Patrick Karzola is a young businessman and a graduate from the University of Nairobi. In a recent conversation on Mwelekeo TV with host Lorna Kadide, he opened up about his real experiences in entrepreneurship. He did not paint a picture of quick success or easy money. Instead, he talked honestly about the doubts, failures, and small steps that have shaped his journey so far.
Many people think starting a business means having a lot of money or a perfect plan from the beginning. Patrick explained that this is not always the case. He began his first venture while still in his first year at university. He joined a savings group with about thirty members, where each person contributed five hundred shillings every month. That gave the group around fifteen thousand shillings. They used the money to take a small loan and buy a pool table. Within one month, they repaid the loan. That pool table business became an important starting point for him, and he still values it highly today.
Patrick now serves as a director in a cleaning company and has been involved in several other businesses. He shared stories of both wins and losses. For example, he once tried to run a car wash. He thought he needed about four hundred thousand shillings to do it properly, but he learned later that starting smaller would have been wiser. Another time, he closed a fish business to take up formal employment.
Looking back, he regretted that decision because the job felt too rigid and limited his growth. He also faced legal troubles with the pool table business because he did not fully understand the rules at the time.
These moments taught him that losses are normal in business. They help you understand the market better and adjust your approach.
One big challenge Patrick mentioned is capital. Many young people in Kenya struggle to find money to start. He believes you do not always need a huge amount.
Sometimes even fifty thousand shillings or less can be enough if you begin small and stay operational. He also pointed out that an idea itself can be a resource. The hard part is turning that idea into action.
He advised young entrepreneurs to research their field carefully, understand where to start, and be ready to change strategies when things are not working. Markets keep changing, just like stock exchanges do, so staying flexible is important.
Partnerships played a key role in Patrick’s story. He said entrepreneurship is not about keeping ideas to yourself or being selfish. Instead, it helps to share equity with the right people. For instance, he has given away ten percent shares to partners who bring energy and aligned goals. This way, you can solve the problem of limited capital and also gain different skills. He stressed the value of networking and building social capital. Referrals from friends and connections have helped him find clients and learn new things. In today’s world, technology makes a big difference too. Using platforms like TikTok and Instagram for marketing can bring in customers without spending much money.
Patrick does not believe you must follow your passion to succeed in business. He could have pursued football, but he chose paths based on profit potential and market opportunities. What keeps him going is a sense of responsibility.
There are days when he feels like giving up, but he continues because people look up to him, including friends and village mates he has employed. His businesses have allowed him to pay school fees for some workers and take part in community activities.
He sees entrepreneurship as more than just making money. It can create jobs, keep young people away from problems like drug addiction, and build stronger communities.
He also compared entrepreneurship with formal employment. After working in a bank for three years, Patrick left because the routine felt robotic. In a job, systems are fixed and learning can be slow. In business, you keep learning new things every day, from website development to human resource systems.
It involves sleepless nights and tough periods, but the long-term rewards can be greater. He noted that after five years of steady building, many entrepreneurs earn more than they would in a regular job paying around one hundred thousand shillings or less.
For beginners, Patrick’s advice is clear and practical. Start where you are. Join savings groups or use small loans if needed. Do not wait for perfect conditions. Focus on execution rather than just having ideas.
Build resilience and always think about new market trends. Mentorship also helps. One of his mentors told him to start immediately because clients come with time and consistency. Responsibility, not fancy daily habits, is what drives real progress.
The conversation on Mwelekeo TV went beyond business tips. It touched on mindset and purpose. Patrick described himself as confident, even calling himself the best human on earth in a light-hearted way.
He wants young people, especially in Kenya and across Africa, to see entrepreneurship as a tool for change. It is not only about personal success but also about creating impact and shaping a better future.
Many young graduates today face pressure to find stable jobs. Patrick’s story shows another path. It is not always smooth, and it includes failures that no one likes to talk about openly.
Yet with determination, smart partnerships, and a willingness to learn from setbacks, it is possible to grow something meaningful. He encouraged listeners to rethink self-employment and to start small while keeping long-term goals in mind.
Patrick’s message is one of hope mixed with realism. Entrepreneurship demands hard work and persistence. There will be moments of uncertainty and pressure. But those who stay the course can build businesses that support themselves, their families, and their communities. His journey from a university savings group to running multiple ventures is a reminder that real growth often begins with simple steps and a decision to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
Patrick Karzola’s experience adds to the growing voices of young Kenyan businessmen who are proving that impact-driven entrepreneurship is possible even with limited resources.
