It started slowly. Sales dipped for a couple of weeks, and I figured it was just a quiet period that happens sometimes. Then those weeks stretched into months. Regular customers who knew me well began walking past without stopping. A few even went straight to the newer shops that opened nearby. Those places had brighter lights, more variety, and sometimes lower prices. Competition grew fast around me, and I didn’t see it coming strong enough.
To keep things afloat, I took out small loans. First from friends and family, then from mobile apps that promise quick cash. I told myself sales would pick up soon, and I’d repay everything fast. Instead, things got worse. The shop still struggled, but the debts added up. Interest piled on, and payments became harder to make. Calls started coming daily. Some lenders asked politely for their money back. Others were rude and made threats over the phone. Worry kept me awake many nights. My mind raced, thinking about how to cover bills, stock, and rent while sales stayed low.
This isn’t just my story. In markets across places like Kenya and other areas, many small business owners face the same thing in 2026. New stores pop up, drawing people away. Easy loans seem helpful at first but trap owners when revenue doesn’t grow. Reports show high failure rates for small enterprises, often from cash flow problems, rising competition, and mounting debt. Read more https://drbokko.com/?p=37493
