|
Do you need information on property available either on sale or letting? Do you require the information instantaneously yet you do not have the time to drive around the city or worse still, walk around looking for that information? Fret not; Nyumbanet is here to rescue you!
 Nyumbanet, an online property resource center, supplies the ever-increasing demand for real time information on property available locally, either for sale or letting. In addition, the website also includes addresses of real estates agents as well as information about mortgage, real estate and property development. All this is thanks to Joram Kamau Mbui, the man behind the initiative that is www.nyumbanet.co.ke.
A first look at the 28-year old businessman reveals a jolly, easy-going and affable personality. Below this lies the steel - a passionate drive to succeed in business. A believer since his early childhood, Joram decided to put his faith into practice and started the firm in 2004. He says:
“Being a Christian is not a Sunday only affair, we are Christians all days of the week and whatever business God has put us in, we should be devoted to it just the way we dedicate ourselves to church activities on Sunday.”
Now as managing director of Nyumbanet, Joram recalls that he has always seen himself as an ideal businessman from his time as a high school student at Starehe Boys Center, and at University of Nairobi where he studied economics.
His good business acumen saw him land a place at Realtors Africa, while still a first year student. From 2001-2003, Joram worked at the company as an intern and there, he got a real taste of the goin-ons in the property and real estate industry in Kenya. During his stay at the company, Joram also got a chance to work as the webmaster of Realtors Africa's website, one of the the region's first online property directories. It was here that Joram developed his idea for Nyumbanet, when Realtors Africa went under in 2003. Being neither a property owner nor a real estate agent, it was easy for Joram to set up Nyumbanet without attendant suspicion from real estate agents. Joram begun rolling out plans to establish his company and fill the vacuum that the crumbling Realtors Africa left in the real estate market. Like any business start-ups, the main hurdle he faced was financial – he solved this by going the proven way, getting into partnership with his uncle.
Between the months of February to October 2004, Joram toiled hard to set up a website as well as compile a list of property that was available for sale or for letting in Kenya. This involved visiting various real estate agencies to get the information and it was no mean task. In addition, it was not easy for Joram to convince real estate agents that he meant business. His credibility was in doubt especially because of his young age and what was thought of as inexperience in the industry by seasoned property agents.
Four years down the line, Joram has not only succeeded in his real estate business, but he has also proved critics wrong by shining forth Christian ideals, refusing involvement in underhand and sleazy deals.
Besides Nyumbanet, Joram is also involved in the information and communication technology (ICT) business through Nyumbanet's offshoot company, Fastnet Systems. The company deals with supply of computer hardware and system administration as well as online marketing advertising. In addition, Joram runs an entertainment company, African Bonfire, together with his wife and afro-fusion artist Chizi.
Joram has set a good example for Christians who wants to venture into business to emulate. He leaves these words of advice for anyone thinking of trying their hand in business:
“Read widely, open your eyes and ears and take a keen interest in current affairs. Try to view the world with a broad mind and an entrepreneurs mind since it is here that your business opportunity will pop out.”
|
Sometimes you meet people and you can tell from the get-go that they’re exceptional in ability or their work and that they didn’t get to where they are by accident. Gerald Owino is one of... + Read More
Arnold Omondi is director of his own sound company, providing sound equipment and engineering services to numerous gigs all over the city every year. From two speakers, a mixer and two mics, Hype... + Read More
Some people walk into a room and their presence is immediately felt. It’s a slight mixture of passion, energy and affability that few posses – Nyambura Miring’u, proprietor of... + Read More