Takin’ off the Lid
…a little about me and my approach to life and business.
For personal reasons, I am not one to talk about my journey. A lot of people are like that too. Nevertheless, on some occasions, I feel pumped up about my work, especially when it yields expected results, and go out with a trumpet sound to share the good news which in most cases has no trace of the work that got me the accolade.
Circa 2013/14, my friends told me about how they had been buying things from China via Aliexpress.com and it gets delivered to them at little or no cost. They did a lot of importation, mostly for personal consumption at the time, but I had no interest in it. I am pro Nigeria and would prefer to buy my things from a Nigerian online store — Konga.com.
Sometime later, I needed to buy something that was not available in the local market.
Here’s another fun fact about me; I don’t buy things by how they look or what brand the item if from. I buy only what I need.
How do I do this?
I check within myself to know exactly what need is to be met. I use the specifics of the problem to find the solution and then go to the market with sufficient clarity, seeking the product that can solve the identified problem.
So, I began to check online for this device that I needed for my car. My search led me to the same Aliexpress.com that my friends use for their purchases. I sought their help and learnt the ropes fast.
Well, as you might expect, I didn’t stop there. When I found the item I needed, I ordered it and it was delivered as I was told. I then noticed that there were many other items that I needed in the past but was unaware that they could be cheap and delivered to me. So, I went on a rampage. lol.
Upon discovering that this device which I bought could benefit others, I got a few more units and gave a few units to my friends to use and give feedback on the performance. Some were probably concerned that there was a catch and refused to use it. There was no catch as I was willing to take back the items afterward. Those who desired to own the device were allowed to own them at a discounted price, very close to the cost price.
A few years later, I had sold hundreds of units of the same item on Konga.com alongside other items. Meanwhile, in the second year of sales on Konga, I now had a proper business focused on the importation of electronic gadgets which included Laptops, computer peripherals, and phone accessories and selling them online; so I set foot on other popular platforms. The logistic challenges were too many with the other platforms, so I pulled the plugs after about a year with them.
Don’t get carried away, however, I wasn’t selling the things that were readily available in the market. I sought out a niche for every product I sold, set my price, and ruled the niche.
I don’t do red oceans, just blue oceans.
I don’t believe in building a business because I am hungry. Rather, when I think about building a business, I am not driven by the hunger I feel today, but by a desire to build an enterprise that will provide sustenance for the seasons when I am unable to work.
In the past 5 years, I have helped build a few companies. In the ones I am personally invested in, I make it a priority to not earn anything from the company until of course, there is sufficient profitability printed in black and white.
My gadget trade turned in the millions while it was fully operational, and all income was shovelled back into the business.
…
This is not the end. It is only the beginning.
