John Kamau's Rise From Uber Driver to Owning Multi-Million US Company

A collage image of John Kamau (Left) and one of his trucks picking goods for delivery (Left).
A collage image of John Kamau (Left) and one of his trucks picking goods for delivery (Left).
File

Over the years, shipping companies have made a fortune given the growing opportunities in online shopping that have been occasioned by the advancement in technology.

While working as a medical delivery man in the United States of America (USA), 37-year-old, John Kamau decided to venture into the lucrative shipping business to meet the increasing demand of online shoppers back in Kenyan.

In 2020, the sales and marketing graduate of the University of Nairobi (UoN) opened Gichii, an online shipping company based in Seattle, Washington State.

John Kamau together with Journalist Alex Chamwada in Seattle, Washington State in the USA.
John Kamau together with Journalist Alex Chamwada in Seattle, Washington State in the USA.
File

During an interview on a local TV station on Saturday, January 29, Kamau revealed that he was forced to do odd jobs before starting his multi-million venture.

Kamau further disclosed that he was forced to work as an Uber driver despite working as an accountant in some of the reputable media companies in Kenya. 

“My journey to the US begins in 2017 when I wanted something different for my life and my family and I decided to dare myself abroad. When I came here we fell into the normal kind of jobs.

“I wanted to settle in and see what was next for me with my background and expertise. However, I had to take the manual jobs, I went to Uber, then to logistics, and then worked as an independent contractor responsible for medical deliveries,” he stated.

Through his dedication, the entrepreneur grew his business and finally opened two warehouses in the capital. 

Kamau expressed that the proximity of his headquarters to Amazon, which is one of the biggest online shopping platforms in the world helped him meet his customer's demands on time. According to the price list, shipping electronics such as a refrigerator costs close to Ksh40,000.

“We pick up packages and consolidate them from an online store when our clients buy. We also pick from their houses and forward them to Kenya. Our clients are able to give us orders and since we are in the hub of Amazon, we are able to get these products even in a day.

Additionally, he stated that he made software to enable his clients, to book and track their goods as they shipped to them.

“We have automated our systems, we have a tracking system and booking system where people can follow the journey of their products,” the 37-year-old stated.

When queried about opportunities in the US, Kamau disclosed that there were many opportunities, however, he stated that the systems there are more strict and only focused individuals can thrive in business.

“You have to strictly follow policies, be very well disciplined, and have to go do it like never before. You have to wake up early and spend 20 hours at times,” Kamau. stated.

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