She Had Just KSh 40,000 — and a Dream She Couldn’t Shake

What can you really do with KSh 40,000 in Kenya today?
For some, it might feel like pocket change — barely enough to survive a month.

But for others, like Rose, it was the key to building something real. Something profitable. Something empowering.

And with a little help from Upsell, Rose didn’t just start a business — she built a brand.

It Started With Frustration — and a Dream

Rose was like many young Kenyans: hardworking, ambitious, and tired of waiting.

After countless job applications and small gigs that barely paid, she sat in her bedsitter one evening with just over KSh 40,000 in savings and one burning question:
“Can I actually start a real business with this?”

That moment changed everything.

Discovering a Low-Cost, High-Profit Opportunity

Like many hustlers, Rose learned a lot from TikTok, YouTube, and late-night Google searches.

One day, she stumbled on content about importing lightweight products from China — small electronics, beauty tools, fashion accessories, and kitchen gadgets.

The math was simple:

• Buy in bulk at KSh 100–200 per unit

• Sell locally at KSh 500–1,500

• Keep it simple, affordable, and in-demand

It sounded too good to be true, but Rose did her research.
She contacted shipping agents, joined WhatsApp groups, and wrote down every detail.

Then she took the leap — using her KSh 40,000 to place her very first order.

Her Game-Changer? She Used Upsell from Day One

Here’s where the story gets exciting.

Before her products even arrived, Rose set up a free online store using Upsell.

She uploaded product mockups, wrote simple descriptions, and added an early-bird discount.
She shared her Upsell shop link on:

• ✅ WhatsApp status

• ✅ Instagram stories

• ✅ TikTok videos showing “behind the scenes”

And guess what? Orders started coming in.

People were drawn in not just by her products, but by her story.
She wasn’t just selling — she was building a journey, and her audience loved it.

How Upsell Helped Rose Sell Smarter

Rose didn’t have a physical shop. She didn’t have a big team.

But she had Upsell — and that gave her the tools and confidence to operate like a pro.

With Upsell, she was able to:

• ✅ Create a simple mobile store (no coding)

• ✅ Accept M-PESA, card, or bank payments

• ✅ Track orders and inventory automatically

• ✅ Set delivery options and send updates

• ✅ Offer discounts, run promos, and upsell new items

Even on slow days or with delivery delays, Upsell helped her stay professional.
Her buyers trusted her — and they came back again and again.

A Look at Her Budget Breakdown

Here’s how she wisely spent her KSh 40,000:

She kept it lean, focused, and scalable.

From One Sale to Many

Within just a few weeks of launching, Rose had sold over 80% of her initial stock — all through her Upsell shop.

She reinvested her profits to:

• Import new product categories

• Offer limited-edition bundles

• Launch seasonal discounts

• Run referral rewards through Upsell’s system

Every new customer came with a story — and Rose captured those testimonials, shared them, and used them to build more trust.

“I love buying from Rose — her packaging is clean, delivery is fast, and she’s always responsive on WhatsApp.”
– Happy Customer, Nairobi

 

 

What Rose Would Tell Other Hustlers

When asked what she’d say to other young Kenyans who are afraid to start, here’s what Rose said:

“You don’t need 100K to start. You don’t need a shop in town.
You just need courage, the right products, and a tool like Upsell to run your hustle.”

She went on to say that Upsell made her feel seen — like she was running a serious business, even from her phone.

Why Upsell is the Ideal Platform for Small Businesses

Whether you’re importing goods, selling homemade products, or running a side hustle, Upsell helps you do it better.

• ✔️ Build trust with customers

• ✔️ Get paid easily via M-PESA

• ✔️ Manage your business in one dashboard

• ✔️ Grow faster with built-in marketing tools

And just like Rose, you don’t need to have everything figured out — you just need to start.

🌟 Ready to Start Your Own Success Story?

If you're sitting on some savings, a great idea, or even just a dream — this is your moment.

You don’t have to wait.
You don’t have to guess.

Start smart. Start small. Start with Upsell.

Create your free store today at Upsell.co.ke
Because if Rose could turn KSh 40,000 into a thriving online business — so can you.