We left school in 2002 and my friend (and project partner) went ahead to establish an ICT firm despite plea from all quarters to take up an employment. Today, the company is doing great and have clients in some West African countries. I can still remember the days in 2002 when it seemed that the company was destined to collapse.

Things were so hard that he was finding it hard to pay our bills. It was in fact difficult to maintain his GSM bills at that time. He had to result to offering every service one could think of in ICT to survive. He just got involved in everything called ICT. Today, his office sits on the 4th floor of a building on Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

What is his secret?

He believed in himself and never gave up.

He made up his mind to give it all it takes and today he is doing what he really wants to do. I had a discussion with him some few weeks back on the opportunities that abound in Nigeria and I was amazed by his determination to implement every business idea that has ever come to his mind. His monthly revenue stands at an average of 10 million naira per month and he is still not satisfied with his current success. In September 2007, when the company will be 5 years, he would be stepping down as the CEO to pursue another project of his.

My friend’s story is just another proof that we can all achieve our dreams. The beginning might be rough but if we stay at it, we would have courses to smile pretty soon. What is it that you want to do? Are you currently working on a business project now and it seemed you are not getting support from all quarters? Dont loose give up now. You only need to reassure yourself once more that you are doing what you really want to do. Stay with your plan and the whole world would soon come to celebrate with you. You are destined to succeed!

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I therefore set out to understand the differences between these two sets of people. I read and still reading biographies of successful people. My conclusion is that those who the world term ˜lucky“ people that enjoy the kind of lifestyle they desire – are those that are always ready for their opportunity when it comes. They simply understand what they want in life, count the cost and decide to pursue their dreams and goals. One thing that is, therefore, needed by all is to equip oneself. You need to read that book, attend that seminar and even go for that training. There is no substitute for this except hard life.

The demographics and economic trends are in favour of a blooming market in Nigeria 5 to 10 years down the line. In 2001, 4 new GSM licenses were issued to interested companies. The result is so alarming. In just 5 years, the service delivery process is already been transformed. A typical example of this is the emergency of mobile payment solution. This just shows what a single reform can do to the economy of any country. So, locate a niche area and give it all you have got. This is the time to act. The truth is that if you fail to act now, you will still be where you are in 10 years and you will have yourself to blame for that ACT.

An adage says,

dont bite more than you can chew.

I would rather suggest that you bite more than you can chew. It will not kill you. It will only stretch you. Believe me, you can still hold on to that JOB and still get involved in other things (businesess, NGO etc). So, dont turn down that opportunity to make that impact our society so-desired. Many Nigerians are waiting for you to start that business. They need those services you want to render. Harness the opportunities that the society currently present and we all would be better for this.

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My friend (I call him my twin brother) and I then started customising this code for fellow students who had problems writing their codes. This exercise was itself free but we eventually earned some cash from the sales of Computer diskettes :-d Unknown to me, a seed was shown in me. That, definitely was the beginning of my entrepreneur’s journey. From 1998 till date, I have been involved in quite a number of business ventures – some I tried out with some friends and later drop, some have RC number from CAC but without the strength to handle the challenges ahead (no wonder, we all went our different ways) and others I am still trying out with my friends-in-progress.

I remember vividly one of such business ventures. The company started as a discussion between friends after one of the church services we attended in those days. We all saw a problem and at the same time decided to provide the solution. Hence, the birth of the company. The company started with full force with 10 people as directors (maybe the number even accounted for early exit of the company). We were never shot of ideas to implement and we even went to the extent of seeking the counsel of established business men. On one occassion, the MD and myself went to see one lady who was and is doing pretty fine in her business. She does not only help us to trash our business case, she also gave us the necessary confidence we need to go ahead. She made us to paint the picture of what clearly lie ahead.

The breakthrough (or I thought we had a breakthrough) came when we got a contract with one of the blue chip companies in the country. This, definitely, was an opportunity I thought we’d utilise but we found ourselves in a situation we could not handle. Before I could comprehend the turn of events, we were left with 4 people. What happened? 6 other directors left to pick up a paid-employment. Eventually, I had to run for cover myself. I would share my experience in subsequent write-ups.

I presently work with a Telecommunication company in Nigeria (a place I see as the school after school) though I still run my businesses side by side. The good news is that I have started working on my EXIT PLAN. I would be seeking the help of my mentors also in the next few days. Meanwhile, I would be keeping accurate records of my entrepreneural journey. Who knows? Someone out there might be able to offer the word(s) that might turn to be the solution to the challenges young people face. So, stay tuned as I share my experience and that of other that have blessed me…

NB: My focus is on Internet solution, Business Development, Product Managament and people development… So holla me if your interest lies within any of these.

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