My employer‘s success drove me to set up IT firm

When he decided to leave his job as an IT engineer at a local company, little did Frank Ojiambo know that barely two years down the line, he would be doing well as an entrepreneur.

In 2017 Mr Ojiambo founded Computer-Springs Maintenance and Services Ltd, a company that deals in diagnosis and repair of computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

“Also, we have a sales department that deals with selling computers, laptops and their accessories,” he says.

With a monthly net profit of nearly a million shillings, Computer-Springs has managed to create a niche for itself, in a competitive segment of the technology sector.

“In a month the net profit can amount to Sh700,000, after paying the salaries of my nine employees, rent for our three shops which amounts to nearly Sh85,000 a month, and after deducting other expenses including transport,” notes Mr Ojiambo.

What gives them an edge, he says is the fact that he has invested in providing high quality services at affordable prices, while ensuring customer satisfaction. But there is more to his relatively quick success; Mr Ojiambo says he has taken upon himself to ensure that not just the clients, but also his employees are happy. He has achieved this by creating a special bond with his staff, giving them a sense of ownership of the business.

“Our company doesn’t have a bureaucratic structure where there’s a boss. Here, everyone is a boss and even when for instance a customer comes and demands to talk to the owner, we insist that everyone is a boss,” he explains.

Apart from that, the entrepreneur says he remunerates his employees well and takes care of their transport and lunch expenses.

“I have given my employees a van which I fuel, to bring them to work and take them to their homes in the evening. Also, every day they get free lunch. This ensures that they work comfortably,” he notes, adding that proper treatment of employees is the key to success for any business.

But the Nairobi-based tech firm is not just a profit-making entity. It also provides free training for financially disadvantaged youth who have passion for IT. Since it started its operation, the company has offered free practical courses to scores of youth, including its nine employees.

This, Mr Ojiambo says, is to encourage self-employment through application of the skills and experience they acquire after successful completion of their courses.

The curriculum comprises all levels of repair methods starting from the basics of how to diagnose and troubleshoot computer problems, up to advanced repair techniques.

“Through taking up the short courses, participants can develop a career in the maintenance and repair industry as there is constant and continuous use of electronic devices across the country, hence the need for repair services as these digital devices are prone to failures,” says the entrepreneur who studied Computer Science and IT in a local college.

His students range from those who barely have the basic education but have passion in the profession, to IT graduates who lack hands-on skills.

So what motivated him to quit two years into his employment as an engineer in a local IT company?

“Apart from the fact that the pay wasn’t enough, I wanted to employ myself, having admired my employer who was doing so well financially,” he says.

When he began, Mr Ojiambo had only Sh15,000 and computer repairing tools.

“In order to get the shop I wanted, I needed Sh20,000 rent, plus a deposit of the same amount, a sum I didn’t have. So in a leap of faith, I approached the landlord with my Sh15,000 and convinced him to give me a chance, after which I would pay him the remaining amount at the end of the month, not even sure if I would raise the money,” he reminisces with a chuckle.

But at the end of the month the alumnus of St. Benedict’s Budalangi High School, had made an eye-catching Sh300,000, an amount of money he didn’t imagine he would make in such a short period of time. Since then he says, his business has been growing.

But at first it wasn’t easy to convince his relatives and parents, especially his mother, about his decision to resign from work.

“My mother was worried that I would lose my main source of income,” he explains, adding that he has now proved them wrong.

His advice to young people is to be patient and be their best even if they are employed.

“I remember at my work place, despite being paid peanuts I always did my best. Apart from creating a bond with the customers, I was unknowingly making a brand for myself, such that when I left many clients followed me,” he says.

He also counsels that it is not wise to burn bridges when leaving your job.

“When I wanted to leave (employment), I approached my boss and told him that I admired him; how he was making money and especially his lifestyle. I was also honest enough to tell him that I couldn’t achieve that as his employee and that’s why I opted to leave. So he understood my reasons for leaving,” he explains.

Also his zeal to challenge himself has been one of his secrets to success.

“My first car I acquired after three months into business was a 2.4cc, quite a fuel consuming machine for a starter. That was my challenge because I wanted something that could keep me on my toes when it came to getting fuel money,” he says.

His future plan is to start a foundation to offer free practical courses to the youth, to enable them go into self-employment.