Grade 7
Course ContentBusiness ideas
Habari Mwanafunzi! Let's Talk Business Ideas!
Have you ever been stuck in traffic and thought, "There must be a better way to deliver packages"? Or have you seen your friends struggling to find affordable, healthy snacks at school? If you have, then congratulations! You've already taken the first step to becoming an entrepreneur. You've spotted a problem. Today, we are going to learn how to turn those everyday problems and observations into brilliant business ideas!
A business idea is more than just a dream; it's a seed. With the right care, it can grow into a successful company, just like M-Pesa started as a simple idea to help people send money home easily. So, let's get ready to plant some seeds of our own!
Image Suggestion: A vibrant, colourful, and busy outdoor market scene in Kenya, like City Market or a local estate market. In the foreground, a young student is looking thoughtfully at a mama mboga's stall, with a lightbulb icon appearing above their head. The style should be bright and optimistic.
What Exactly is a Business Idea?
A business idea is a concept for a product or service that can be offered to customers for money. It's the starting point of any business venture. Think of it as a solution to a problem or a way to satisfy a want.
But wait, is every idea a business opportunity? Not quite!
- Idea: "I will sell ice cream on the moon." (This is just a thought, likely impossible right now!)
- Business Opportunity: "I will sell delicious, locally-made ice cream outside my school on hot afternoons." (This is a realistic idea with potential customers!)
A business opportunity is a proven idea that has a real chance to make a profit in the real world.
Where Do Brilliant Business Ideas Come From?
Great ideas are all around you! You just need to know where to look. Here are some common sources, with examples you might recognise:
-
Observing Your Surroundings (Gaps in the Market): Look for what's missing! What do people in your community complain about?
Example: Amina noticed that many people in her estate had to walk 2 kilometres to the nearest cyber café to print or photocopy documents. She convinced her parents to help her buy a small printer and started offering printing services from her home. She filled a gap in the market!
-
Hobbies and Talents: What are you good at? What do you love doing? You can turn your passion into profit.
Are you a great artist? You could design posters. Do you love baking? You could sell mandazis or cakes. Are you a computer whiz? You could help neighbours fix their phones.
-
Media (TV, Radio, Internet, Newspapers): The media is always talking about new trends and challenges.
For example, you might see a story on Citizen TV about the problem of plastic pollution. This could spark an idea to start a business collecting plastic bottles and selling them to recycling companies, or even making creative crafts from them.
-
Waste as a Resource (Recycling): One person's trash is another's treasure! Many successful Kenyan businesses are built on this.
Think of companies that turn old tyres into beautiful garden furniture or plastic bags into durable handbags. This is a fantastic way to make money while also cleaning up our environment.
- Trade Fairs and Exhibitions: Visiting events like the Nairobi International Trade Fair can show you new inventions and what other businesses are doing, sparking your own unique idea.
Image Suggestion: A young, creative Kenyan student in their school uniform, sitting at a desk surrounded by art supplies. They are proudly holding up a hand-drawn comic book they've created. The style should be inspiring and youthful.
Is My Idea a Golden Opportunity? Evaluating Your Idea
Having an idea is exciting, but before you invest your time and money, you need to check if it's a real opportunity. You need to ask the tough questions! Here is a simple flowchart to guide your thinking:
[ My Awesome Idea! ]
|
V
+-----------------------+
| Is there a real need? | --(No)--> [ Rethink Idea ]
| (Do people want this?) |
+-----------------------+
| (Yes!)
V
+-----------------------+
| Can I actually do it? | --(No)--> [ Gain Skills/Find Help ]
| (Skills/Resources) |
+-----------------------+
| (Yes!)
V
+-----------------------+
| Can it make money? | --(No)--> [ Adjust Prices/Costs ]
| (Is it profitable?) |
+-----------------------+
| (Yes!)
V
[ Congratulations! ]
[You have a Business Opportunity!]
To check for profitability, you need to do some simple math. Let's look at an example.
Let's Do The Math: The "Smokie Pasua" Business
Imagine you want to sell "smokie pasua" (a smokie sausage split and filled with kachumbari) after school. Let's calculate your potential profit.
--- COSTS (What you spend) ---
1. Packet of 22 smokies: KES 330
Cost per smokie = 330 / 22 = KES 15
2. Kachumbari ingredients (tomatoes, onions) for 22 smokies: KES 50
Cost of kachumbari per smokie = 50 / 22 = ~KES 2.30
3. Tomato Sauce (small bottle): KES 20 (let's say it serves all 22)
Cost of sauce per smokie = 20 / 22 = ~KES 0.90
TOTAL COST PER SMOKIE = 15 + 2.30 + 0.90 = KES 18.20
--- REVENUE (What you earn) ---
Selling Price per smokie pasua: KES 30
--- PROFIT (Revenue - Costs) ---
Profit per smokie = Selling Price - Total Cost
Profit per smokie = 30 - 18.20 = KES 11.80
If you sell all 22 smokies in one afternoon:
Total Profit = Profit per smokie * Number of smokies
Total Profit = 11.80 * 22 = KES 259.60
By doing this simple calculation, you can see that your idea is profitable! For a small effort, you can make over KES 250 every day. That's a great business opportunity!
You Are the Future!
Every big company you see today, from Safaricom to your local supermarket, started with a single idea. The key is to keep your eyes open, stay curious, and don't be afraid to think differently. Look for problems to solve, needs to meet, and ways to make life in your community a little bit better.
Your journey as a business leader starts now. What problems will you solve? What amazing ideas are waiting for you to discover?
Habari Mwanafunzi! Ready to Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur?
Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wished there was a faster way to get a package across town? Or maybe you've seen your local mama mboga struggling to keep her vegetables fresh? Every single one of these problems is a secret opportunity. It's a business idea waiting to be discovered! Today, we are going on an exciting journey to learn how to find and develop your own brilliant business ideas. The next big Kenyan success story, like M-Pesa or Twiga Foods, started exactly like this: with a simple idea.
A Business Idea is a concept for a product or service that can be sold to customers to make a profit. Think of it as a seed (mbegu). With the right care—research, planning, and hard work—it can grow into a mighty tree (a successful business)!
Where Do Brilliant Business Ideas Come From?
Business ideas are all around us! You just need to know where to look. Here are some of the most common sources:
- Solving a Problem (Finding a Gap): This is the number one source of great ideas. What frustrates people in your community?
Example: In many towns, getting your gas cylinder refilled means carrying it a long way. A business idea could be a simple boda-boda service that picks up empty cylinders, gets them refilled, and delivers them back for a small fee. They solved a common, annoying problem!
- Using Your Skills and Talents: What are you naturally good at? What do people always ask you for help with?
Example: If you are a fantastic artist, you could start a business designing unique event posters for local churches, schools, or businesses. Your talent becomes your product.
- Improving an Existing Product or Service: You don't always have to invent something new. You can make an existing thing better, faster, or cheaper.
Example: The local chapati seller is successful. But you could improve on her business by offering pre-made chapati dough for busy families who want to cook them fresh at home. Same product, new convenience!
- Hobbies and Interests: What do you love to do for fun? Your passion can become your paycheck!
Example: Someone who loves fashion and finding unique clothes at Gikomba or Toi market could start an online thrift store ("mitumba-flip"), where they style and sell cool outfits on Instagram.
- Using Waste Materials (Upcycling): In Kenya, we are experts at being resourceful! One person's trash can be another's treasure.
Example: The skilled jua kali artisans who take old tyres and turn them into strong, stylish sandals (akala) or use scrap metal to create beautiful sculptures.
Image Suggestion: [A vibrant, colourful collage showing different Kenyan small businesses in action: a boda-boda rider delivering a gas cylinder, a young person styling clothes for an online photo, a Jua Kali artisan welding a sculpture from scrap metal, and a mama mboga smiling at her neat stall. The style should be bright and optimistic.]
The Journey: From a Thought to a Solid Idea
An idea doesn't just appear fully formed. It goes through a process. Think of it like cooking ugali—you need the right steps!
+-------------------------+
| Step 1: BRAINSTORM | <-- (Think of many ideas, anything goes!)
| (Kufikiria Mawazo) |
+-------------------------+
|
v
+-------------------------+
| Step 2: SPOT A NEED | <-- (Which idea solves a real problem?)
| (Kutambua Uhitaji) |
+-------------------------+
|
v
+-------------------------+
| Step 3: CREATE SOLUTION | <-- (How will your product/service fix it?)
| (Kubuni Suluhisho) |
+-------------------------+
|
v
+-------------------------+
| Step 4: EVALUATE | <-- (Is it a GOOD idea? Can it make money?)
| (Kutathmini Wazo) |
+-------------------------+
Is Your Idea a Winner? The "P.V.P" Test!
Not every idea is a great business idea. Before you get too excited, you must evaluate it. A simple way is the P.V.P Test: Profitable, Viable, Passionate.
- P - Profitable: Can this idea actually make money? You need to sell your product or service for more than it costs to make or deliver it.
- V - Viable: Can you realistically do it? Do you have (or can you get) the skills, time, and resources (like money or equipment) to start? Is there a real market of people willing to buy?
- P - Passionate: Do you care about this idea? Running a business is hard work. Your passion will keep you going when things get tough!
Let's look at the "Profitable" part with a simple calculation. Imagine you want to sell homemade fruit smoothies at your local sports ground.
--- STEP-BY-STEP CALCULATION: Smoothie Profit ---
1. Calculate the Cost Per Smoothie (Cost of Goods Sold):
- Mangoes, Pineapples, Bananas per cup = KES 30
- Yoghurt per cup = KES 15
- The cup and straw = KES 5
-------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST PER SMOOTHIE = KES 50
2. Set a Selling Price:
- You decide to sell each smoothie for = KES 120
3. Calculate the Profit Per Smoothie:
- Profit = Selling Price - Total Cost
- Profit = KES 120 - KES 50
- Profit Per Smoothie = KES 70
4. Estimate Your Total Profit for a day:
- If you sell 30 smoothies on a Saturday...
- Total Profit = Profit Per Smoothie x Number Sold
- Total Profit = KES 70 x 30
- TOTAL DAILY PROFIT = KES 2,100
Seeing the numbers helps you decide if the idea is profitable enough to pursue!
Image Suggestion: [A close-up shot of a student's notebook. On the page, the "Smoothie Profit" calculation is neatly handwritten. Next to the notebook is a tall, delicious-looking mango smoothie with a colourful straw, and some fresh fruits (mango, pineapple) are scattered around. The style is flat-lay and educational.]
Your Turn! The Idea Challenge
Now it's your time to be the entrepreneur! Look around you. At home, at school, in your neighbourhood.
- Identify THREE problems, big or small. (e.g., "Our school playground has no shady places to sit," "My neighbours struggle to find a reliable person to wash their cars," "It's hard to get fresh bread in the evening.")
- For each problem, brainstorm ONE business idea that could solve it.
- Choose your best idea and try the P.V.P Test. Is it Profitable, Viable, and are you Passionate about it?
Remember, every great business you see today started as a small idea in someone's mind. Your mind is full of amazing ideas. Now you have the tools to find them. Go on, the next great Kenyan entrepreneur could be you!
Mambo Vipi, Future CEO! Let's Dive into the World of Business Ideas!
Habari yako? Welcome to your first big step into the amazing world of business! Have you ever seen someone selling smokies and eggs by the roadside and thought, "That's a smart business!"? Or maybe you've complained that there's no good place to get a haircut in your estate? Well, my friend, those thoughts are the tiny seeds from which giant business empires grow. Today, we're going to learn how to find and nurture those seeds. Ready? Let's begin!
What Exactly is a Business Idea?
Think of a business idea as a plan to solve a problem for people in a way that makes you money (profit). It’s not just about selling something; it’s about offering a product (like a delicious mandazi) or a service (like repairing a phone) that someone needs or wants and is willing to pay for.
A good business idea answers a simple question: "What problem can I solve for my community?"
Kenya's Brightest Idea? M-PESA!
Back in the day, sending money to your relatives in the village was difficult and slow. You had to use a bus driver or wait for someone to travel. Safaricom saw this huge problem and came up with a simple idea: "What if people could send and receive money using their phones?" And just like that, M-PESA was born! It solved a massive problem for millions of Kenyans and became one of the most successful businesses in Africa.
Where Do These Brilliant Ideas Hide? (Sources of Business Ideas)
Great ideas are all around us! You just need to know where to look. Here are some common places to find your next big idea:
- Hobbies and Talents: Are you amazing at drawing? Baking? Fixing things? Your personal skills can be turned into a business. If you bake the best cakes in your family, maybe others would pay for them too!
- Observing Your Environment (Finding Gaps): Look around your school or neighborhood. What is missing? What service do people complain about? Maybe there's no M-Pesa agent nearby, or the local shop always runs out of bread. That's a business opportunity, a gap in the market, waiting for you!
- Listening to Complaints: Pay attention to what people complain about. "Ugh, this boda boda ride is so expensive!" could spark an idea for a more affordable transport service. "I wish there was a place that sold fresh juice," could be your cue to start a juice bar.
- Mass Media (Internet, TV, Newspapers): Watching a show about successful farmers in Eldoret might inspire you to start a small vegetable garden. Reading a blog about online businesses could give you the idea to sell customized phone cases on Instagram.
- Waste Materials (Recycling): One person's trash is another's treasure! Many successful Kenyan businesses have started from recycling. Think about people who make beautiful handbags from plastic bags, or those who create charcoal briquettes from coconut husks and farm waste.
Image Suggestion:[A vibrant, colourful, and busy Gikomba market scene in Nairobi. In the foreground, a young person is carefully sorting through second-hand clothes (mitumba) with a focused and entrepreneurial look on their face. The style should be realistic and full of energy, capturing the spirit of Kenyan hustle.]
The Journey from an Idea to a Business
Having an idea is the first step. But how do you turn that thought into a real, operating business? It’s a journey with a few important stops.
+-----------------+
| Your Awesome |
| Business Idea | ----> (You think of it!)
+-----------------+
|
|
v
+-----------------+
| Research | ----> (Is it a good idea? Who are my customers?)
| & Feasibility |
+-----------------+
|
|
v
+-----------------+
| Business Plan | ----> (Write down your plan: money, marketing...)
+-----------------+
|
|
v
+-----------------+
| LAUNCH! | ----> (Start your business!)
| (Kazi Ianze) |
+-----------------+
Let's Do the Math: Calculating Your Startup Costs
Every business needs some money to start. This is called startup capital. You need to calculate how much you need so you can plan properly. Let's imagine you want to start a small "Smokie Pasua" business outside your local shops. What would you need?
--- JUMA'S SMOKIE PASUA STARTUP COSTS ---
1. Fixed Costs (Things you buy once)
- Trolley/Stand (Mkokoteni): KSh 2,500
- Charcoal Stove (Jiko): KSh 500
- Large Flask (for the smokies): KSh 800
- Cutting Board & Knife: KSh 200
- Squeeze Bottles (for kachumbari): KSh 100
-------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL (FIXED): KSh 4,100
2. Variable Costs (Things you buy regularly - for one day's stock)
- Packet of Smokies (50 pcs): KSh 1,000
- Packet of Eggs (1 Crate): KSh 350
- Tomatoes, Onions, Dhania: KSh 150
- Bag of Charcoal: KSh 50
-------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL (VARIABLE): KSh 1,550
3. TOTAL STARTUP CAPITAL NEEDED:
Fixed Costs + Variable Costs = Total
KSh 4,100 + KSh 1,550 = KSh 5,650
-------------------------------------------------
So, Juma needs approximately KSh 5,650 to start his business.
See? By breaking it down, the big idea of "starting a business" becomes a clear, manageable plan. You now have a specific goal to save for!
Image Suggestion:[A confident and happy young Kenyan entrepreneur, maybe 18 years old, standing proudly next to their modern, clean smokie/egg trolley. They are using their smartphone, perhaps checking M-Pesa payments. The background is a typical Kenyan neighborhood street. The style should be bright, optimistic, and inspiring.]
Your Turn to Be the Boss!
Now it's your turn to put on your thinking cap. Here is a small assignment for you:
Over the next two days, become a "problem detective."
- Observe: Look around your home, your school, and your neighbourhood.
- Listen: Pay attention to what your friends, family, and neighbours are complaining about.
- Write Down: In your notebook, write down at least THREE problems you have identified.
- Brainstorm: For each problem, can you think of a simple business idea that could solve it?
Remember, every big company you see today—from Safaricom to the biggest supermarket—started as a simple idea in someone's mind. Your mind is just as powerful. You've got this!
Habari Mwanafunzi! Let's Discover Your Big Business Idea!
Welcome to the exciting world of Business Studies! Have you ever looked at M-Pesa, listened to a Sauti Sol song, or enjoyed a delicious meal from a local restaurant and thought, "Wow, that started as just an idea in someone's head"? Well, you are absolutely right! Every big company, every small shop (duka), and every successful hustle you see around you began with one single, powerful thing: a business idea. Today, we are going to become idea detectives and learn how to find and shape these amazing ideas ourselves. Are you ready?
What Exactly is a Business Idea?
Think of a business idea as a seed (or mbegu). It's a concept for a product or service that can solve a problem, satisfy a want, or meet a need for people, with the main goal of making a profit.
- It solves a problem (e.g., "It's hard to get fresh vegetables in my estate.")
- It satisfies a want (e.g., "I wish I could buy cool, locally designed t-shirts.")
- It meets a need (e.g., "People need clean water.")
Just like a seed needs good soil, water, and sunshine to grow into a strong tree, a business idea needs the right conditions—like research, planning, and hard work—to grow into a successful business.
Image Suggestion: A vibrant, optimistic digital illustration of a young Kenyan student planting a small seed, which has a glowing lightbulb icon above it. In the background, a large, healthy tree with Kenyan shilling coins as its fruits is visible, representing a grown business.
Where Do Great Business Ideas Come From?
Great ideas are all around us! You just need to know where to look. Here are some of the most common sources:
- Observing Your Community: What challenges do people face every day? This is often called 'spotting a gap in the market'.
Scenario: Mary noticed that many working parents in her neighbourhood struggled to find reliable people to help with house cleaning. She started "Mama Fua Connect," a simple WhatsApp service that connects trusted cleaners with households. She solved a real problem!
- Using Your Own Skills and Hobbies: What are you good at? What do you love doing? Turn your passion into profit!
Are you a great baker? A talented artist? Good at fixing phones? These are all potential business ideas. Think of the student who is excellent at Math and starts offering tutoring services to other students for a small fee.
- Improving an Existing Product: You don't always have to invent something new. You can take an existing idea and make it better, faster, or cheaper.
Think about the local juice vendor. For years, they sold mango and passion juice. A new vendor starts next to them, offering unique healthy blends like 'ginger-pineapple' or 'spinach-apple'. That's an improvement!
- Keeping Up with Trends: What's popular right now? Think about the rise of online shopping, food delivery (like Glovo), and content creation on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Being aware of trends can spark an idea.
Is Your Idea a Golden Opportunity? Let's Do the Math!
Not every idea is a viable business opportunity. A real opportunity is an idea that can actually make money. Let's do a simple calculation to see if an idea is profitable.
Idea: Selling "Smokie Pasua" outside your local school gate after classes.
--- SIMPLE PROFIT CALCULATION ---
1. COSTS (What you spend per Smokie Pasua):
- 1 Smokie: Ksh 25
- Kachumbari portion: Ksh 5 (Tomatoes, onions, etc.)
- Sauces: Ksh 2
- Charcoal/Gas cost: Ksh 3 (Estimated per smokie)
--------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST PER UNIT: Ksh 35
2. SELLING PRICE (What the customer pays):
- Price per Smokie Pasua: Ksh 50
3. PROFIT CALCULATION:
- Profit = Selling Price - Total Cost
- Profit = Ksh 50 - Ksh 35
- PROFIT PER SMOKIE: Ksh 15
4. POTENTIAL DAILY PROFIT:
- If you sell 40 smokies in an afternoon:
- Daily Profit = Profit per Smokie * Number Sold
- Daily Profit = Ksh 15 * 40
- POTENTIAL DAILY PROFIT: Ksh 600
By doing this simple math, you can see that this idea has the potential to be profitable! This is a crucial step in evaluating any business idea.
The Journey of an Idea
A business idea goes through several stages before it becomes a real business. It's a journey!
+-----------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ +--------------+
| | | | | | | |
(💡) | IDEA +---------> RESEARCH +---------> PLAN +---------> LAUNCH (🚀) |
| | | | | | | |
+-----------+ +-------------+ +-------------+ +--------------+
Find a Is there a market? Write a simple Start small,
problem to Who are my customers? business plan. sell your product
solve. What are my costs? How will I market? or service!
Image Suggestion: A colourful and dynamic comic strip showing a Kenyan teenager's business journey. Panel 1: A lightbulb moment (the idea). Panel 2: The teen talking to friends and neighbours (market research). Panel 3: The teen writing in a notebook (planning). Panel 4: The teen happily serving a customer at a small, neat stall.
Your Turn to Think!
Now it's your turn to be the entrepreneur. Look around your school, your home, and your community today. Keep a small notebook with you and write down every problem you see, every service that could be better, and every product that is missing.
Your next big business idea could be waiting right there for you to discover it. Keep your eyes open, stay curious, and remember that the biggest businesses in Kenya all started with a simple thought. What will yours be?
Pro Tip
Take your own short notes while going through the topics.
