How did you start this business venture?
The idea came up immediately after my marriage in 2015 when I was a 200-level student at the University of Maiduguri, studying Biological Science, and was only 19 years old. It all began by seeking permission from shop owners with unique and quality items. I then uploaded such items on my social media to display them for interested buyers. Through that, I managed to make a little profit. I started by selling five wrappers. I go to Lagos to get my wrappers, and bring them to Kano State for sale. It took me a long time to get customers’ trust and confidence. But after realizing that the items I display are unique and their prices are affordable to my customers, many people relied on me and through their feedback and reference, I got a lot more customers.
What was your financial situation at the time?
My husband first gave me N80,000 as capital and later on, my elder brother gave me N300,000 for support. The capital and the help of social media, coupled with referrals made by my friends, family members, and some customers also made it very easy for me to succeed in my business.
What is the hardest part of doing this business?
The hardest part of succeeding in this business is the endurance of it all. The complaints, criticism, harsh approach, and sometimes demeaning and insulting words from some customers.
Customers always want to see positive results and timely delivery; any other thing will be greeted with fierce complaints. So, for me to succeed, I developed a very thick skin for such complaints. I did that by emphasizing my customers’ predicaments and I do not hesitate to apologize when I cause their predicaments. And if it is a reason beyond me, I will exhaustively explain it to them and still apologize.
Another challenge that is beyond my control is the government regulatory bodies, such as the port authorities, and the Herculean protocols and procedures of our ports. Despite these, we do manage all with optimism and dedication.
What must one do to be successful in this business?
To me, the procedure has always remained three methods which are: Know the things that your customers need and make them available for them to buy. Do not be greedy; once you are not, you won’t run into a loss; be content with the little that you can get as a profit.
So, for anyone to succeed in business, he or she must know the business they are about to engage in, not be too eager and desperate to be rich or to succeed, and most of it all, be a patient being.
How do you grow your business?
Social media is my biggest tool, especially WhatsApp and Instagram. These have played a big role in growing my business.
I do write very captivating and customer-attractive captions on my status and attach very unique pictures to my products then follow them with a very affordable price. Doing these, my customers do not only buy for the affordability of the price or the beauty of the pictures attached, but the persuasiveness in the words I do use in advertising my items.
How do you pay your staff?
I have five logistics staff who do the delivery of goods and services and are based on the target. I target them 10 deliveries every day and each delivery is N500, and they earn N150 on each which is always recorded, and at the end of the month, I will multiply it by 30 and pay them as salary. I also have my manager who goes to the airport to collect the goods and so on and I pay for his service too.
Any advice for people who want to start this business?
I advise people who want to venture into any business to never listen to anyone. There is nothing in life that they cannot do legally to earn an income. They should have the courage, be good, truthful, and never cheat their customers.
