8 Small Businesses One Can Start After One Year of Working — Even on a 10,000 Salary

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Introduction

Many house helps across Kenya dream of one day starting their own business — to be independent, earn more, and take care of their children back home. But with a salary of KSh 10,000 per month, that dream can feel far away.

The truth is, it’s possible. With discipline, a clear savings plan, and smart choices, a house help can raise enough capital to start a small, sustainable business after one year of work.

At House Girls Village & Bureau, we not only connect families with reliable house helps across Nairobi, but we also empower domestic workers to plan for their financial future. In this post, we’ll show you how to save and then explore 8 business ideas a house help can start after one year of consistent saving.

Infographic showing eight small business ideas a house help can start after one year of working on a 10,000 salary — including poultry keeping, grocery kiosk, mitumba clothes, salon, M-Pesa, soap making, cereal shop, and street vending — with a central illustration of a woman holding a savings box.
Infographic showing eight small business ideas a house help can start after one year of working on a 10,000 salary — including poultry keeping, grocery kiosk, mitumba clothes, salon, M-Pesa, soap making, cereal shop, and street vending — with a central illustration of a woman holding a savings box. CLICK Here for More


Step 1: A Simple Saving Strategy for a 10,000 Salary

Before starting a business, the most important thing is learning how to save.

Let’s assume you earn KSh 10,000 per month and you have two children in the village attending a local school.

Monthly Budget Plan

ExpenseEstimated Cost (KSh)
Send to kids (school + upkeep)3,000
Personal needs (soap, clothes, phone)1,000
Contribution to family back home1,000
Savings2,000
Emergency fund1,000
Tithe or small giving500
Miscellaneous1,500

✅ Total: 10,000

If you follow this budget, you can save KSh 2,000 monthly.
After 12 months, you’ll have:

💰 KSh 2,000 × 12 = KSh 24,000

This amount is enough to start a small but promising business — whether in your village or in a nearby town.

1. Poultry Keeping (Egg or Broiler Business)

Startup capital: From KSh 15,000 – 25,000
Best for: Village or small town

Starting with 10 to 20 chickens, you can grow a poultry business in just months. Build a small wooden structure and buy improved breeds like Kenbro or Kienyeji.

How to run it:

  • Start with 10 hens and 2 cocks.

  • Feed them using local ingredients (maize bran, vegetables, waste grains).

  • Sell eggs weekly to neighbors or at local markets.

  • Reinvest profits by buying more chicks.

In six months, your poultry can grow into a steady source of income, especially when you supply eggs to shops or schools.

💡 Tip: Build the chicken coop at your home in the village so your family can help care for them while you work in the city.

2. Second-Hand Clothes (Mitumba) Business

Startup capital: Around KSh 20,000
Best for: Town or city outskirts

The mitumba business remains one of the easiest to start. Many successful women began by buying bales or selected pieces from Gikomba or Toi Market, then selling them at home or in nearby estates.

How to run it:

  • Buy quality second-hand clothes in bulk (especially children’s or women’s clothes).

  • Wash, iron, and package them neatly.

  • Market to friends, neighbors, and online (Facebook groups work well).

  • Reinvest profits weekly.

💡 Example: You can start by selling from your employer’s neighborhood on your off day, or send stock home for your sister or friend to sell.

3. Grocery & Vegetable Kiosk

Startup capital: Around KSh 18,000 – 25,000
Best for: Village or town center

Every home needs vegetables daily. With just a wooden stall, a weighing scale, and stock of sukuma wiki, tomatoes, onions, and fruits, a house help can start a thriving mama mboga business.

How to run it:

  • Buy produce in bulk from the local market in the morning.

  • Arrange and display it neatly for customers.

  • Keep records of daily sales.

  • Sell early evening when demand is high.

This business is simple, but it provides steady cash flow — and it can grow into a larger shop with time.

💡 Tip: Choose a location near a school or busy road where foot traffic is high.

4. Salon or Braiding Business

Startup capital: KSh 15,000 – 20,000
Best for: Town or village center

If you are good at braiding or styling hair, use that skill! You can begin by doing hair from home, then expand into a small salon.

How to run it:

  • Buy essential tools (combs, blow-dryer, mirror, seat).

  • Offer affordable prices to attract first customers.

  • Post before-and-after photos online.

  • Save part of the profits to buy better equipment.

💡 Example: You can start braiding on weekends or holidays when you visit home, and later employ an assistant to run it full time.

READ: How a person earning Ksh 10,000 can Get Financial Freedom in 2 years! 

5. Mobile Money or M-Pesa Agency

Startup capital: KSh 25,000 – 30,000 (starting float + registration)
Best for: Town or village center with no nearby M-Pesa

This is one of the most stable businesses in Kenya today. Many house helps have successfully opened small M-Pesa shops after saving for a year.

How to run it:

  • Partner with Safaricom agents to get registered.

  • Keep your float balanced between deposits and withdrawals.

  • Add other services like Airtel Money, Equity Agent, or small snacks to attract customers.

  • Maintain accurate records.

💡 Tip: Choose a secure, visible spot with foot traffic like a shopping center or bus stop.

6. Soap and Detergent Making

Startup capital: KSh 10,000 – 15,000
Best for: Village or urban estate

This small manufacturing business can be started from home. You can learn how to make liquid soap, bar soap, or bleach through short online courses or community workshops.

How to run it:

  • Buy ingredients like caustic soda, sulphonic acid, perfume, and color.

  • Mix and brand in reusable containers.

  • Sell to local households, schools, or churches.

  • Reinvest part of the profit in packaging and branding.

💡 Example: Use your employer’s home experience to understand quality and fragrance preferences for your future customers.

7. Cereal Shop (Maize, Beans, Rice, Flour)

Startup capital: KSh 25,000 – 30,000
Best for: Village or town

Kenyans buy cereals daily. With consistent suppliers and honest weights, you can make steady profits.

How to run it:

  • Buy bulk from farmers or wholesalers.

  • Store in clean, dry containers.

  • Sell retail to locals and shop owners.

  • Keep records to track profit and loss.

💡 Tip: Offer small “affordable portions” to attract customers with limited budgets.

8. Boiled Eggs and Smokie Street Vending

Startup capital: KSh 8,000 – 12,000
Best for: Town or near bus stops, estates, schools

This business needs little capital and brings quick cash daily. It’s ideal for someone returning home after working in Nairobi.

How to run it:

  • Buy a smokie trolley or bucket.

  • Boil eggs and smokies early morning.

  • Sell with kachumbari during peak hours (evening or lunchtime).

  • Always maintain hygiene and friendly service.

💡 Tip: Offer free chili or salt to keep customers returning — small gestures build loyalty.

Smart Tips for Success After Starting Your Business

  1. Keep Records: Always note what you sell and spend daily.

  2. Separate Business Money from Family Money: Avoid using stock money for home needs.

  3. Market Yourself: Tell people about your business — word of mouth works wonders.

  4. Stay Disciplined: Don’t withdraw all profits; reinvest regularly.

  5. Keep Learning: Attend short business trainings, even online.

Conclusion

Starting a business after working as a house help is possible. With as little as KSh 10,000 salary, discipline and focus can change your future. Whether it’s poultry farming, mitumba sales, or an M-Pesa kiosk, every step counts.

We also mentor house helps on financial planning and future business empowerment.

Also Read: Interview Questions with Answers to Help you get That Job

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