IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 17, Issue 3.Ver. I (Mar. 2015), PP 01-15 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/487X-17310115 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Factors Influencing the Growth of Hair Salon Enterprises in Kenya: A Surveyof Hair Salon Enterprises in Kisii Town Samuel Kenlands Otieno Onsongo, Department of Entrepreneurship Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Kenya P.O Box 62,000 – 00200 Nairobi – Kenya Cell: 0734408823; 0725904882 Email: samuelkenlands@gmail.com Dr. Willy Muturi Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, Kenya P.O Box 62,000 – 00200 Nairobi – Kenya Cell: 0722802099 Email: wmuturi@jkuat.ac.ke Abstract: Various studies carried out in Kenya show that hair salons do not show the expected upward growth despite their numbers soaring up. Their economic contributions minimal. The general objective of the study was to establish the influence of entrepreneur’s characteristics on the growth of hair salon enterprises in Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were: to establish the influence of the entrepreneur’s experience on the growth of hair salon enterprises; to establish the influence of the entrepreneur’s training on the growth of hair salon enterprises; to establish the influence of the entrepreneur’s level of education on the growth of hair salon enterprises.. Self-administered questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. The sample size for the study comprised 92 owner-managers, one county trade officer, and one MSEDO totaling to 94 respondents. Data were processed and analyzed using the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) version 19 and Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Data were analyzedusing descriptive statistics (mean, mode, median, and standard deviation), inferential statistics (correlation analysis and simple linear regression) and ANOVA. t-test was used to test the study hypothesis at 0.05 confidence level. Reliability test gave a Cronbach alpha of 0.954and a value of0.893based on standardized items. It emerged that entrepreneur’s experience, level of education and training influence growth. The study recommended that the government provides intensive training and other support services for the small enterprises to grow, offer an enabling environment for to support the small enterprises. Further, there should be information centers in every county and sub-county where MSEs obtain support. Key words: Entrepreneurship, Growth, MSEs, Business Experience, Training, Education Level, Medium enterprises, Small enterprises. I. Introduction 1.1. Background of the Study A vibrant private sector that builds on the combined linkages between MSEs and large enterprises supported by good governance and an enabling business environment have been considered as the backbone and engine of a healthy economy and society. Especially in developing economies, people regard entrepreneurship as a precondition for generating employment, enhancing productivity, maintaining competitiveness, contributing to development and reducing poverty (EBRD, 2004). 1.2. An overview of MSEs the world over Micro and Small enterprises (MSEs) form the backbone of all economies. They are a key source of economic growth, dynamism and flexibility in advanced and industrialized countries, as well as those that are emerging and developing. MSEs constitute the dominant form of business organization, accounting for over 95per cent and up to 99per cent of enterprises depending on the country. They are responsible for between 60- 70per cent net job creation in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Small businesses are particularly important for bringing innovative products or techniques to the market (OECD, 2006). In Nigeria, MSEs account for 95 percent of formal manufacturing activity and 70 percent of industrial jobs. In South Africa, micro and small firms provide more than 55 percent of total employment and 22 percent of GDP (OECD, 2005). According to European Observatory (ENSR, 1997), MSEs employing up to 250 people accounted for 68 million jobs in the European Union. Furthermore, available data from some African countries