biggest one. Many of his peers struggle because they lack clear ways to access funds or support.
He also dealt with legal issues, like when his pool table business faced court problems for not following proper guidelines.
Management skills and proper planning matter too, which is why he is now pursuing an MBA.
One of his early mistakes was trying to start too big. He once invested 400,000 shillings in a car wash business, hoping for quick success. It did not work out, and he lost money because the operation was overambitious.
He learned to begin small, focus on making it run smoothly first, and then expand later. Another regret came when he closed a fish business three years ago to take up formal employment.
He now plans to restart it because he sees the potential. Failures like these are normal, he says. The key is to balance losses with profits over time and not give up.
Patrick often forms partnerships with friends to share both ideas and capital. For example, a group of five people might put in 200,000 shillings each to reach one million.
He believes in not being selfish with ideas sharing them can open doors for collaboration. Many successful entrepreneurs he knows started with borrowed money from savings groups or circles.
Building a network is also crucial. Good relationships bring referrals, advice, and learning opportunities.
Social media and technology now play a big role. Patrick uses platforms like TikTok and Instagram to market his cleaning company and other ventures. Customers can order services online without even visiting in person.
This has changed how businesses operate, especially for younger people.He also talks about the human side of running a business.
Sometimes he feels like quitting, but the responsibilities and the people who look up to him keep him going. He left a banking job after three years because it felt too robotic and limited his learning.
Entrepreneurship, he believes, pushes you to keep growing and creating new systems, unlike a fixed employment routine.
For young people thinking of starting, Patrick’s advice is practical. Research your field and understand where to begin. Start with whatever you have even 5,000 shillings or just an idea. Partner with trusted friends instead of trying to do everything alone.
Be ready to change strategies when something is not working, because markets keep evolving. It is not an easy road like a salary job.
There will be losses and hard days, but if you build steadily, the rewards can be much better in the long run.
After several years, consistent effort can lead to good monthly earnings.
Beyond making money, Patrick sees entrepreneurship as a way to create impact. His businesses have employed friends and people from his village. One worker used earnings from the pool table to pay school fees.
He encourages giving back to the community and using business to fight issues like youth idleness or drug problems.
Patrick’s story is about resilience and purpose. Entrepreneurship is not only about profit. It is about learning from real struggles, staying persistent, and building something that helps both yourself and the people around you. Young Kenyans who want to start should focus on small, steady steps rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
With the right mindset, even limited resources can grow into something meaningful.
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