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Starting a company in Kenya is hard, especially when rent, salaries and licences eat into money you have not yet earned. The good news is that many successful businesses started small, kept costs tight and grew only when the work justified it. This guide walks through a practical, low-cost way to build a company: register properly, start with a modest workspace, win work early, build a team responsibly and use online tools instead of expensive premises. Step 1: Register your business properly Registration gives you credibility with clients, lets you open a business bank account and makes it easier to bid for contracts. Decide whether a business name or a limited company suits you, and register through the official government channels. Keep copies of your certificate, KRA PIN and any licences your county or industry requires. A company stamp and simple letterhead also help when you deal with corporate clients. Our guide on licences, turnover tax and the future of physical stores covers some of the costs to plan for. Step 2: Start with a modest workspace You do not need a fancy office. A room at home, a small shop or a desk in a shared space is enough at the start. What matters is that it looks organised and professional when clients visit or join a video call: A clean table, a couple of chairs and good lighting. Your business name and logo visible, even on a simple banner. A reliable phone line and internet connection. If you need a meeting room only now and then, look at coworking spaces and business centres that rent by the hour or day. Step 3: Win as much work as you can deliver well Early on, your goal is momentum: real clients, real results and a portfolio. Take on jobs that match your skills, deliver them well and ask every satisfied client for a testimonial or referral. Each job teaches you how to price, plan and manage clients. Be careful not to accept more than you can deliver. A late or poor job costs you more in reputation than it earns. Step 4: Build your team responsibly Full-time salaries are one of the biggest costs for a new business. Lower-cost ways to get help include: Freelancers and contractors paid per job, for work such as design, accounting or delivery. Structured internships and industrial attachments for students who need hands-on experience in their field. Do this properly: agree the tasks, supervision and any stipend in writing, follow the rules that apply, and give students real learning, not just free labour. Part-time staff for busy days or seasons. Over time, interns and contractors who perform well become your best candidates for permanent roles, because they already know how you work. Step 5: Sell online instead of paying for premises A physical shop means rent, utilities and staff to keep it open. Many service businesses and small sellers now win most of their customers online and through WhatsApp. A business profile on Cottlink works like a virtual storefront: customers can find your services, location and contacts, and get in touch directly. Read how to list your small business online in Kenya and how direct sales cut costs for more on this approach. Step 6: Keep your costs visible Separate business and personal money from day one. Track every expense, even small ones, in a notebook or spreadsheet. Review your costs monthly and cut anything that is not bringing in customers. Get an accountant's help for tax filings if you are unsure. Browse Accounting & Tax providers. Step 7: Market cheaply but consistently Free and low-cost marketing works if you stay consistent. Keep your directory profile complete, post your work on social media, ask clients for reviews and make sure people searching locally can find you. Our guide on why local SEO matters explains how. Cottlink packages You can list your business for free and upgrade only when it pays off. Current packages, each for 30 days: Basic: free Premium: KSh 600 Elite: KSh 1,000 Featured: KSh 2,000 See pricing for what each includes. A simple low-