Still Not Seeing Growth? 5 Uncommon Moves Kenyan Entrepreneurs Overlook

If you feel like you’re doing everything “right” but your business is still not breaking through, you might be missing a few elements that have the potential to unlock your business growth.

Here are five overlooked but practical business growth hacks every small business owner in Kenya should consider: 

1. Turn One Customer Into Ten: Focus on Retention

The chase for new customers is never-ending. Social media ads, influencer marketing, giveaways… all in the name of more reach. 

Yet it has been found to be a lot cheaper to keep your existing customer than to get a new one. In other words, it’s a lot cheaper to keep your boda customers happy than to expand your transport business with a new matatu. Here is what to do: 

• Following up after a purchase
• Offering discounts for existing customers
• Marketing on Your WhatsApp Status to reach the customers who have already saved your number 
• Sending personalized thank-you messages after a business interaction

Your best marketing asset is a happy customer with a network. A single loyal client can bring in 3, 5, even 10 more, without you spending a shilling on ads.

2. Partner Beyond Your Industry to Grow Faster

If you are a baker, you might only think of partnering with caterers or event planners. But smart growth often comes from unexpected alliances.

Consider these examples:

• A mitumba clothing shop is teaming up with a local photographer for client photoshoots
• A salon or barber shop teaming up with a content creator to offer makeovers
• A grocery shop teaming up with the local boda rider for home deliveries

These partnerships can unlock double exposure, shared trust, and joint campaigns. 

3. Build a Real Community, Not Just Followers

The real value is in focused, niche communities where your ideal customers feel seen, heard, and valued.

This could be:

• A WhatsApp group where your customers ask questions and stay up-to-date with your latest offerings
• A Telegram channel with tips, offers, and behind-the-scenes updates
• An in-person event or pop-up for repeat buyers

When customers feel like they’re part of something, they don't just buy more. They grow with you.

4. Grow Faster by Empowering Your Team

If your team just “does their job,” your growth has a ceiling. What if you?

• Share your growth goals with your team
• Invite them to contribute ideas
• Reward innovation and initiative
• Let team members own mini-projects

The staff may stay late because they want to and offer ideas without being asked.

5. Use Tools That Work as Hard as You Do 

In today’s world, your smartphone is your greatest business asset. From taking high-quality photos of your products, promoting them online, chatting with customers on WhatsApp, receiving mobile payments, or even applying for short-term loans. 

Gone are the days when you could get by with a kabambe. Modern hustles need more powerful tools to keep up with customers and competition. That’s why many successful entrepreneurs are more intentional about the phones they use—phones that don’t just call and text, but also protect and grow their business.

In fact, the mobile phone industry has gone a step further to add more value to smartphones, making it possible for you to access superior devices packed with thoughtful support features.

Take the M-KOPA S34, for example, it goes beyond having all the latest features (see them here) to actively protecting your hustle and boosting your business: 

• Health Cash Cover: One illness can throw your business off course. With the Ksh30,000 health cover included in M-KOPA S34, you get Ksh1,000 cash for each night you’re admitted to cope and recover the lost income. 

• Device Protection: A lost or damaged phone can disrupt your operations. The M-KOPA S34 comes with built-in device insurance, giving you an affordable screen repair and protection from theft.
• Flexible Pay-As-You-Go Plans: There is no need to break the bank to buy a smartphone. With the M-KOPA S34, you can now choose a repayment plan that works for you—either a 6-month plan for faster ownership or a 12-month plan for lower daily payments.
  
  • S34 (6-Month Plan): Deposit – Ksh3,399 | Daily Installment – Ksh77
  • S34 (12-Month Plan): Deposit – Ksh2,499 | Daily Installment – Ksh58

This flexibility gives you control over how you manage your cash flow, whether you want to finish payments quickly or spread them out more affordably.

• Digital Loans Access: After three months of on-time payments, you can qualify for mobile cash loans from M-KOPA, giving your business the much-needed boost.

Ready to Take Your Hustle to the Next Level? 

Click here to get your M-KOPA S34 today or learn more in this review.