Campus hustlers: How univeristy students are turning skills into side businesses

In an economy where expenses keep rising while income stays the same, financial wisdom is essential. As parents strive to provide, university students are finding creative ways to earn extra income.

I spoke with two students who shared why they started their businesses in school and how they manage their finances in these tough times.

Don Ochieng, a final year student at the University of Nairobi pursuing a course in accounting, and who is also a student leader, spoke about how he sourced for capital for his business, in which he also ended up involving five other friends.

“I’m a business-oriented student. And as a student leader, I used my salary to start my business while in my second year of studies,” he said.

“I’m running a tuck shop within the school, I also have a printing shop and I have been able to seek five of my fellow students to help me run the business. The aim is to make a profit which I can then invest (in other businesses) and also save for emergencies.”

Vanessa Muthoni, a counseling and psychology student, runs a baking business known as ‘Crust and Crumble.’ What started as a hobby during semester breaks has now become an official side hustle. To stay financially stable, she prioritizes saving before spending, ensuring she always has a safety net.

Her advice to her peers is, “just do it. Take the first step to explore your passion and practice it and look for gaps and turn your skill into your business activity.”

Don, on his part, also urges his peers to; “Come up with a business idea, implement it, even the little you have can start a business.”

“The goal is to expand this business. Therefore, my advice is let’s focus on business because we understand that even the richest people in Kenya are business men and women.”

So, for university students, explore your interest and identify a niche so as to turn your skill into a business activity.