My CV: From Earning Kshs 3,630 at His First Job To Employing 3000 Kenyans

Source: How We Made It In Africa/Business Daily

His company Parapet cleaning services is one of the leading professional cleaning and allied services companies in Kenya.

With over 3000 employees, the company has managed to be listed as being one of the top 100 mid-sized companies in Kenya.

Alex Nyaga, the founder of the top company started his career journey at a very humble beginning.

“I was painting Christmas trees on windows in Nairobi in 1993. I was in high school and they were paying me $55 (Kshs 3,630) for every window. That was a lot of money,” he recently revealed in an interview with How We Made It In Africa.

The 37 year old studied for his two degrees in the US and Europe, and had a well-paying job in Switzerland, but quit to return home hoping to tap into opportunities in a booming hospitality industry.

“I knew there was a great opportunity in that field and wanted to add an international outlook to the local market,” recalls Nyaga.

But as a graduate in hotel management he had expertise in housekeeping.

He also had acquired some experience in the field, including working at an airport in Geneva which prompted him to start Parapet Cleaning Services, but for six months no business was forthcoming.

It was at that time when he saw an advert in a local paper looking for a company to provide services.

After responding to the company, he came to realize that it was Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and from then his business started to flourish.

Alex constantly found himself in “awkward situations” because of his young age, but clients appreciated the fact that Parapet Cleaning Services was providing “a certain quality that was lacking” in the market.

“They wanted a professional job done by professionals,” says Nyaga. “Of course initially age was an issue. I always got myself into very awkward situations. But the company had something to offer and it had a team of young dynamic people.” He tells how we made it in Africa.

Even after getting many business contracts, his focus was mainly on developing growing the Parapet brand and maximizing the potential in the industry.

From the very start Parapet Cleaning Services had a board of directors and management team with clear performance targets which he attributes to discipline in the company.

“I think having structures in the business from very early on is one of the things that really kept me grounded.”

Mr Nyaga says that his biggest impact on his career has been his board of directors.

“They have mentored me and walked with me throughout this journey. I owe it to them for being able to build a very successful business. Their support whether financial or technical, and through mentorship has been priceless.

He tells the Business Daily that his success story “started by thinking outside the box. I needed to start something that wasn’t being done, but one that was in my line.”

He also links his success in business to the great vision he had for his company.” I have a passion to do things that will have a greater impact in our society: such as creating jobs,” he says.

And what is his final message to young people who want to be just like him?

“They should first find a purpose. Once you identify your purpose, then work to bring that purpose to fruition,” he says.

“I believe purpose brings out the passion, the resilience. And in turn that gives you the drive to accomplish your goals,” he concludes.

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