This archive report was first published on 2 October 2021.
George Karimi, the founder of SwiftAide, a mobile-based marketplace, found himself in a predicament in 2017. His wife was unwell, and he was unable to find a replacement for their cleaning lady, forcing him to do the laundry himself. This experience sparked the idea for SwiftAide, which he launched in 2018.
The platform connects freelance professionals with clients looking for specific services or products. Users can find immediate help with everyday tasks such as cleaning, moving, and delivery. It also connects people to professionals who would otherwise be hard to locate.
According to Karimi, 'When starting a business, you have to identify a problem and aim to solve it.' To date, the app has been downloaded 1,000 times on Google Playstore.
Samuel Gichohi, an investment analyst, agrees that the best innovations are customer-driven. 'The consumer who uses a product will know what needs to be added or removed to make that product better,' he says.
Entrepreneurship requires courage, agility, and determination, says Karimi. 'An entrepreneur should be ready for any eventuality. An entrepreneur's heart and mind should be strong so that they do not fall into depression when the business gives them very negative outcomes.'
Experts say that businesses must plan accordingly to survive, especially during times of economic uncertainty. 'When you are fulfilling someone's need, the person will be willing to pay for the good or service on offer,' says Gichohi.
Renowned billionaires, such as Mark Zuckerberg, built their empires by establishing problems and creating solutions to them. Zuckerberg's experience of connecting with his schoolmates inspired him to create Facebook.
