This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
It's a story of resilience and determination that has inspired many. Mike Kubai, a former IT expert, found himself broke in 2012, but instead of giving up, he took on two jobs - a supermarket attendant and a car wash boy in Maua town, Meru County.
He was paid Sh. 12,000 at the supermarket, but the lack of flexibility and personal time made him opt for the car wash job, where he was paid according to his performance. The car wash was owned by two guys from Mwea and was located in Maua town.
Mike was welcomed by the then car wash manager, Andrew Munyi, whom he became friends with. He met other employees, including class eight leavers, form four leavers, and tertiary level students. He joined them and started earning a daily income of Sh. 265, which he used to buy food and other essentials.
As he gained experience, Mike started getting his own customers and earning more money. He was trained by a lady called Sally Mutevu, whom he still treasures. He became a skilled car wash attendant, earning up to Sh. 650 in a day, plus tips from his loyal customers.
Mike's hard work and dedication paid off, and he was able to save money and eventually quit his job in 2013. He had saved Sh. 230,000 in his account and decided to start his own printing business, where he could apply his IT skills.
Today, Mike's printing business is thriving, and he has started several other businesses. He attributes his success to his focus, determination, and discipline, as well as his trust in God. His story is a testament to the fact that anyone can start from scratch and achieve their goals with hard work and determination.
