8 Business Risks Every Startup, CBO, and Small Business Must Take to Build a Strong Digital Presence
📊 Why Risk Is the Currency of Growth
Here’s something most people don’t realize: 80% of self-made millionaires started poor but took risks others avoided (Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report 2023).
And it’s not just billionaires. Small organizations and CBOs across Africa who dared to take small digital risks — like investing in a website, trying social media, or learning new tech tools — are now reaching thousands of people they never thought possible.
From my journey starting in Kakuma refugee camp to now serving clients in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Sudan, and Tanzania, I’ve seen this truth over and over:
👉 The organizations that grow are the ones that risk trying something new.
Here are 8 risks you must take if you want your CBO, startup, or small business to thrive in today’s digital world.
1️⃣ Risk Building an Online Presence Early
It’s risky to invest in a website when budgets are tight. But here’s the data: 81% of people research a business online before making a decision (Zippia, 2024). If you’re invisible online, you’re losing opportunities.
That’s why when I launched Digital Ninjas Cloud, my first priority was helping small CBOs in Kakuma get websites. Within 6 months, we hosted 30+ websites, giving thousands of refugees a platform to share their stories.
👉 A website is not a cost. It’s the foundation of your visibility.
2️⃣ Risk Sharing Your Story on Social Media
Yes, it takes time. Yes, it feels uncomfortable at first. But 54% of consumers say they discover small businesses through social media (Meta, 2023).
When you share your CBO’s journey, your small shop’s products, or your startup’s mission online — you’re building trust. At Best Digital Ninjas, we automate social posting so even busy founders can show up daily without stress.
3️⃣ Risk Facing Rejection
Not everyone will support your work. When I pitched websites in my early days, many said, “We don’t need it.” Months later, those same people came back when they realized their competitors were growing online.
👉 Rejection is not the end — it’s a delay. Keep going.
4️⃣ Risk Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Comfort feels safe, but growth lives outside of it. One CBO I worked with in Turkana hesitated to invest in digital tools. When they finally did, they expanded their reach beyond the camp and attracted global partners.
👉 If you want donors, customers, or supporters — they are online. You must be there too.
5️⃣ Risk Starting Small but Thinking Big
Many startups think they need big budgets to compete. Not true. WhatsApp began with just $250,000 seed funding before selling to Facebook for $19 billion.
The same applies locally. You don’t need a big budget — you need consistency. Start with a simple website, one social media page, and a plan. Scale from there.
6️⃣ Risk Adapting to Change
AI and digital tools are reshaping everything. Some fear them. But here’s the fact: businesses using automation save up to 30% of their time every week (McKinsey, 2023).
That’s why we integrated AI into Best Digital Ninjas — so small teams and CBOs can do more with less.
👉 Don’t resist change. Adapt and you’ll thrive.
7️⃣ Risk Investing in Relationships
Your success isn’t just about tech. It’s about people. Build networks online, engage donors, listen to your customers.
When I felt alone building Best Digital Ninjas, it was client feedback that kept me going. Their belief built my confidence. Your network will do the same for you.
8️⃣ Risk Going All In
At some point, you must stop “testing” and commit. That’s how organizations break through.
When we started offering website hosting in Kenya, many thought it was impossible. Today, our partners use this model to create sustainable income, serve their communities, and grow their impact.
👉 Commit to your digital future. Don’t wait.
💡 Final Word
Every small business, startup, or CBO faces risks. But here’s the truth: avoiding risk is the biggest risk of all.
If you:
- Don’t build a website → you risk being invisible.
- Don’t show up on social → you risk being forgotten.
- Don’t invest in tech → you risk being left behind.
Take small, smart risks today. Two years from now, you’ll be glad you did.
🚀 Start With Us
At Digital Ninjas Cloud, we exist to remove the heavy tech burden so you can focus on impact. We provide:
- 🌐 Websites & Hosting
- 📱 Social Media Automation
- ⭐ Reputation & Review Management
- 🤖 AI Marketing Tools
📩 Email: support@digitalninjascloud.com
💬 WhatsApp: +254 116229822
📅 Book a free call: digitalninjascloud.com/call
Your future community, customers, and donors are already online. The only question is — will they find you?
