STOP BEING ASHAMED OF SMALL BEGINNINGS

By Ewere Okonta, PhD

08037383019

eobnewsmedia@gmail.com

eob.org.ng

There is something wrong with our culture when a young graduate would rather remain unemployed for three years than start a legitimate business because the business does not look “big enough.”

A young man says:

"I studied Accounting. How can I be selling perfumes?"

Another says:

"I am a graduate. How can I be washing clothes?"

Another says:

"I cannot be making small chops. What will people say?"

Another says:

"I have a degree. I cannot be doing social media management."

Who told you that?

There is dignity in honest work.

There is dignity in providing a service.

There is dignity in solving a problem.

There is dignity in feeding people.

There is dignity in creating employment.

There is dignity in building a brand from nothing.

And there is certainly dignity in making legitimate money.

The question is not whether your first business looks impressive.

The question is whether it creates value and pays you.

YOUR PHONE MAY BE YOUR FIRST OFFICE

This generation has something previous generations did not have in this form: unprecedented access to digital tools.

A young Nigerian can learn a skill online, create a portfolio, market a service, receive payment, communicate with customers and build a brand without leaving home.

That does not mean the digital economy is easy money. It is not.

There are still problems of expensive data, unreliable electricity, access to devices, limited skills and inadequate financing. Recent research on Nigerian digital entrepreneurs continues to identify precisely these barriers. (AJOL)

But the opportunity is real.

A recent FATE Foundation report found that social media and digital marketing were the most widely adopted technology tools among youth entrepreneurs surveyed, and many reported gaining new customers and referrals through technology. (Fate Foundation)

So, perhaps the question is no longer:

“Where can I get a job?”

Perhaps we should also be asking:

“What can I build?”

DON'T BORROW MILLIONS TO PROVE A POINT

Another piece of advice for the young entrepreneur:

Do not start big simply because you want to look successful.

You do not need a magnificent office on day one.

You do not need expensive furniture.

You do not need ten employees.

You do not need a company car.

You do not need to spend your first profit throwing a party.

Start lean.

Test the market.

Know your customer.

Keep proper records.

Separate business money from personal money.

Reinvest.

And grow according to demand.

If 10 customers can sustain you, serve the 10 exceptionally well.

When they become 50, expand.

When they become 500, build systems.

That is how a small business becomes a big business.

THE NEW DEFINITION OF SUCCESS

Perhaps we need to change the way we define success among young Nigerians.

Success is not necessarily wearing expensive clothes at 25.

Success is not driving a borrowed car to impress people.

Success is not posting luxury photographs on Instagram.

Success is not pretending to have money.

Success is building something that can pay your bills, support your family, create opportunities for others and give you the freedom to dream bigger.

For the fresh graduate, your degree may open the door.

But your skill, character, creativity, discipline and entrepreneurial courage may determine what happens after you enter.

And for those who are still unemployed, do not allow unemployment to become your identity.

You are unemployed.

You are not unemployable.

There is a difference.

You can learn.

You can create.

You can sell.

You can serve.

You can collaborate.

You can build.

You can start again.

ONE LAST THING

To the young Nigerian reading this:

If all you have today is ₦5,000, start thinking.

If all you have is ₦20,000, start learning.

If you have ₦50,000, start testing.

If you have a smartphone, start creating.

If you have a laptop, start freelancing.

If you have a kitchen, start producing.

If you have a skill, start selling it.

If you have no money at all, start with a service that requires your knowledge and labour rather than inventory.

And if you have a degree, do not bury it under frustration.

Use it.

Let your education help you think better, organise better, communicate better and solve problems better.

But remember:

Your degree is not your job.

Your degree is a tool.

Your skill is a tool.

Your smartphone is a tool.

Your network is a tool.

Your creativity is a tool.

Your courage is a tool.

And sometimes, the difference between the person who remains unemployed and the person who becomes an entrepreneur is not millions of naira.

It is simply this:

One waited.

The other started.

So, what are you waiting for?

Start something.

Not tomorrow.

Today.

Dr Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media, a family-values advocate, teacher and writer. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.