think

Why are you in Nigeria?

I’ve been asked that question more times than I can count. My answer is usually the same – I have some ventures I’m looking to explore. Sometimes, there are looks of confusion, heavy sighs, or just good old-fashioned disbelief and head-shaking. But, I understand. Someone moving to Nigeria from Canada, at time when people are leaving Nigeria for Canada in droves, is puzzling. I guess my “interviewers” are wondering whether I know something they do not. Maybe I do.

I lived in Canada for eight years, and within that period, started three different businesses there that did fairly well (most popularly, Pearl Kreations) before I moved back. I came here to set Nigerian subsidiaries and explore other possibilities. I did I come with a mindset to introduce new concepts, disrupt/turn things around and rake in millions? Absolutely. Have I been humbled? Most definitely. Have I done well? Yet to be determined. I’m joking; by God’s grace, I’m doing well. However, here’s what I’ve realized about entrepreneurship in the Nigerian economy – there readily is no reward or support for competence, effort and ingenuity. The system largely favors those with access to power/political connections and rewards them with highly lucrative government contracts and ridiculous grants. Vusi Thembekwayo put it this way – if you look at how the top 25 wealthiest and most celebrated people in your country made their wealth, you can easily determine the type of economy you live in. Did the top 25 wealthiest Nigerians all build their businesses from the ground up (without backdoor deals and government favors)? You decide.

Of course, there are/will be exceptions to the rule, and certainly, you can live comfortably as an entrepreneur, especially if you’re a professional, like an accountant or architect. Anything other than those, would be tough, but not impossible. However, real wealth may elude you. As you may have concluded, there are very few entrepreneurs in this country who have built substantial wealth without connections or government contracts/favors. That says a lot about our business environment. This is particularly disappointing for me because a little over ten years ago, I had a totally different experience.

After running my first business for about a year, I applied to be a vendor for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. I noticed there were vendors for all manners of merchandises, but no one selling button-badges (which was my product). I saw that opportunity and applied. I got a response requesting for, what then seemed like, all sorts of random documents. I can assume now, in actuality, they were probably things like business registration documents, bank statements and so on. I replied the email stating that I was a freshman at McMaster University, had started a small business, saw an opportunity and decided to take it; I had none of the documents requested of me. A few days later, I was approved! I got sent all the documents verifying my business community membership by mail, and a congratulatory email as well. Just like that, I got in. No connections; except God, of course.

Small businesses are the backbone of any economy, and in recent years, it seems Nigeria has caught on. Things are still a little dodgy, with hints of favoritism here and there, but improving. I’m thrilled that with the impending COVID19 lockdown, so many people have gotten fired up to start a venture of their own, either to complement their income, or in transition from former employment. Whatever the reason, the best time to start is now.

However, in my experience, a lot of Nigerian SMEs aren’t equipped to take advantage of the new business environment and emerging opportunities. They are simply not very creative in their quests for business opportunities. They’re not entrepreneurial. I’ve discovered that what most people get into, and aspire to go into, once they have some capital is trading – purchase and resale of goods – and this makes them traders, not entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur is a word that has become so loosely used, people think it’s a synonym for business owner. The fact is, not every business person is an entrepreneur. By the way, with the way things are going, except you’re selling foodstuff or hygiene essentials, you’re in the wrong business (as a trader).

The truth is, people pay for solutions, and entrepreneurs are solution providers.

Entrepreneurs create products and/or services that meet the needs of people for a profit. Entrepreneurs meet needs and get paid for it.

If you really want to be successful and wealthy, as an entrepreneur, you need to solve problems.

We tend to think too small here in Africa. The average entrepreneur is scared to be ambitious. Rather than thrive, they’re content with surviving. Well, I won’t stand for it. I’m incredibly passionate about small business, and for the past three years, have devoted most of my time into Herança Financial, the venture through which I work with/help budding entrepreneurs start, grow and manage their businesses. Coupled with my personal experiences, I’m somewhat of an expert in business (humble brag). So, with current state of the nation and the shape of the economy, I think now is as good a time as any, to share my knowledge and expertise with a greater number of people, and help them start the right way and avoid the unnecessary hardships that ignorance tends to lead.

First of all, I’ll reiterate. An entrepreneur identifies a need and works towards satisfying it, or works towards improving upon an already existing product/service, or creates demand for a product/service of value i.e. creates a need and provides the solution. The provision of the solution brings the reward – money. The bigger the problem, the bigger the reward for its solution.

Once you have a solution, please ensure the product or service has a Unique Selling Point (USP). A USP is the mark of distinction of any business. It can also be referred to as your value proposition. In all likelihood, your company won’t be the only one offering that product/service (at least, not for long), so it’s important to have either a feature, advantage or benefit that’ll separate your business from current and prospective competition. Without a USP, you won’t stand out. Please note, lower price is not a good strategy for a small business; it’s just not sustainable.

Next, identify your target market. Never make the mistake of assuming your product or services will appeal to everyone. You’re dreaming. However, your target customers will want and appreciate your products or services. They can be grouped into primary, secondary and invisible; I’ll explain later. Just know that they are the persons or businesses with the highest probability of buying your products or services. Once, you’ve identified them, profile them. Your profile should include their locations, spending habits, hobbies, and age group. These will help you know how much they would be willing to spend on your product/service and the best way to reach them. I like using Indomie Noodles as an example. Their target market isn’t everyone, it’s children. Children are their primary target market. That’s why their ads are so playful and colorful; why they invented “The Indomitables” (Superheroes) figurines and stickers; why their ads are on television and radio, not Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (most children are not on social media). They have bigger sizes (like Hungry Man and Belleful) for adults, their secondary target market.

With the proper identification of your target customers, you need know your competition. Your competition is the person or business who offers the same products/services or benefits (as perceived by your target customers). They can be grouped into direct, indirect and invisible. Direct competition are those that offer the same products/services you do; for example, Coke and Pepsi. Indirect competition are those that offer the same benefits; for example, Domino’s Pizza and KFC – different products but same benefit (fast food). Invisible competition are those you didn’t consider. They usually the bigger players that have the capacity [and potential desire (especially if you’re successful)] to offer the same product/services or benefits as you. By understanding your competition, you gain competitive intelligence. Competitive Intelligence is the process of learning, collecting/gathering and using information about your competition for the purpose of growing your own business. It helps you to keep improving upon or redefining your business model, so you’re not easily surpassed.

I’m sure I’ve given you more than enough to think about, so I’ll stop here.

The first step is to sit down and think! Find a need, preferably in an area you’re passionate about. Ask God to reveal the solution to you, and provide you with the means to execute it. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about the idea, but the execution of the plan. And as you execute, remember, please think globally. Find the application of the solution not just within your locale, but regionally and worldwide. The world is bigger than Nigeria.

All the best!

destiny

That’s me at age 5. I still have that calm demeanor till this day. On this day, my mom got me and my 1 year old sister all dressed up to take some professional pictures at a studio. People kept gushing. “Aww you look so smart and calm; you should be a doctor, it will fit/suit you”. I heard that a lot growing up, actually.

Eventually, in school, I started writing in essays that I wanted to be a doctor when I grow up. And, of course, my parents were very supportive. I remember when I was about 7, my mom got me a yellow toy doctor’s bag – complete with a stethoscope, sphyg, otoscope and reflex hammer. The following year, I made colored bandages and wipes during an art class. At 10, my dad got my sister and I the “Operation Game”. It’s a fun board game that mimicked the operating table of a surgeon. The objective was to remove various organs without “harming” the patient. I enjoyed it very much.

Over the next 3 years, I got lost. I wanted to be a scientist 👨🏽‍🔬 at a point. Back then, after Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel was my jam. Then, I wanted to be a zoologist because I loved learning/reading about animals. There was no animal I hadn’t memorized. To all these, my mom just shook her head. It was when I told her I wanted to be a philosopher or psychologist that she set me straight – neither of those was going to happen. She suggested being a Chemical Engineer, like one of her brothers. She said they made good money, especially those that worked for oil companies. As a teenager, she had me at “good money”. It was settled. I was going to be an Engineer 👷.

Unfortunately, based on my JSCE result, the Guidance & Counseling Department placed me in the Science Class for those Medically-inclined. I was so upset and wouldn’t have it. I went over there I asked to be put in Engineering instead. It took me 2 years of bordering on failing Further Maths and hating Physics to realize that maybe Engineering wasn’t my calling. My brain just couldn’t do abstract.

One night at 16, while home, happily studying for a Biology test, I thought, “What about Medicine?”. I went to my parents’ room to discuss my new career choice. They both happily approved. Whew! No more Further Maths or Engineering! Dr Adade loading 👨🏽‍⚕️.

For college, I applied to University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Ghana, and Covenant University. I only got accepted by Covenant University, and for Computer Science. I didn’t mind. I was comfortable pursuing Medicine as a second degree, plus I liked computers. When I learned Computer Science is also known as Software Engineering, I nearly flipped. I was like “Hell no! I’m not doing this”. Everyone tried to calm me. I was like no, I’m not going through hell for 4 years. I wished just I just chosen Psychology 😄.

After a year of Computer Science, I got into Houdegbe North American University to study Medicine! Yay! I loved it and I excelled. Unfortunately, the school had one too many challenges with the Nigerian Medical Board, so I had to leave, but I made a friend there who shared a business idea I wouldn’t remember for 3 years.

I was rerouted to Canada. By then, I had decided to be an oncologist. I was 19. By the time the roadmap there was drawn up for me early 2007, it was going to take me 12 years! I’d have just become an oncologist a few months ago, if I went ahead. I wasn’t happy, but I didn’t have a Plan B. To make matters worse, some ex-classmates from Covenant University were getting set for their National Youth Service (NYSC) and there I was, starting all over again. My mom kept telling me “It’s not how long, but how well”. She didn’t understand, I told myself.

I decided that if I was going to have to do a first degree before I can study Medicine, I might as well choose a course I think I’d enjoy. So, I choose Psychology😄! September 2007, at 20, I started my first year at McMaster University. It turns out Psychology wasn’t what I’d imagined. I seemed to enjoy a course called Health Studies a little more, so I started gravitating towards it by January 2008, especially since I aced the introductory level effortlessly.

Thankfully, everything changed for me that month. One night, I suddenly remembered the business idea from 2005. I was never business inclined, so my thought was to help my friend, since I had easier access to the materials need. I contacted him, reminded him of the idea and offered to help, but he had moved on. For some reason, I couldn’t let it go. That’s what’s led to the Pearl Kreations of today. The rest is history.

This is a photo of me giving a testimony in 2016. Pearl Kreations had just completed one of the largest contracts the company has ever been awarded, and our partner let us keep all the profit!

I didn’t become a doctor, engineer, or psychologist 😄. Today, I’m a serial entrepreneur, and I’m happy and flourishing. It wasn’t necessarily by choice, but I believe it definitely was by divine design. I never in a million years would have pictured myself here. I didn’t think I had the personality for it, but c’est la vie!

I guess what I’m trying to say is, sometimes, the future may not be clear or lead where you always dreamed, but somehow, the people you meet, places you go, and chances you take, may lead to where you were always meant to be. Trust the process. Trust God. Enjoy your journey.

It’s not how long, but how well.

plan

It’s my birthday today. I’ve gotten lots of great gifts from my lovely family and loved ones. I’m feeling so happy and magnanimous that I’ve decided to share what goes into the preparation of an excellent business plan; well, the way we do it at Herança Financial. I’m expecting guests from 2:00 pm, so I’ll make this quick.

The first part should be the Executive Summary. As part of the name implies, it is a summary of the entire document. This means even though it comes first, it is usually prepared last. Essentially, it should have briefs on the most important aspects of the company to banks and prospective investors – profile, market analysis, start up cost, and projections.

Next is the Company Overview. This is where you put in the profile of your company (logo too, if you have one), your motto/slogan, your clear-cut mvvpp/mission, vision, values, philosophy, and positioning statement; your products/services and the pricing, your management structure, and the equity distribution of your company.

The Marketing Plan comes next. It is most likely going to be the bulkiest part of the plan. It should have a comprehensive profile of your primary and secondary target markets, analysis of your competition (direct and indirect), SWOT analysis of your company and the competition, your competitive strategy/unique selling point (usp), your market share analysis and potential, and your marketing strategy for making sales to your target customers.

Next, if you choose to or would find it advantageous, develop a Networking Plan. This will basically list places where you’d regularly socialize (to market yourself and your business), your goals (to meet mentors, investors, and/or prospective customers), your budget, and the frequency of attendance.

Then, it’s time for the Operations Plan. Here, you list prospective location options and analyses of the various locations (including zoning and the layouts), required personnel (yourself, included) and respective job descriptions, and the compensation plan (wages/salaries, overtime pay, bonuses, severance packages, study leaves, maternity/paternity leaves, and so on).

Another optional section is Government Assistance. You can include this for your personal use and/or to demonstrate you’ve done your homework on grants available to entrepreneurs and SME owners in your industry and proposed area of operation.

Finally, the most important section to banks and investors, the Financial Plan. This will house your balance sheet or personal net worth statement (if your company is not yet operational), start up cost/SUCs (include the utility bills projections and wages for defined length of time), your revenue model, sales forecast/projections (monthly, quarterly, and Year One to Year Three/Five), loan repayment structure, and [projected] income statement.

If you want to go the extra mile, like we do, put in a Customer Service Plan. This will have your code of conduct, dispute policy, employee discipline and evaluation practices, social media decorum, and so on). You can also add your Corporate Image Package/CIP. This will simply have samples of your brochure, business card, invoice, letterhead sheet, and flyers).

That’s it.

If it seems like a lot of work, it’s because it is!

You can always contact Herança Financial for assistance.

All the best!

 

profitable

There is something you can do that no one else can, or something you do better than most people. That’s your skill, your talent, your gift from God.

You might need to go get an education to discover/perfect it, or get some sort of degree or certification in order to legally practice, but once it’s awakened, there’s no mistaking it.

In order to make trade with your skill, you need to have a plan on how to monetize it and creative in your quest for business opportunities.

In essence, you need to be entrepreneurial.
Even though “entrepreneur” is loosely used these days, but an entrepreneur isn’t necessarily someone who purchases and resells goods – that’s a trader, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

An entrepreneur, in the true sense of the word, is a solution provider who people pay to solve/for solving their problems.

Entrepreneurs create products and/or services that meet the needs of people and make a profit due to their creativity and ingenuity.

Take Aliko Dangote, for example.
He provides cement, salt, and sugar through Dangote Industries, and as long as those products are valuable to people, and he will continue to be profitable.

Take Mitchell Elegbe, for example, also.
He provides digital payment solutions through Interswitch, and as long as those services are valuable to people, and he will continue to be profitable.

Clearly, being profitable isn’t reserved solely for Christians, but as a Christian, you have an advantage due to your easy access to Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, most Christians are lazy; they want God to do everything for them. He gave you a brain for thinking, so use it, but He’s always available to advise and guide you, if you ask.

So many Christians may have a lot of explaining to do when they return home because God expects you make good use of the talent(s) He gave you since your conception. He expects/wants you to be valuable and financially secure.

You want to be profitable?
1) Identify a need.
2) Think while you ask God to reveal the solution to you.
3) Once you have it, start making plans while you ask God to provide you with the means to execute it.
4) Go for it! With the power of Holy Spirit, you can’t lose.

However, as you execute, please think globally. Don’t stop with Lagos or Nigeria. Expand your sights beyond your locale to explore the application of the solution(s) regionally and internationally.

wave

After discussing the possibility of a consulting partnership with Omasan O*, an ambitious gentleman I met in Abuja late last year, he told me to also consider working with an equally ambitious lady passionate about helping young people take charge of their destinies. He couldn’t say enough good things about her – she’s smart, went to ivy league schools, driven, and so on. My interest was piqued. I looked her up, and indeed, Misan Rewane is all he said and more. Her vision – West African Vocational Education (WAVE) Academies – is to train West African youths in relevant vocational skills and empower them to gain and maintain employ-ability, place them in suitable, stable jobs with its employer partners, and support them through monthly workshops and mentorship.

I’m also passionate – about helping people start viable business ventures, business ventures that, in due time, will create employment for others. So, Omasan thought our passions intersected at some point, and I agreed. On that note, I sent her an introductory message on Facebook. I told her about Herança Financial, our offerings like entrepreneurship coaching, supervisory training, and so on. I told her I recently returned to provide similar services to Nigerian businesses and entrepreneurs. She responded favorably in a timely fashion, and got me in touch with her associate, Folakemi O*, who connected me with Morinola O* and Modupe A*. I explained my angle to them – there might be a few students every batch, if not all, that would benefit from a crash course in small business management, and there might be those who don’t want a job and would much rather be in business for themselves, or have a long-term goal of being self-employed. They agreed, and even suggested an alternative where WAVE could offer a special course in entrepreneurship development/training for youths considering starting their own business.

Anyway, long story short, I gave my first lecture at WAVE yesterday. I used my usual Entrepreneurship 101 format. It was fun. The students, or trainees (as they are called) were attentive and had a lot of questions too. Modupe A* had a few of them share what they learnt when I was done, and I was very pleased to know that it all sunk in.

Afterwards, I finally got to meet with Misan in the flesh. She definitely is passionate about solving unemployment in West Africa. From all I saw firsthand, and all she told me, as startups go, they’re definitely not doing badly; especially for a not-for-profit. However, they have a long way to go, and they require more funding – preferably in form of grants – to get there. They (Misan Rewane, Karan Chopra, Bryan Mezue, and Navid Rahimi) were initially able to start by winning a grant through the Harvard Business School (HBS) New Venture Competition – Social Enterprise Track. Now, they also generate funds themselves – from tuition fees (currently ₦10,000.00 NGN), and job placement commissions (one-third of first month salary), but primarily from the job placement of the trainees; essentially, they don’t get paid if their graduates don’t get placed. That’s what I call commitment.

Naturally, being Nigerian, the project started here in August 2013 with 12 trainees. It has since grown – 128 trainees (on a budget of $125,288.00 USD) between 2013 and 2014. They’re focused on 500 trainees by the end of this year (on a budget of $410,000.00 USD), and the goal is 25,000 trainees (on a budget of $1,040,000.00 USD) every year from WAVE centers all over West Africa by 2019!

Over the past year, not only have they been able to secure a training center in Lagos, Nigeria – WAVE Hospitality Academy, 3 Spencer Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, under Misan’s leadership, they have also been able to partner with 55 employers and achieve a 70% successful job placement rate for their graduates – 156 of them have been able to double their income; now earning $200.00 USD (about ₦43,000.00 NGN) monthly. Come August 12th, WAVE Academies will be two years old, and moving to a new office site! It is still in Alagomeji, Yaba, but at 51 Hughes Avenue, off Herbert Macaulay Road. Oh, and did I mention they have been nominated for the UN Impact Sourcing Award?! It is a big deal, so please take a moment to vote for West African Vocational Education (WAVE) via link. Show our very own some love.

By the way, if you’re reading this, and would like to enroll for their 3-week training program, please click. You can also get in touch with them by calling +234-1-291-6586 / +234-817-723-6025, or visiting waveacademies.org.

I have no doubt that in no time, with continued support from organizations like, Agora Fund, Berke, Box.org, Cordes Foundation, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Echoing Green, LinkedIn for Good, Salesforce Foundation, and private individuals, like me and you, WAVE Academies is going to be an even bigger success story – changing the lives of the over 50 million unemployed and underemployed youths – not only in Nigeria, but in Benin, Niger, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Cape Verde 🙂