[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is March again and the rainy season is here with us. While farmers are laughing all the way to their farms, many investors have their heads bowed down in fear of this time of the year when heavy floods and cold seem to be a clog in the wheel of their commercial activities. They are convinced that nothing much can be done as all plans are either thwarted or slowed down by the rains.
The situation is even worse for those in flood prone areas as they are likely to encounter traffic congestion especially when the roads are filled with pot holes. Worse off, people are susceptible to the loss of property worth millions of shillings through flooding.
In business, it’s always advisable to take advantage of situations. So whether you see the rainy season as a curse or a blessing, it is now time you look at the bright side and figure out how the ‘curse’ can be catapulted to blessings.
Whereas others might be busy shivering or tightly covering themselves with big warm duvets, these investments may make you smile to the bank even before the rains are over.
1. Sell of cold weather apparels and accessories
Rainy seasons is usually characterised by cold weather that comes with myriad diseases. No one would like to be sick just because of the bad weather and as a result, this is the time that use of thick clothing like gloves, cardigans and sweaters sky rockets making the demand for such to rise above the normal demand curve. Establishing a cold-weather apparel store at this time of the year is therefore a sure bet that will see you smiling with a fully loaded pocket when the rains are over.
Since young children are much likely to be affected compared to adults, you can opt to supply schools, parents, orphanages, etc sweaters in this season. You can also buy products in large quantities and start selling to retail fashion shops and corporate offices.
2. Start a tea/coffee cafe
As human beings, our bodies always try to maintain warm temperature in cold weather. One way we can do this is by taking hot fluids or drinks. In most towns, many people leave their estates early without having breakfast and once in town, they walk inside hotels to have a cup before proceeding to their work places. Opening a tea/coffee cafe during this period is therefore likely to provide a solution to many people as you cash in their pennies. All you need to do is to ensure your shop should is situated where there is continual flow of people or near matatu or bus stages and is neat.
As long as it is raining, this market is not likely to get saturated but how smart you interact with your clients will give you an upper hand an beat competition from other hotel owners.
3. Taxi business
Rainfall threatens to bring most activities to a halt, but it is not an acceptable excuse to avoid work, or to remain indoors and not go to the market to either buy or sell just because it is raining. This means that movement continues in the rainy season, despite rain fall or flooded roads.Taxi is the most convenient means of transportation in the rain, as motorcycle expose riders to the rain, while tricycles does not completely shield passengers from the rain. Some car owners also prefer taxis to their own cars because of bad roads, and choose to take taxis instead. This makes taxi business to pull high demand during this season.
4. Umbrella stocks and sales
These ones will move like hot cake. Whereas some people will opt to remain indoor in fear of the rains, these are those who will be compelled to go and seal deals. Such includes sales persons in organisations or even individuals in personal businesses. For such people, the use of umbrella is inevitable. One funny fact is that very few people are likely to keep their umbrellas until the next season begins, In fact, one can buy an umbrella when it is drizzling in the morning but if it fails to rain in the evening, chances are that he will forget the umbrella either in the office, matatu or elsewhere and that will call for a demand of another umbrella immediately it starts raining again.
To make good cash out of this, you have to keep watching the skies and start as soon as the clouds get pregnant. The more you defy the weather, the more you will make huge sales. If you are too busy, hire someone with the dedication to do it.
5. Windscreen wiper blades
Do not be in a hurry to conclude that individuals who have their own cars may not be on the list of your target audience this season. As a matter of fact, they may need you more than those without cars. Windscreen wiper blades are not often put to use when there is no rain. This factor may make some blades that have become exposed to the heat of the sun stiffened.
When the rain starts and they are now needed, they do not wipe off the water and the steam effectively. Thus, a driver who doesn’t want to experience a clouded vision will be compelled to change the wiper blades. Some negligent motorists, whose blades have become removed may not replace it until it starts to rain. Such ones are willing to do anything to get wiper blades for their cars.
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As part of your strategy towards selling as much wiper blades as possible, you may not have to wait till it starts raining. Approaching transportation and logistics companies with a lot of vehicles and stressing the need for them to change their wiper blades in order to prevent accidents may be more fruitful than you can imagine.
6. Selling rain coats/jackets
Some job descriptions just can’t allow people to use umbrella while on duty. A case in point are boda boda and dispatch riders. they need to be on their bikes all the time and this makes it hard to use umbrella on the mere fact that both their hands are engaged. To that end, raincoats remains their only alternative. Modern raincoats are made of breathable, water proof fabrics make it much comfortable to such people are they are healthy for them. Venturing into this can never fail you an inch but will leave you a different business person.
7. Start a car wash business
Many cars will get dirty in the rainy season because of splashes by mud. You are going to make cool money in the rainy season with this business Most importantly you will only need a need a pressure washer, if you want a proper washing to make your customer appreciate your service and always come back .
8. Tent hire
Many people or corporates organising outdoor activities are most likely to hire tents to shield them from the rain this season. This could be another good idea that can make you some quick cash considering that there will be more that one or two events every weekend.
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You can make money by engaging in the tent hire business or if you don’t have adequate cash to buy your own tents for hire, you can lease it from sellers and hire out to those who need it, taking the commission as your gain.
