Let’s talk about rounds.
You’ve probably been in one.
Or you’re in one right now.
Community saving rounds — mukando, stokvels, rotating saving schemes — they’ve helped us build, dream, and do things we never thought we could.
They’re beautiful when they work.
Because they remind us of trust, discipline, and collective support.
But for small business owners, rounds can also be where the boat starts sinking silently.
Let me explain.
Rounds should be done from surplus.
Not survival.
Not panic.
Not pressure.
But surplus.
Because the moment you start taking from your business float or working capital to contribute to a round — you are killing your business slowly.
I’ve seen it happen.
▶️ You skip restocking because you’re paying someone their turn in the round.
▶️ You delay ordering new stock.
▶️ You postpone paying staff.
▶️ You hold back on that investment that could’ve taken your hustle to the next level — because your capital is “locked” in a rotation system.
And then business slows down.
Clients stop coming.
You can’t meet demand.
And you start blaming the economy.
But deep down, it’s because you prioritized a system of contributions over the sustainability of your own operations.
It’s not that rounds are bad.
They’re not.
But:
Rounds don’t grow your money.
They just return what you gave — later.
That delay can cost your business more than you realize.
And most rounds don’t have buffer systems. If your cash runs out mid-month, no one in the round is refunding you.
You’ll just have to wait for your turn.
So here’s the message:
Dear small business owner,
✅ Only join rounds when you’re contributing from surplus — not your business capital.
✅ If you haven’t restocked, don’t round.
✅ If you’ve missed two customer orders, don’t round.
✅ If you’re behind on rent or wages, don’t round.
✅ If you’re paying for status or pressure — don’t round.
Sometimes we give from a place of guilt, performance, or fear.
But real wealth is built from strategy, not emotion.
Rounds can be beautiful — if done wisely.
But your business deserves to breathe.
Let it grow.
Let it stabilize.
Let it pay you first — before you pour into others.
Be kind to your business.
And be wise with your money.