Start a Profitable Business Selling Street Food with Just $100

 

Introduction

Have you ever wondered if you could start a business that will be so profitable with just $100 (Khs 10,000)? Do not worry, because I have asked myself the same question over and over again, and it turns out you can absolutely do this. You are not alone, coz I have got you covered in this.

 I started a profitable street food business with just $100, and in this post, I will break down step by step, so you do not waste time overthinking or overspending. 

Let us skip the theory and let's Hustle.

The business I started on the street some years back was a Smokie Business. 

🧾 What Is a Smokie Business? (And Why It Works)

A smokie business, in my opinion, is a very low-budget street food hustle. In this business, you are just basically selling pre-cooked sausages, which I will say is (aka smokies). What do you do? These precooked sausages are just reheated on the go. Wrap it with chapati, stuff it in a bun, or pair it with some kachumbari. The kachumbari is that killer-tomato onion mix, and boom, you have just got a hot snack for the customer walking down the street. Start a profitable street food business with $100? That is how you do it. This business is popping off all over Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda-you name it. It is everywhere. It is quick to start, quick to make profits from, and is perfect for students, hustlers, or anyone tired of being broke.

📋 Your $100 Business Plan – Let’s Break It Down

Here’s how I flipped my  Ksh 10,000+ (~$100) into a daily earner.

First of all, you have to think of a business name. Let me share some ideas with you. Smocha Delight, Smokie Stop, Wrap and Roll, Bite and Go, Persua Plug, Street Snack Corner, and the likes you can think about

Starting this business seemed to be a waste of time to me in the beginning, but as time went on, I came to love it.

🎯 My Goals Were Simple: 

Sell fast, 

Keep costs very low.

Go where the people are.

And, scale one step at a time. There is no need to rush about this.

 You may be asking who 👥 My Customers were, and oh, for that, they were available due to the location I chose. Meaning that yes, location is very important in this business. The Boda riders, students, matatu passengers, office folks, and the market mamas were all walking by the street, and in less than every minute, here comes a customer asking about the price and ready to buy.

🧾 Budget Breakdown (KES):

I got a second stove, which amounted to $30, initial food stock $20, utensils, plates, and tools for some $5, packaging plus napkins, banner or sign, then came transport and emergency float, all amount to about $20. 

💡 Tip: Can’t afford a trolley yet? Start with a jiko. Upgrade as you grow.

🍳 What To Sell – Keep It Tasty, Keep It Simple

Let me now share with you what I sold and how I priced it. For a better presentation and to aid your understanding, I will put it in a table for better presentation.

Item	Description	Price (KES/ ISD
Plain smokie	Was just heated	30–40 ($0.30–0.40)
Smokie + kachumbari	Add salsa magic	Magic    40–50 ($0.40–0.50)
Smocha wrapped in a chapati	-	50–70 ($0.50–0.70)
Smokie + egg	Protein overload	60–70 ($0.60–0.70)
Mandazi pasua  Stuffed fried dough	-	50–60 ($0.50–0.60)
Egg + salsa	For the vegetarians	25–30 ($0.25–0.30)
Smokie samosa	Deep-fried triangle of heaven
Juice or water sachet	Don’t forget the drinks  `	20–30 ($0.20–0.30)

How do you prepare this even if you have never cooked before?

Boil water and toss in the smokies for about five to seven minutes. When you are done, heat some oil and fry the smokies until they look golden. Flip crispy and sell. The ingredients used were tomatoes, onions, and coriander. You can choose to add lemon juice and a compulsory pinch of salt to give the smokie some taste. That is it, you are now a chef. Please note that cleanliness is also key. For this reason, always wash your hands, cover your food, wipe your station, and keep the surroundings clean and hygienic. Trust me, good hygiene will return your customers. Boost your business, add some eggs, imagine a sumptuous one with some chili pepper.

Best Street Locations To Set Up Shop

Tip for you, do not sell where it's empty. Go where feet move, where people are. Think about college gates, bars or clubs at night, bus stops or stations, market entrances, busy estate corners, and more. Hint: Pay your daily council fees and avoid drama, avoid bribes, and just register. At this point, 💰 Let’s Talk Money: What I Made Daily

Sample Daily Sales

Item                       Qty                        Total(KES)

Smokies @ 40            40                              1,600 ($16)

Eggs @ 25                  10                                250  ($2.50)

Chapatis                      10                                200   ($2)

Total Revenue                                              2,050  ($20.50)

Daily Costs                                                  1,200   ($12)

Profit                                                           800–1,000  ($8–10)     

Now, here is what I want you to do: multiply that profit by 26 days and look at what you will be getting. This is way more than some official jobs out there.

Too Risky, don't bother.

For emergencies, only if you want to invest more, increase your smokies, or develop your station, then you can use mobile loans only if you must. Do not borrow for flex; use it only for stock or gear.

✅ Tips That Kept Me Winning on $100

👉Be consistent. Even if sales are low, show up.

👉Stay clean. Dirty food kills your rep.

👉Smile often. It’s free marketing.

👉Use WhatsApp or TikTok to post your stand and menu daily.

👉Upsell: “Want chapati or mandazi with that?”

👉Save KES 100/day and reinvest. Always be levelling up.

 🧠 Final Word

Let’s be real.

• You don’t need a degree.
• You don’t need a big loan.
• You need drive, consistency, and clean smokies.
• I built mine from KES 10,000.
• You can too.

Start a Profitable Street Food Business with Just $100, and forget sitting around broke.

Start a Profitable Street Food Business with Just $100, and watch how fast your confidence grows.

❓FAQs

1. Can I really start a business with $100?

Yes. This post proves it.

2. Do I need a license to sell smokies?

Usually yes. Check with your local council and pay the daily fee.

3. Is Smokie's business profitable in Kenya and Other Countries?

Absolutely. With low overhead and daily sales, margins are strong.

4. What’s the best time to sell?

Early morning (commuters) and evening (party crowd).

5. Can I add other food items later?

Yes. That’s the plan. Grow your menu as your profits grow.

So what’s stopping you?

Start a Profitable Street Food Business with Just $100 today.

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