How to Start a Profitable Street Food Business with Just $100 (ksh 10,000): The Ultimate Smokie Hustle Guide

🧾 1. Introduction: What Is a Smokie Business?

A smokie business is a low-cost, high-demand street food venture based on selling pre-cooked sausages (known locally as smokies) that are reheated and served hot with simple, tasty sides like kachumbari (a tomato-onion salsa), chapati (flatbread), mandazi (fried dough), buns, or boiled eggs.

Popular across Kenya and other African countries such as Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria, this business provides a quick way to earn daily income—especially for young people and small-scale vendors with limited capital.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I start a business with just $100 (KES 10,000)?” — the answer is YES, and the smokie business is a great place to begin.

📋 2. Simple Business Plan (KES 10,000 / ~$100 USD Budget)

🏷️ Business Name Ideas:

• Smokie Corner
• Pasua Stop
• Bite & Go
• Smocha Delight
• Wrap & Roll

🎯 Business Goals:

• Sell hot, delicious sausage-based street snacks
• Operate in high-traffic, low-rent locations
• Expand the menu using affordable ingredients
• Keep costs low and maximize daily profits

👥 Target Customers:

• High school and college students
• Office workers and boda boda (motorbike) riders
• Commuters and matatu (bus) passengers
• Shoppers and market traders
• Night shift workers and party-goers

💰 Budget Breakdown (USD equivalents in brackets):

Item	Cost (KES)	Approx. USD
Second-hand trolley or stove + pot	3,000	~$30
Initial food stock	2,000	~$20
Plates, utensils, serving tools	500	~$5
Packaging & napkins	500	~$5
Daily council fee / license	500	~$5
Small banner or sign	500	~$5
Transport/emergency float	1,000	~$10
Total	8,000–10,000	~$80–100

💡 Tip: Start with a small stove (jiko) if a trolley is too expensive. You can upgrade later as profits grow.

🛒 3. What to Sell – Tasty Street Menu Ideas

Item	Description	Selling Price (KES / USD)
Plain smokie	Heated sausage only	30–40 (~$0.30–0.40)
Smokie + kachumbari	With tomato-onion salsa	40–50 (~$0.40–0.50)
Smocha (Smokie + chapati)	Wrapped in flatbread	50–70 (~$0.50–0.70)
Mandazi pasua	Stuffed fried dough	50–60 (~$0.50–0.60)
Boiled egg + kachumbari	Simple vegetarian option	25–30 (~$0.25–0.30)
Smokie + egg	Combo of sausage and egg	60–70 (~$0.60–0.70)
Smokie in bun	Like a hotdog	60–80 (~$0.60–0.80)
Smokie samosa	Fried triangle with chopped smokie	20–30 (~$0.20–0.30)
Juice or water sachet	Cold drink option	20–30 (~$0.20–0.30)

💡 Tip: Add simple extras like eggs or chapati to increase customer spend per order.

🍳 4. How to Prepare – For Beginners

🔥 Option 1: Boiling

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Add smokies and heat for 5–7 minutes.
3. Serve hot—whole or sliced for “pasua” style.

🔥 Option 2: Pan-Frying

1. Add oil to a frying pan.
2. Fry smokies while turning until golden brown.

🧅 Make Quick Kachumbari:

• Chop tomatoes, onions, coriander
• Add lemon juice and a pinch of salt
• Optional: add chili for a spicy kick

⚠️ Always maintain cleanliness—wash your hands, tools, and cover your food.

📍 5. Best Locations to Set Up

• Near schools, colleges, hostels
• Outside clubs, bars, and event spaces
• At market entrances
• Beside boda/motorcycle stages
• Along busy footpaths in estates

✅ Check with your local council and pay any required daily fee to avoid fines or arrest.

💰 6. How Much Can You Earn?

Sample Daily Sales:

Item	Sales Amount
40 smokies @ KES 40	KES 1,600 (~$16)
10 eggs @ KES 25	KES 250 (~$2.50)
10 chapati wraps profit	KES 200 (~$2)

Daily Revenue: KES 2,050 (~$20.50)

Daily Costs: Approx. KES 1,200 (~$12)

Net Profit: KES 800–1,000 (~$8–10)

Monthly (26 working days): KES 24,000–30,000 (~$240–$300)

💡 Even with 5 working days a week, this business can outperform entry-level jobs.

💳 7. Financial Advice – Smart Capital Growth

❌ Avoid: Shylock Loans

• Extremely high interest (10–30% per week)
• Quick repossession of your items
• Can cause stress and financial loss

“Don’t kill your small business with an expensive loan you can’t repay.”

✅ Try: Mobile App Loans (With Care)

• Options: Tala, Branch, Zenka, Fuliza, Faraja
• Use only for stock or urgent top-up
• Repay quickly to increase your loan limit

⚠️ Never use loans for personal expenses or luxury. Only borrow what you can repay in 7 days.

✅ 8. Key Tips for Success on a $100 Budget

• Be consistent: show up even on slow days
• Be clean: hygiene builds customer trust
• Be friendly: your smile is your biggest marketing tool
• Use TikTok or WhatsApp to post daily updates
• Upsell politely: “Chapati ama mandazi na hiyo?”
• Save KES 100 (~$1) daily and reinvest in stock or upgrades

🧠 Final Word

You don’t need a big shop, a loan, or fancy equipment to make money. You just need:

• ✔ A basic stove or trolley
• ✔ Clean smokies and fresh accompaniments
• ✔ Customer service and consistency

🔥 Start with what you have. Grow with what you earn. Your hustle is valid.