Bridging African Talent with the World: How Yolre is Revolutionizing Art and Culture

What inspired you to start Yolre Limited?

My name is Ade Olusola Kunmi and I’ve always been inspired by the concept of being my own boss. Since secondary school, I have always been interested in business. My first business was selling perfume shortly after graduating from secondary school in 2006. Since then, I’ve started multiple businesses. This includes food packaging and water production. In 2015, after completing my National Youth Service in Nigeria, I established my first company in Nigeria, Rocace Foods Limited.

Yolre, on the other hand, grew out of my love for arts and culture. So Yolre was inspired by my enthusiasm for business and the arts. It was, however, registered as a corporation when I moved to the United Kingdom.

What problem does your startup solve, and how are you addressing it?

our primary goal is advancing the arts, yolre was established to be a catalyst for change in the creative industry. we recognize unique challenges faced in the arts and culture sectors, we sought to create a platform that not only supports the creative industry but also drives its growth and sustainability.

My company serves as a bridge between African artists and the rest of the globe. We showcase artist works from Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the world through online exhibitions. We also assist real estate developers, homeowners, and businesses in locating the appropriate artworks for the interior decorating of their houses. We also specialize in cultural entertainment and providing cultural entertainment for occasions in Nigeria and the diaspora.

What strategies have helped you attract and retain customers since launching?

One of the techniques I’ve used to attract clients is to promote my business through advertising and content creation. As a startup, the company often rely on Google and social media advertising.

Content creation also plays an important role. Others came through recommendations. So they contacted us, and we were able to retain them as customers by demonstrating a thorough understanding of what we do and an understanding of what they want. Clients feel safer when they know the person they’re dealing with is well-knowledgeable in the industry. Confidence is also important, and these are the personal characteristics that have helped us keep clients. And when it comes to our services, we make sure that our clients are satisfied throughout the process of our dealings, which has helped us to retain them.

What sets your business apart from competitors?

I believe my interest in the arts plays a significant role. Because, aside from making a profit which is one of our goals, I love what I do and am very passionate about it. So it’s a good thing I enjoy business, so why not turn my passion into a business? So my passion for what I do drives me to go above and beyond to delight my customers. Also, my knowledge of arts and culture has been beneficial. I can readily tell and suggest what type of artwork is required for a customer after they tell me their tale or background; I know exactly what type of art piece is required, as well as what the piece should represent and say. This is one of the factors that distinguishes my company from my competition.

How did you fund your startup in the early stages?

I supported my startup with my own finances. Yolre is still in its early stages. And, as the majority of our business is providing services/consultation, our clients offer the budget for what they require, which we then use to do their tasks. As we continue to achieve new milestones, we will undoubtedly seek external money from investors, but for the time being, I feel we are good.

My belief is that as much as we want to progress, we should not rush into something we are not prepared for. I don’t care how long the journey takes; doing things right is far more important to me than doing things quickly.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

Some of the problems we faced included competing with larger organizations in the industry. I also believe that competition is beneficial, as it forces us to look inward to see how we can do something unique that will set us apart from our competitors. And as we laid out our swot analysis, we realized that our size as a smaller company is not a weakness, but rather a strength. So our strength lies in being a smaller company and a startup; we are very ambitious to the point where we want to impress our clients by ensuring that we do and exceed what the larger companies do because we need our customers to trust us.
Larger corporations may not be as specific and thorough to the ultimate customer of the product. But we can ensure that client happiness is a priority for us, from the moment our customers place an order until it is delivered. We ensure that they have a wonderful customer service experience. We have a lot to prove as a start-up, therefore we go above and above, which has also been our strength.

Can you share a key achievement or milestone you’re particularly proud of?

One of my key achievements is being recognized by the UK government as a leader in the field of arts and culture. This recommendation has enabled me to settle and establish my company in the United Kingdom. So the time it took me in terms of personal development when emigrating to the UK has been significantly less than most.
In just a few years, I’ve been able to launch three businesses in the UK and release music projects for two of my artists through my record label, and the songs have gone viral on social media. I have an online school and we are working for a commencement date of January 2025.

Where do you see your business in the next five years?

In the next five years, I believe we will be a significant participant in the arts, cultural, and entertainment sectors. I am particularly concerned with ensuring that the products we promote and sell are authentically African. The same goes for the artwork, music, and every other thing we do. In the next five years, we hope to have established a thriving learning community through our academy, where African history will be researched and our story shared in our own unique way.

What tools, software, or technology have been essential to your success?

I believe that having a basic understanding of design and how to use social media is important. These are basic abilities that everyone requires, and as simple as they are, they are also critical to any business. Also, my training in business communications at the Hertfordshire Business School has helped a lot.
I am also very talented in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro. I also have an excellent understanding of website design, which allows me to complete numerous tasks quickly at the start of my business. We also make use of Canva,  because Canva offers pre-designed templates which is faster to use and can be edited to one’s liking. These tools have been essential to our marketing.

 If you could give one piece of advice to your past self when you first started, what would it be?

That will be to continue learning. I discovered that whatever I learned was crucial to my development. As a child, my father would frequently push me to read newspapers, even though I had no idea what I was reading. However, he did say one thing that I remember: pick up any book you find around you and read it, even if it was only a few lines of pages. As a result, I am constantly eager to master new skills.
Everything I’ve learned over the years has served me well in some manner. I have opinions and points of view on a wide range of things, so when I meet someone and they are talking about anything specific, I always have something to say. So, my advice is to keep learning and broadening your knowledge; don’t be closed-minded.

Have you experienced failure in business, and if so, what did you learn from it?

Yes, I have. I founded my first business directly out of secondary school. I was 16 years old at the time, and I sold perfumes on credit to my friends, who happened to be my first clients. Only one paid, and the rest never paid until today. So that was the first business disaster I documented. I was unable to continue because I had not recouped my initial funds. I’ve had other failed enterprises, but I’m constantly learning as I move forward. Those failures taught me what to do and what not to do in business.

What books, podcasts, or resources would you recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs?

The majority of the books I read were in paperback and were quite helpful to me. The books I will recommend to aspiring entrepreneurs are Think Big by Donald Trump, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, The 50th Law by 50 Cent, and 48 Laws of Power by Robert B. Greene, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.

Other novels I enjoyed were audiobooks, which are available on Spotify. The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter by 50 Cent. I rarely listen to podcasts, with the exception of Jordan Peterson, whom I greatly adore and respect. I also listen to many motivational lectures on Spotify.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey?

I usually give advice based on my personal experience, and I will say this to anyone who is just starting out. Simply do it. There is no use in planning and waiting until everything is perfect; simply start and you will sort it out along the way.

As a startup, you shouldn’t focus too much on writing a business plan since you might be setting yourself up to fail. A business plan provides the business owner the appearance that it must be strictly followed for a business to be successful, and with that mindset, the business owner will be resistant to change when necessary.
However, I believe that as a startup, you must be adaptable. You must be able to adapt your strategy and apply new tricks and methods that were not initially planned. Simply know what you want to do and who you want to target, and leave room for flexibility on how you plan to achieve it. I believe that business plans are best suited for larger organizations that already have a working structure in place.
Another thing I’d like to mention is that anybody coming out of secondary school should start a business and fail. The early years of 16 to 25 are ideal for experimentation. Experiment with a variety of business ideas or skills, learn from your failures. Even if you fail, You will learn. Do not worry too much about whether it will be successful or not; instead, utilize it as a learning experience in understanding business. The experience will be useful at some point in your entrepreneurial journey.

What do you think about Olusola’s Story? Share your thoughts in the comment below.

How Affiong Williams Founded ReelFruit: A Story of Innovation and Persistence


For many, the journey into entrepreneurship starts with a side project that gradually grows into something bigger. But some bold individuals dive in headfirst, committing everything from the outset. Affiong Williams is one such individual. Over the past decade, the fruit-selling business she founded has flourished and expanded internationally.

Her BackStory

Affiong Williams was born on March 9, 1986. She initially aimed to become a medical doctor, earning a degree in Physiology and Psychology. However, by the time she graduated, her interests had shifted. Eager to explore new opportunities, she pursued a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration from Wits Business School in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2006.

Williams’ first job at Endeavour South Africa, an organization supporting SMEs in developing markets, introduced her to the world of entrepreneurship. After four years of working with and admiring entrepreneurs, she was ready to leap herself.

The Start of ReelFruit

Determined to enter the agribusiness sector, Williams initially planned to produce fruit juice to reduce post-harvest losses for farmers. Realizing the high cost of setting up a juice factory, she pivoted to dried fruits—a more affordable and power-independent option that aligned with Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Living in South Africa, where dried fruits were popular, she saw an untapped market in Nigeria. “I figured I could be the first to bring it to Nigeria and make it big. If I had done more research, I might have shelved the idea, but I was convinced Nigerians were open to new tastes. I believed all I needed was to create awareness and demand,” she recalled.

In 2012, she returned to Nigeria, bolstered by a ₦10 million UN grant she had been shortlisted for. However, shortly after her arrival, she learned she had not received the grant. Despite this setback, Williams persisted, determined to prove her idea’s worth.

Overcoming Challenges

Williams began by selling dried fruits she had brought from South Africa, using the feedback to refine her product. Initial sales were encouraging, leading her to produce more from her apartment. Demand soon outstripped her small-scale production capabilities.

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Securing her first angel investor, she invested in an office space, a small van, and additional staff. For the next five years, ReelFruit relied on third-party producers in Ghana while gradually building its own processing capacity.

Innovative Fundraising

Raising large funds for a new business in Nigeria proved challenging. Investors were sceptical about the dried fruit market’s potential. Williams adopted a strategy of raising small amounts to achieve specific milestones, gradually building investors’ trust.

“Investors found it easier to believe we could double sales, hire more people, or launch new products than achieve massive expansion,” Williams explained. This approach paid off, culminating in a successful Series A funding round nine years later.

“We spent the first five years proving our product wasn’t a flash in the pan. Given the challenges of raising funds in Nigeria, it took time, but I’m delighted with the outcome,” she said.

Today, ReelFruit offers a range of dried fruit and nut snacks through various channels, including over 700 stores, airlines, schools, hotels, and exports via Amazon. The company employs over 80 people across three regional offices in Nigeria and has trained 50 rural women to grow export-grade mangoes.

Future Plans and Recognitions

In September 2021, ReelFruit secured $3 million in Series A funding to expand its production capacity fivefold. The company aims to diversify its customer base, focusing on large manufacturers and export markets.

“For the next decade, we’re focusing on processing more inputs for large manufacturers and exporting. These segments will drive our growth,” Williams said.

Williams’ entrepreneurial journey has garnered numerous accolades. She has spoken at forums on agribusiness, investment, and trade, including the Inaugural Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo (2018) and the AFDB Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg (2019). She won the Village Capital Agriculture Accelerator in Kenya (2020) and the prestigious Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award (2022).

An avid runner, Williams has completed over 15 marathons, raising funds for charity. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Seek knowledge.”

Lessons Learned from Affiong Williams’ Journey

  1. Embrace Change and Be Open to New Paths: Williams initially planned to be a doctor but was open to exploring business, leading her to find her true passion.
  2. Turn Setbacks into Opportunities: When the grant she relied on fell through, Williams didn’t give up. Instead, she found other ways to get her business off the ground.
  3. Start Small and Build Gradually: Williams’ strategy of raising small amounts of capital to meet specific milestones allowed her to prove her business concept and gain investor trust over time.
  4. Persistence Pays Off: It took Williams nine years to secure Series A funding. Her story is a testament to the power of persistence and long-term vision.
  5. Adapt to Your Environment: By choosing dried fruits over juice, Williams adapted her business model to fit Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, ensuring sustainability from the start.
  6. Empower Others Along the Way: Williams’ commitment to training rural women and creating jobs highlights the importance of giving back and building a supportive community around your business.

Affiong Williams’ story is one of resilience, innovation, and relentless pursuit of a vision—transforming a simple idea into a thriving international brand.

How Zilingo Crumbled: A Tale of an E-commerce Giant

Zilingo, founded in 2015 by Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor, began as an ambitious e-commerce platform aiming to connect small South-East Asian businesses with a global audience. Ankiti Bose, an ex-McKinsey and ex-Sequoia employee, envisioned leveraging technology to empower local businesses to reach beyond their market stalls. Zilingo started as an online marketplace for Southeast Asian shops, offering a range of products from clothing to artwork.

Over the years, Zilingo evolved its business model to address two critical challenges faced by small businesses: expanding customer reach and improving operational efficiency. In addition to being an e-commerce platform, Zilingo ventured into B2B services, providing operational, sourcing, and financial solutions for merchants. The platform offered capital loans, insurance, stock management tools, and supply chain solutions.

The company gained substantial traction and investor interest, securing significant funding in various rounds. By 2019, Zilingo reached a valuation of $970 million and was on the verge of becoming a unicorn. The expansion involved onboarding thousands of merchants and brands and creating a vast network of suppliers and factories.

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However, the success on paper concealed the underlying challenges that ultimately led to Zilingo’s downfall:

  1. E-commerce Cash-Burn: Zilingo’s core, despite the B2B aspirations, remained rooted in B2C e-commerce. The company adopted aggressive cash-burn strategies, discounts, and heavy marketing spending to compete with e-commerce giants like Lazada and Shopee. The e-commerce wing became a financial sinkhole with low margins, draining resources from the B2B side.
  2. Buggy Tech and Operational Inefficiency: Zilingo lacked internal software to efficiently manage its diverse e-commerce marketplace and B2B solutions. The absence of adequate technology resulted in operational inefficiencies, with manual processes and a lack of essential features for client onboarding during the early years.
  3. US Expansion and Pandemic Impact: Zilingo’s move to expand into the US market in 2019 faced setbacks, and the subsequent global lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted the company’s growth plans.
  4. Scandal and Leadership Crisis: In 2022, Zilingo faced a severe blow when accusations of financial irregularities led to the suspension of CEO Ankiti Bose. Ankiti, in turn, accused the company of sexual harassment. The leadership crisis, coupled with the departure of key figures, intensified Zilingo’s challenges.

The cumulative effect of these factors plunged Zilingo into a dire financial situation, with losses surpassing revenue. In a surprising turn of events, the board suspended Ankiti Bose, and the investors pushed for the liquidation of Zilingo’s assets. Ankiti and Dhruv, despite the tumultuous situation, expressed faith in Zilingo’s B2B vertical and offered to buy the company at half its previous valuation.

Ultimately, Zilingo’s journey serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of e-commerce cash-burn, the importance of robust technology, the impact of external crises, and the significance of leadership in navigating challenges.

Despite having a promising B2B vertical, Zilingo’s financial troubles and leadership crisis led to its untimely demise in 2022

QuizUp Story: From Million-Dollar Funding to Shutdown

QuizUp, a mobile trivia app, was developed by Plain Vanilla Games and later acquired by Glu Mobile. Founded by Thor Fridriksson in 2013, the app allowed users to compete in timed multiplayer, multiple-choice trivia matches. With over 1200 topics, players could challenge friends or random opponents.

Gameplay and Rise:

Users signed in via social media accounts and answered questions for scores. Each match consisted of seven rounds, including a bonus round, scoring points based on accuracy and time. QuizUp quickly gained popularity, launching on iOS in 2013 and Android in 2014. Within weeks, it amassed millions of users, securing venture capital investments and reaching 20 million users by May 2014.

Business Model and Growth Hacks:

Rather than active advertising, QuizUp adopted native advertising. Partnerships with companies led to questions related to their offerings. For example, Google collaborated on geography-related questions to promote Google Maps. The app’s growth hacks included socializing the application, encouraging users to share achievements on social media, and allowing volunteers to submit questions, fostering user engagement.

Worth Reading: Rise and Fall of Myspace: A Pioneering Social Media Platform

Challenges and Monetization Struggles:

Monetization was a persistent challenge. While QuizUp focused on word-of-mouth publicity, the absence of active advertising, premium memberships, or in-game purchases impacted revenue generation. The inability to monetize led to difficulties in maintaining the game’s user experience.

Downfall and Acquisition:

After NBC canceled the planned television game show in 2016, Plain Vanilla Games sought buyers for QuizUp. Glu Mobile acquired Plain Vanilla Games in 2016 for $7.5M. Despite various attempts to make the game profitable, maintaining a user base of 80 million proved unprofitable. In January 2021, QuizUp was removed from app stores, and its servers were shut down on March 24, 2021.

Lessons Learned:

  1. Monetization is Crucial: QuizUp’s failure emphasizes the importance of finding viable revenue streams to sustain user experience. Relying solely on word-of-mouth without effective monetization can lead to downfall.
  2. Balancing Growth and Revenue: Growth without a parallel focus on revenue can be unsustainable. Burning through venture capital funds to scale must be accompanied by efforts to establish profitable models.
  3. Adaptation is Key: QuizUp’s reluctance to adopt active advertising limited revenue opportunities. Startups should remain adaptable and explore various monetization strategies.
  4. Customer Acquisition vs. Retention: While QuizUp excelled in customer acquisition, maintaining profitability with a large user base proved challenging. Balancing acquisition and retention strategies is essential for sustained success.
  5. Experimentation and Innovation: QuizUp struggled to innovate ways to monetize its product effectively. Experimentation with different revenue models is crucial for startups to find what works best for their audience.
  6. Initial Revenue Generation: Closing the first sale and establishing initial revenue sources can be vital for startups. It provides a foundation for sustained growth and operations.

The QuizUp story serves as a reminder for startups to prioritize sustainable monetization, adapt to changing circumstances, and strike a balance between user growth and financial viability.

From Zero to $4B: The BrowserStack Journey

Many founders envision raising VC money as their first step, but not Ritesh and Nakul. They built BrowserStack to a $50 million revenue powerhouse before seeking funding.

Their journey started at IIT-Bombay, driven by a shared passion for technology. Despite early setbacks with two failed startups, they remained undeterred, learning crucial lessons:

  1. Customer-Driven Startups: Prioritize being customer-driven over idea-driven.
  2. Solve Real Problems: Focus on solving real problems rather than chasing tech trends.

Shifting gears, they launched a consultancy to sustain their entrepreneurial dream. A pivotal moment arrived when frustrated with testing a website, they conceived BrowserStack.

Validating their idea before diving in, they released a free version that quickly gained traction. Within a year, they hit $1 million in revenue with 1,000 paying customers. Their mantra: work fast, fail fast, iterate.

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In 2018, with $50 million in revenue, they sought VC funding. Today, BrowserStack boasts $204 million in revenue and a $4 billion valuation.

Key takeaways from their journey:

  1. Keep Shipping: Perfect is the enemy of good.
  2. Tech for Problem Solving: Use technology to solve business problems, not the other way around.

Ritesh and Nakul’s story is a testament to resilience and problem-solving. It underscores that success is defined not by failures but by the lessons learned and the ability to bounce back. It’s about solving problems, not chasing trends, proving that how you finish the race matters more than how you start it.

Transtura’s Journey: Learning and Growing from Failure

Hey founders! Today, let’s chat about Transtura, a ride-hailing startup that had its ups, downs, and lots of lessons for all of us.

Vincent Adeoba, who went from PwC Nigeria to leading Transtura, dreamed of fixing transportation in Lagos. Exciting, right? But, reality hit hard.

Transtura faced unexpected challenges with rules from NURTW, LASTMA, and the Lagos State Ministry. Dealing with them was tougher than expected. The real shocker? NURTW took a big chunk of the money ( over 20% of our daily revenue ), causing constant problems like bus impoundments and attacks on drivers.

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Vincent rightly points out that for Nigeria to prosper, leaders need to support young people trying to make a difference.

Nigerian leaders need to understand that Nigeria cannot become a prosperous country by making it impossible for young people who want to contribute to succeed.

Transtura faced tough times, but the story isn’t about blame. It’s about embracing failure and learning from it. Vincent admits, “Those who said we’d fail were right, but I’m glad we gave it a shot.”

Those who said we’d fail were right, but I’m glad we gave it a shot.

After Transtura, Vincent bounced back. He applied for roles in the U.S. and landed a spot at PwC New York.

In this new year, remember Transtura’s journey. Learn from failures, turn them into stepping stones, and keep growing. Failure isn’t the end; it’s just one chapter in every founder’s story.

From Intuition to Innovation: How Oghoghozino is Building Aggital Works for the Digital Age.

Tell us a bit about you

My name is Oghoghozino Otefia, I’m the founder of Aggital Works, a leading digital agency based in Lagos, Nigeria.

What motivated you to get started with Aggital Works?

 Oh well, starting Aggital was a clear leading from God, as it all started with an intuition which was basically the need to transform businesses, organizations, and humanity in general to thrive in the digital age. As we know, the digital age is coming and businesses, organizations, or even individuals who do not stay abreast with the move of the digital age will eventually become redundant.

I remember sometime in 2008, I had an Oceanic bank account now Eco bank, and whilst I go there to make a deposit or withdrawal, I see about 15 “teller guys” who take the withdrawal/deposit slip to process them. But now, on average, we have 5 “teller guys” in our banks. What exactly happened? The digital age did happen, and software replaced 5 persons. The digital age has come and anyone; businesses, organizations, and individuals who do not embrace the digital age either gets replaced or becomes redundant.

Hence the need to help humanity thrive in the digital age. Now, what motivated me to get started after this intuition came was the bigger picture, I saw which also forms part of my call in life.

Oghoghozino Otefia

What specific problem are you solving with your startup and how are you solving it?

Aggital Works is solving problems related to digital presence, marketing, technology adaptation, branding, and business growth. All our products and services are designed to help businesses thrive and gain a competitive advantage in the digital age.

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Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Honestly, the rich quality of our delivery. We never compromise on our standard of delivery, regardless of the kind of project. These have made our clients return thereby enabling great referrals.

Describe what makes your business unique.

Our uniqueness is attributed to our core values which are; Creative Innovation, Intelligent Design, and Timely Project Delivery. Every single project must answer to our core. Have we creatively innovated this client’s idea? Is the project design intelligent enough to compete globally? Is the delivery timely? We make sure all our projects fulfill these cores and that’s what has made us unique.

Oghoghozino Otefia

How did you fund your startup?
I say all the time that money is fuel. Funding can bootstrap your business a great deal. While starting Aggital, I clearly followed God’s leading and He made provisions when due. I applied for a CBN YEDP loan, which I was approved for 7 million Naira, but I eventually didn’t take the loan after the whole loan process because God told me He never instructed me to take the loan, so basically it has been savings and God’s provision that funds the business.


What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources for you?

For books, nah, I don’t read books like everyone else does. What I do is research thoroughly. When I discover I need enlightenment in a particular area, be it personal growth, business, or leadership, I research the subject or topic thoroughly and read various resources by great industry masters or key players in that subject. I have not read a book completely ever.

But I probably have read the concept or idea talked about in that book during my research.

What were the biggest challenges you faced and the obstacles you overcame?

Biggest challenge? I cannot think of one, as every single day, challenges come and my duty is to overcome those challenges, I practically see challenges as a growth path, so I have built ferocity and grit for challenges, so I’m halfway solving a challenge before I realize that was actually a challenge.

What is your greatest business achievement to date?

One I’d like to share is the acquisition of our own office space which has taken out the rent challenge for now, till we look to expand. More so, the fact that I can travel and the business will operate optimally is a great achievement as well.

Where would you like your startup to be in five years?

In the next 5 years, one of our goals is to have a physical presence in the western part of the world. Also, to have served a minimum of 100,000 businesses with our new digital product “Ushoppen – A digital storefront that equips you with the necessary tools to flawlessly grow and manage your business. Simplifying store creation, management, and expansion. With Ushoppen, you have the luxury of selling your products not only online but offline as well.

Hence, bridging the gap between the digital and physical retail worlds”

What software or technology has made the biggest difference to your business?

I’d say Microsoft and Google, as these giants have played and constantly play significant roles in our business.

What one thing do you wish someone had told you when you started on your business journey?

Very tricky question, but if I were told the “business world” isn’t a family affair, no friends, no family, no one has your interest at heart, all are competing to become industry leaders and are ready to kill some other businesses to achieve that goal, I’d probably have taken more grounds and moved way farther than where we currently at.

If you had the chance to do things differently, what would you do?

Get funding at every level, and hire the best of the best from inception as opposed to hiring friends and family due to poor financing.


Have you had any failed business?

Yes, a number of businesses have failed; Gospofy, Uwoeki, Instahandler, etc. These are some of my businesses that barely survived a year.

What are some sources for learning you would recommend for entrepreneurs who are just starting?

A great source of learning is finding a mentor in your industry who has walked the path you’re trying to thread. I tell you, in business, it is better to learn from other people’s experience than to learn from your own experience. It saves you time and money.


Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

Very candid advice from me to you:
One, serve in the same industry you look to have your business first before you launch out as that will help you understand the nitty-gritty of that industry as well as learn the possible ways to mitigate any supposed risks you might face.

Two, money is fuel, yeah, it’s what it is, get money as much as you can, you will need it.

Three; Never forget a quote from Oghoghozino Otefia – Work is not a curse; work has been instituted before the fall of man. God didn’t curse us to work because our first parent sinned against Him, No. Work has been done even before the fall.

Therefore, I beseech you, to please make “work” a lifestyle. When you have to get something done, get it done! You need to understand a concept or an idea or whatever and do the work required to understand that concept or idea. Never forget that Work is not a curse, work has been instituted before the fall of man.

One business app and one personal app you can’t do without?

Google!!!!


Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?

Not at the moment. When we have openings, we share on our social media pages which is @aggital on all social media platforms, while I’m @oghoghozino_ on  Instagram.

From Coding Enthusiast to Digital Marketing Dynamo: Damola Oyekunle’s Inspiring Journey

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am Damola Oyekunle, a digital marketing consultant and the Founder of Dptrax, a Digital Marketing agency.

Fantastic. What motivated you to go into digital marketing?

It’s an interesting story. I studied computer engineering because I love computers and games, and I ended up falling in love with coding. I started learning how to build applications, websites, and the like. After building my first website, I realized that was just the first part of the equation. The second part was learning how to promote this newly acquired skill. In my research, I found that there are various ways to acquire clients. I opted for inbound marketing, which includes social media marketing, search engine optimization, and the like.

I started with SEO and grew curious about other marketing avenues. I learned about conversion rate optimization, paid ads, etc., and just kept going. My first job was search engine optimization-related, and my next role was at Jobberman, where I was also involved in search engine optimization before being promoted to Head of Digital Marketing. That’s how I landed in digital marketing.

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This is absolutely incredible.

Yes 😄. Not everyone can excel in tech, and not everyone can excel in digital marketing. Pick something, focus on it, and give it your best. If it doesn’t work, choose something else.

What challenges did you face while learning new skills, and how did you navigate them?

To be honest, I personally did not face any challenges when it came to learning, largely due to my mindset. I approach things from a logical perspective.

I started this journey in university. The closest thing to a challenge was limited internet access, as I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. In school at Unilag, there was a place called the Botanical Garden where they sold internet access very cheaply. Most people didn’t use up their time, so my friends and I would collect unused time from the ground and use it. This was fueled by a hunger for knowledge (and we also needed the data to download games 😄).

Another challenge was optimizing my learning process while balancing school commitments, especially since digital marketing is a broad field. I took a course called “Learning How to Learn” on Coursera, which helped me understand how to learn more effectively. I invested every spare change I had in courses and tools, often borrowing money from my sister to pay for them.

In terms of entrepreneurship, hiring and managing burnout or mental strain are challenges. Building systems and processes can help with hiring, while a strong social circle can help manage the emotional toll.

This is incredible. Do you have any advice for aspiring or existing entrepreneurs?

The first important thing is to have money in your bank account 😄. Financial stress can lead to poor decision-making. Keep a 9-5 job and start small. Prepare for failures and understand that marketing is crucial for your business.

I usually recommend having at least six months’ salary in your bank account before quitting your job to focus on entrepreneurship. While there are outliers who can succeed quickly, it’s generally a good idea to have a safety net.

This is absolutely incredible. Thank you for sharing your story with Founder Story

How Cory Is Making $3.5 Million Per Year With Woodies Sunglasses With One Employee

Cory Stout, the founder of Woodies, shared an insightful journey of starting and growing his wood sunglasses brand. Here’s a breakdown of his story and key takeaways:

Background and Idea Generation: Cory’s entrepreneurial journey started with scalping football tickets while studying Economics at the University of Florida. He learned important lessons about dealing with people and persistence during this time.

He then had the opportunity to visit China, where he observed how products were made and got the idea for an interchangeable watch brand called TIKKR.

Prototyping and Manufacturing: Cory found suppliers on Alibaba in China for his wood sunglasses. He emphasized the importance of choosing suppliers based on trust and their overall presentation, not just price. He also recommended checking the condition of the factory’s facilities as an indicator of their professionalism.

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Launching the Business: Cory initially launched his wood sunglasses on Groupon and later transitioned to selling on Amazon. He adapted his product by switching to wood temple glasses with a plastic frame to reduce returns. This decision also allowed his customer service to provide better support.

Marketing and Growth: Cory focused on Amazon as his primary sales platform and emphasized its effectiveness in bringing in new customers. He mentioned that while he had basic knowledge of various marketing methods like Facebook ads, email marketing, and SEO, Amazon’s built-in customer base was highly valuable.

Challenges and Future Plans: Cory revealed that despite the impressive revenue figures, the profit margins in his business were lower than expected. He mentioned getting sued by Luxottica for trademark infringement, which posed a significant threat to his business.

He also started a new venture involving classic cars. Cory emphasized the importance of believing in oneself and staying committed to the business, as many of his peers who started businesses around the same time also succeeded.

Tools and Resources: Cory shared a Reddit post detailing the tools and platforms he used in his business. He mentioned listening to the EcomCrew podcast for valuable insights into running an Amazon-based business.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Cory’s key advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to choose a product or business that they are passionate about and willing to talk about nonstop. He emphasized the importance of personal branding and being the face of your company, especially in the early stages.

Cory Stout’s journey with Woodies demonstrates the importance of persistence, adaptability, and focusing on platforms that work best for your business. It also underscores the significance of believing in your vision and being prepared to overcome challenges along the way.

How Colin Started A Bed Sheet Business Making $600K In The First 8 Months

Meet Colin McIntosh, the brains behind Sheets & Giggles, a bedding brand that’s more than just a clever pun. Launched in May 2018, Sheets & Giggles made a splash on Indiegogo with its unique product: lyocell bed sheets made from eucalyptus trees. These eco-friendly sheets offer a softer, more breathable, and moisture-wicking alternative to cotton, while also using significantly less water in production.

Within just six months of its inception, Sheets & Giggles raked in over 6,000 orders and nearly half a million dollars in revenue. The brand’s journey was marked by success, including winning first place at Denver Startup Week 2018. Targeting a predominantly female audience, mostly in their 20s and 30s, Sheets & Giggles has become a notable contender in the bedding industry.

Origins and Vision:

Colin’s entrepreneurial journey began after a stint at a tech startup that ended abruptly in 2017. This experience served as a catalyst, inspiring him to start his own venture. Armed with a strong network, insights from Techstars, and a passion for marketing and distributing physical products, he decided to embark on the entrepreneurial path. Crowdfunding seemed like the perfect launchpad, given his limited initial capital.

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Colin established specific criteria for his new business, including a focus on a large, fragmented market with minimal brand loyalty. He ultimately chose to venture into bedding, with the domain name “SheetsGiggles.com” sealing the deal. The business model was designed first, with the product tailored to fit seamlessly.

Validating the Idea:

To validate the concept, Colin ran Facebook ads to a landing page, targeting crowdfunding lookalike audiences. This campaign resulted in an impressive 46% conversion rate, accumulating over 11,000 emails from potential buyers in just eight weeks. With this validation in hand, Sheets & Giggles launched on Indiegogo, attracting nearly 500 customers and $45,000 in day-one funding.

Designing, Prototyping, and Manufacturing:

Despite lacking textile experience, Colin hired consultants to help design, develop, and test the lyocell sheets. The criteria included sustainability, softness, durability, and social consciousness. The manufacturer was sourced in India, and multiple production runs were undertaken to ensure product perfection. The brand also placed great emphasis on a premium unboxing experience, making it stand out in the direct-to-consumer market.

The Launch Process:

The business was founded in October 2017, with the first few months dedicated to building a brand identity, website, and product designs. A marketing agency was onboarded to assist with the crowdfunding campaign, which was successfully launched on May 1, 2018, with a surge of $45,000 in funding on the first day.

Customer Attraction and Retention:

Sheets & Giggles’ success has been fueled by proactive social media engagement, strong SEO strategies, and humorous email marketing. Purple Friday, a clever marketing ploy, drove significant sales. Exceptional customer service, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a robust review system have also contributed to the brand’s growth.

Current Status and Future Prospects:

Sheets & Giggles operates profitably, with a projected $600,000 in revenue for 2018. The brand aims to expand its product line, including new sizes, colors, and non-bedding items. International expansion into the UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU is on the horizon.

Colin envisions rapid growth in the coming years, with plans to enter new sales channels while maintaining a strong online presence. He remains committed to building a well-known brand before delving into physical retail, following a strategic approach to market penetration.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

Colin emphasizes the importance of validating your business model before building a product. He advocates running initial marketing campaigns to gather leads and investor interest, rather than rushing into product development. He also stresses the significance of an action-oriented approach and the value of responding to customer inquiries promptly.

In conclusion, Colin McIntosh’s journey with Sheets & Giggles exemplifies the power of creativity, sustainable practices, and humor in building a thriving brand. With a strong focus on customer engagement and a strategic approach to growth, Sheets & Giggles continues to make waves in the world of bedding.

Bootstrapping to 2m+ Users With Zero Employees – The story of Rootd

In a world perpetually on the move, where stress lurks around every corner, Ania Wysocka‘s story began with a panic attack that shattered the illusion of invincibility. As a final-year university student, she had believed that anxiety and panic were battles fought by others in quieter corners of existence. But that illusion was violently dismantled by her own panic attack – a jolt of terror that left her shaken and disoriented. It was at that moment, far from home and unable to afford professional help, that Ania’s world shifted irrevocably.

As she fumbled through the darkness of her experience, her instinct was to reach for her smartphone – the modern beacon of solutions – to find an app that could guide her through the storm within. But to her surprise, there was none. The void of digital support deepened her feelings of isolation, making her realize the chasm between the prevalence of mental health struggles and the dearth of accessible resources.

Undeterred by her own ordeal, Ania embarked on a journey that would eventually lead her to craft a transformative solution for millions. Rootd, the app she envisioned, was to become a lifeline for those facing the overwhelming grip of anxiety and panic attacks.

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From Darkness to Design: Ania’s journey wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about combining her creative talents with the power of technology to deliver hope. She immersed herself in the world of graphic design, pouring her emotions onto paper and translating them into illustrations that would eventually become Rootd’s beloved mascot, Ron. Ron, the embodiment of empathy, would accompany users on their quest for healing, providing solace during their darkest moments.

Challenges: The Crucible of Transformation: Building Rootd was no smooth ride. Ania faced challenges that tested her resolve, questioned her decisions, and often left her questioning her path. Yet, she turned each challenge into a stepping stone, unearthing her indomitable spirit. With minimal resources and a bootstrapped approach, she navigated the complexities of app development and user engagement, making every penny and hour count.

Lessons Forged in Struggle: Ania’s journey was marked by lessons as vivid as the illustrations in her app. The power of solving personal pain points reverberated in every feature of Rootd. The courage to embrace her strengths and leverage her artistic acumen proved that passion could be translated into technology. Her knack for turning every challenge into an opportunity taught her that resilience and determination could overcome the most formidable obstacles.

A Beacon of Light for 2 Million: Rootd’s launch marked the beginning of a movement, an affirmation that Ania’s journey mirrored the struggles of millions worldwide. Rootd became more than an app; it became a sanctuary, a safe space for those wrestling with their inner demons. Ania’s relentless commitment to the Rootd community, her hands-on approach to user reviews, and her unyielding dedication created a network of warriors united against anxiety’s grip.

A Vision for Tomorrow: As Rootd continues to reach more corners of the globe, Ania’s vision grows even grander. With a future focused on inclusivity, accessibility, and global impact, she aims to reach the hands and hearts of 10 million users. Ania’s journey has evolved from a personal struggle into an inspiring saga of empathy, triumph, and healing – a journey that has illuminated the path for countless others seeking solace.

Ania’s story is a testament to the power of one individual’s resilience, compassion, and innovation. Rootd isn’t just an app; it’s a beacon of hope, a reminder that from the depths of personal pain can emerge the seeds of transformative change. Ania Wysocka’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those whose lives she touched, and in the annals of entrepreneurship, as a visionary who turned her own pain into a lifeline for millions.

She Ditched Law School And Built A Multimillion Dollar SaaS Business

Once embarrassed by her unconventional name, Jasmine Star‘s journey has blossomed into a remarkable tale of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment. Born to a free-spirited mother, she embraced her name’s uniqueness, embodying the same spirit in her ventures. As the CEO and co-founder of Social Curator, Jasmine thrives as a speaker, podcaster, and visionary leader.

Her story unfolds against the backdrop of a diverse heritage, as the daughter of Mexican and Puerto Rican immigrants who fell in love on the streets of East Los Angeles. Jasmine’s path led her from homeschooling to an academic scholarship at Whittier College and UCLA Law School. Yet, her life took a transformative turn when her mother’s brain cancer relapsed during Jasmine’s first year of law school, triggering her own battle with depression.

Amidst personal challenges, Jasmine’s determination ignited a chain of transformative decisions. Fueled by her mother’s regrets and inspired by love, she left law school, pursued photography, and launched a successful career. Her journey was not linear—she shifted from photography to teaching, consulting, and creating content, all while navigating uncharted territories with resilience.

Social Curator‘s genesis emerged as a membership platform, offering resources, courses, and a vibrant community for overwhelmed entrepreneurs. Jasmine’s willingness to ask “dumb questions” led her to delve into tech, co-founding the company with her husband JD. The platform’s evolution culminated in its transition to a SaaS subscription, seamlessly integrating with social platforms and aiding business owners in navigating the complex world of digital marketing.

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Central to Social Curator’s growth strategy is the power of content. It’s not just about tools but about education and community. Jasmine’s philosophy is clear: provide resources, tutorials, and a safe space for entrepreneurs to discuss trends, algorithms, and successes.

Through a blend of tutorials, daily challenges, and user-friendly scheduling tools, Social Curator empowers users to take action.

While Jasmine’s journey has seen ups and downs, she remains committed to growth. Her recent upgrade of the Social Curator platform reflects her dedication to product excellence and user feedback. Despite challenges, Jasmine’s focus on content, consistency, and learning has driven her success. She shares her wisdom through podcasts, interviews, and social media, underlining the importance of consistency and personal branding in entrepreneurship.

As Jasmine’s story continues to unfold, she not only uplifts her business but also inspires a community of entrepreneurs to embrace their passions, confront challenges, and create their own unique paths to success.

Bad Water Made His Family Sick, So He Built A $3m+ Business To Fix It

Meet Seyi Fabode, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Varuna, a groundbreaking company transforming the water management industry. Varuna is like a watchful guardian for utilities, cities, and water-dependent businesses, preventing water system failures by tracking risks such as contamination, asset failure, and water availability.

Seyi’s journey began after running operations for a major power station in London, giving him unique insights into complex utility systems. Inspired by the potential of entrepreneurship, he co-founded Power2Switch, a successful venture in the renewable energy space. However, it was the water crises across the US, notably the Flint, Michigan incident, that ignited Seyi’s passion for water system resilience.

Varuna’s origin story involves a DIY approach, developing a simple yet ingenious water quality sensor that mimicked a dishwasher’s turbidity sensor. This concept evolved into a sophisticated tool that tracked water quality, providing real-time alerts and actionable recommendations for operators. Seyi’s determination led him to rugged terrain and far-flung locations, laying the foundation for Varuna’s success.

The business model’s core strength lies in its profound understanding of the industry’s challenges. The water management sector boasts extensive sales cycles, demanding patience and strategic foresight. However, with over 150,000 water systems in the US and substantial contracts, Varuna leverages high-margin software solutions that sit atop data-generating assets. A masterstroke is a partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), opening doors to lucrative after-market services.

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Seyi’s leadership philosophy revolves around human connection and adaptability. He champions the notion of being “human” in business interactions, fostering meaningful relationships rather than mere transactions. This approach, along with maintaining an open aperture for ideas, keeps Varuna innovative and responsive. Seyi’s hiring criteria—expertise, execution, and alignment with values—ensure the right individuals drive the company’s growth.

Varuna’s future is promising, with expansion into consumer services. Their “Resilio” offering brings water issue monitoring to households, offering emergency water delivery subscriptions during crises. Seyi’s vision extends beyond profits, seeking a net-zero solution for water purification and eliminating single-use plastics.

Seyi’s insights are invaluable, shaped by books like “Thinking in Systems” by Donella Meadows and “7 Powers” by Hamilton Helmer. His personal leadership touchstone—”How human are you choosing to be in this moment?”—guides Varuna’s journey, fostering a culture of compassion and innovation.

For a deeper dive, visit Varuna’s website, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Connect with Seyi on his personal LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Holdco also offers a glimpse into his multifaceted journey.

The tale of Seyi Fabode and Varuna is one of innovation, resilience, and commitment to securing the world’s most precious resource: water.

How We Are Making Over $4 Million Per Year From College Essay Coaching – Brad Schiller

Brad Schiller, the Founder and CEO of Prompt, has spearheaded a remarkable journey in the education sector. Prompt, the largest college admissions essay coaching company globally, offers a sophisticated software platform that simplifies the college application process for over 15,000 students.

Additionally, Prompt’s network of around 100 part-time writing coaches assists over 5,000 students with over 30,000 hours of writing coaching. The company’s revenue is projected to hit $4 million in 2023, showcasing an impressive 20-60% growth rate over the past seven years.

Interestingly, about two-thirds of Prompt’s revenue comes from selling to businesses. The company white-labels its software platform and essay coaching for over 500 private college counselors and high schools worldwide. The remaining third of the revenue is generated by directly serving families under the Prompt brand.

In a recent expansion, Prompt launched “Pen,” a literacy curriculum that empowers English learners across India and Latin America to confidently use English in academic and workplace settings, aiming to surpass 20,000 learners by the end of 2023.

Schiller’s journey began with a personal passion for enhancing written communication and critical thinking skills. Having recognized the need for effective communication during his tenure at McKinsey, Schiller’s mission evolved into enabling widespread proficiency in structured and impactful communication.

Prompt’s path to success was characterized by iterative development. Starting as a marketplace for obtaining feedback on writing content and structure, the company eventually focused on college admissions essays, where initial customer traction was found. This niche specialization paved the way for Prompt’s growth, and the company released a software and coaching services product tailored for private college counselors in 2017, generating $200,000 in annual recurring revenue.

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The journey, however, wasn’t without challenges. Schiller’s persistent drive to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills led to various product diversifications. While some ventures incurred significant investment and time, Prompt’s recent literacy curriculum, “Pen,” seems to have struck the right chord.

Schiller’s grit is evident in his personal journey as well. Despite starting Prompt in 2014 with minimal resources and while facing financial challenges, Schiller’s dedication led to steady growth. With four children and his wife pursuing a PhD, Schiller even resorted to independent consulting to support his family while building Prompt.

An “oh shit” moment in 2021 posed an existential threat to Prompt. Operational inefficiencies caused delays in essay reviews, jeopardizing the upcoming college admissions season. Schiller took decisive action, revamping operations and streamlining costs, saving the business from a dire situation.

Key to Prompt’s success is exceptional operational efficiency and a keen focus on customer satisfaction. The company’s business model thrives on selling to businesses and leveraging referrals for consumer sales. The ability to understand customer needs, offer exceptional service, and automate operations has been pivotal.

Schiller’s leadership philosophy emphasizes hiring independent thinkers who excel in navigating ambiguity. His belief in minimizing managerial layers allows him to remain close to the core challenges and prioritize high-value problem-solving.

Schiller’s journey with Prompt is an inspiring tale of perseverance, iterative development, and a relentless commitment to enhancing literacy and communication skills on a global scale. Through Prompt and its ventures like “Pen,” Schiller is making a profound impact on education and communication.

Bingtellar Launches Revolutionary Instant Crypto-to-Fiat Conversion Service

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Lagos, Nigeria – August 21, 2023 – Nigerian blockchain payments startup, Bingtellar, proudly announces the debut of its groundbreaking instant crypto-to-fiat conversion service. This cutting-edge solution empowers individuals and businesses to seamlessly engage in cryptocurrency transactions, effortlessly buying and selling digital assets while receiving payments in their local currencies.

Since its inception in 2021, Bingtellar has pioneered real-time crypto-to-fiat conversions, ensuring users have access to immediate liquidity in their preferred local currency. Leveraging a robust payment infrastructure, Bingtellar has bridged the gap between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, transforming complex transactions into streamlined processes that can be completed in less than three minutes.

Founder and visionary behind Bingtellar, Joshua Tebepina, explains the driving force behind this innovation: “With the increasing prominence of cryptocurrencies, the demand for flexible transactions like paying for goods and services or funding bank accounts from crypto wallets has surged. Our goal was to eliminate the time-consuming delays associated with such transactions. Conventional payment systems often take 24-72 hours to remit funds from a crypto wallet to a fiat account, which can be quite inconvenient for instant transfers.”

A significant factor contributing to this inefficiency is the involvement of third-party intermediaries. Some platforms necessitate users to first convert their cryptocurrency to fiat in a designated wallet on the cryptocurrency platform before transferring funds to a bank account.

Tebepina adds, “Bingtellar addresses these challenges by offering a seamless platform that enables transactions within three minutes without third-party involvement. We recognized the need for a hassle-free, rapid solution, and we’re proud to deliver on that promise.”

Driven by user demand and guided by a vision of innovation, Bingtellar has already successfully processed over US$300,000 in transactions, signaling a promising trajectory for growth. The startup is actively raising a pre-seed round to further enhance its capabilities and expand its reach.

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Tebepina reflects on Bingtellar’s journey, “Our growth has exceeded expectations, and the feedback from users has been nothing short of remarkable. What started as a personal endeavor to address challenges faced by friends using P2P exchanges has now evolved into a game-changing solution. We are excited to witness the impact we’re making.”

Currently accessible exclusively in Nigeria, Bingtellar has ambitious plans for expansion across other African countries in the near future. Tebepina shares, “We’re actively testing our beta payment payouts in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Our unwavering commitment to top-tier user experience and customer service is driving our meticulous approach to expansion.”

For more information about Bingtellar and its revolutionary crypto-to-fiat conversion service, please visit www.bingtellar.com.

Joseph Mambwe: The Entrepreneur Who Built a $2.5 Million Fitness App All with Zero Employees

GymStreak

Joseph Mambwe is the sole founder of GymStreak, a fitness app that uses high-end animation and augmented reality to enhance exercise understanding and track user progress. Born in Zambia, raised in Botswana, and later moving to the UK, Joseph’s diverse experiences and passion for learning from a young age contributed to his unique perspective and determination as an entrepreneur.

While studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Joseph’s passion for fitness and UI design led him to envision the GymStreak app. He identified the importance of consistency in fitness journeys and aimed to create a user-friendly platform that encouraged sustained commitment.

Building GymStreak required implementing a 3D engine to animate exercises, which demanded significant effort. Despite the challenges, Joseph’s determination to be future-ready with augmented reality technology and 3D animation showcased his foresight and commitment to innovation.

Despite having no employees, Joseph achieved remarkable success, generating $2.5 million in revenue last year. He relied on a team of skilled freelancers for marketing and customer support, allowing him to maintain control over the company’s growth. The app’s bootstrapped nature grants Joseph the flexibility to control the pace of growth, allowing him to balance business expansion with personal life goals.

GymStreak’s growth primarily stems from highly effective paid marketing campaigns on Facebook and TikTok, boasting an impressive return on ad spend. The app’s unique features and compelling creative content contributed to its success. Although faced with challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and plateaued growth, Joseph’s determination and ability to adapt drove continuous improvement and eventual success.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and gyms closed worldwide, GymStreak faced a significant challenge. However, Joseph quickly adapted the app to include home workout options, demonstrating his agility and ability to respond to changing circumstances.

Despite impressive growth, Joseph recognized the importance of product optimization to enhance user experience. He spent six months rebuilding the app to improve key conversion points and increase revenue tenfold.

Joseph’s leadership style prioritizes empowering his team of contractors with autonomy. By allowing them to make independent decisions, he fosters a culture of trust, creativity, and individual ownership within the company.

The strength of GymStreak’s business model lies in its ability to recoup ad spend almost immediately, enabling rapid and profitable scaling. However, like many consumer SaaS products, GymStreak encounters retention challenges, emphasizing the importance of enhancing customer retention and renewals.

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Looking to the future, Joseph foresees untapped potential in the market, particularly through an affiliate system for mobile apps that facilitates partnerships and revenue-sharing, potentially bolstering user acquisition and retention strategies. With a focus on maximizing customer retention and renewals, Joseph aims to grow GymStreak to an impressive $15-$20 million in annual recurring revenue in the coming years.

Joseph Mambwe’s entrepreneurial journey with GymStreak exemplifies the power of dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness in building a successful app business with a strong emphasis on user experience and growth.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Joseph’s story:

  • Joseph Mambwe is a visionary entrepreneur who saw the potential of using high-end animation and augmented reality to create a more engaging and effective fitness app.
  • GymStreak’s success is due in part to Joseph’s determination and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • The app’s bootstrapped nature has allowed Joseph to maintain control over the company’s growth and focus on user experience.
  • Joseph is focused on future growth and is looking to expand into new markets.

What do you think about Joseph’s Story? Share your thought in the comment below.

The start of LadiesInFlutter by Grace Youpele

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Grace Youpele, I’m a mobile developer and I’ve been in tech for the past three years. I started with a couple of things but I landed in mobile development and I decided to stick with it. I am also a community lead, public speaker, technical writer, and the founder of the LadiesInFlutter community.

This is awesome. When we were going through your page we realized that you have a community about women learning Flutter. What is it about?

It’s a community of women that are interested in mobile development. Our aim is to help the ladies grow and become more confident in their tech craft. We usually do have classes every Friday to boost their knowledge of mobile development and also we have monthly meet up where we get to bring ladies that are already doing well in their tech careers to come to speak to the ladies. We have also had training sessions on confidence to help build their confidence in public speaking as well as the confidence to strive in the tech space.

This is great. You guys are doing awesomely well. The question now is Why women?

I’ll try not to be biased here but you’ll agree with me that the male is dominated in the tech space. For every company I’ve worked in, I literarily was the only female developer with lots of guys. Lately, I’m happy to say that women are showing up and breaking through the space. When I started, I thought I was the only lady in Flutter Nigeria but I later figured out that there were few ladies out there but probably they were just too shy to come out. So I thought having our safe space to relate, know each other, and help ourselves grow would be great.

This is great. Since you started your NGO, how many women have you trained?

We started early this year and right now we have over a hundred registered in the community.

What motivated you to be a mobile developer?

I actually studied computer science in school but the educational system in Nigeria doesn’t qualify you based on what you studied. There used to be those tech guys in school I admire a lot but I was more interested in fashion, that was my dream. My dream was literary to have a shoe line. I didn’t take anything tech seriously till after school. After my NYSC I was working for this company and there was a digital marketer I was impressed by how much he loved what he was doing. I randomly asked him on what to do if I want to come into tech and he explained some things to me. I tried a couple of things like web development, and UI/UX till I got to know about mobile development and when I transitioned, it felt like home. That was how I got to where I am.

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Would you say it’s been a rollercoaster ever since you joined?

Yeah, it’s been a rollercoaster. At times I rant that I’m not doing this tech thing again. But there’s nothing without a downside. There are the good days and there are the bad days but then there’s the passion too for problem solving so it keeps me going regardless.

Awesome. Why do you choose to train people and not just make money?

I will say what inspired me was an event where I happened to be a speaker. After the whole event, I figured out that we were just two ladies that were there as a speaker. I thought about it after that and thought if we ladies don’t know what we were doing or were shy to come out and display our craft. So I randomly tweeted if the ladies would be interested in a ladies-exclusive community and the response was inspiring and that was it, LadiesInFlutter was born. It’s a safe space where we can be free to express ourselves and help each other grow and the responses so far have been impressive I must say.

What are some of the challenges you faced while running the NGO?

One thing about humans is that in as much as we love free things we sometimes don’t commit to these free things. I am a community lead of CodeClan Nigeria with over 3,000 participants and last year we had several bootcamps which I spearheaded all were successful but one thing I noticed was that a lot of people started and then fall off because there isn’t any money commitment and with so much number of people and fewer volunteers to keep track of the mentees. And currently, I’m a mentor to one bootcamp that’s ongoing, so I have mentees, luckily these mentees are few so it’s easy to have them in check and to make sure that everybody is on their feet and they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. But with large numbers in ladiesInFlutter, it’s difficult to get everyone together at the same time. So usually we have our classes on Fridays, and even with the reminder it’s still difficult to get people together at that particular time. However, the turnout is mostly good and the fact is that people are really gaining a lot from it.

How do you finance your NGO and what are the financial challenges?

In March we had a program that we needed to sort out gifts like airtime, a router for people that won a few games and I financed it and yeah there was someone that also supported us with cash. But mostly I do the financing from my pocket right now. 

Are you looking to get others to finance your NGO?

Yes, sure.

Fantastic. Aside from this, what other things do you do?

I am a full-time developer so I have a full-time job. 

That’s quite interesting. I’m sure there are a lot of women who want to move into tech as well, how can they be part of your community?

Okay, the name of my community is LadiesInFlutter and it’s basically for ladies that want to go into tech and learn mobile development. We have our Twitter handle as well as our LinkedIn page but our Twitter handle is more active because it all started from Twitter. The Twitter handle is LadiesinFlutter and there is a form that you get to fill and we mail you the community link to join.

Perfect. Do you have any advice for people that are looking to get into tech?

Some people believe tech is a get-rich-quick scheme and that’s the impression they come into tech with. But I think if you don’t have some level of resilience and patience, you will be quick to fall off the grid. There are a lot of people in the tech space doing what you intend to come in and do and even doing it better so there has to be some level of willingness to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd and to be seen. You must be ready to put in the best of your time, attention, and some extra spice to what you are doing. There’s enough room to shine so don’t be afraid to start, spread your wings and fly as high as you can dream of.

This is amazing. We want to appreciate your time and we don’t take it for granted.  We love what you are doing. Thank you very much, we appreciate it.

Beyond Borders: How Zipline is Bringing Instant Delivery to Everyone, Everywhere

Zipline was founded in 2014 with the mission of creating the first logistics system that serves all humans equally. The San Francisco-based startup designs manufactures, and operates the world’s largest instant logistics and delivery system, which is used by businesses, governments, and consumers.
The company’s innovative approach to delivery is transforming the way goods move, from powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network to providing on-demand home delivery for e-commerce. Zipline uses autonomous, electric drones to provide a teleportation service that delivers what you need when you need it.

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The technology is complex, but the idea is simple – to provide equitable access to essential goods and decarbonize delivery by transitioning to clean, electric, instant logistics.
Zipline’s drones can fly to hard-to-reach areas, quickly and efficiently delivering medical supplies, vaccines, and other essential goods to healthcare workers and patients in need. The company operates on three continents (North America, Africa, and Asia) and in seven countries – Rwanda, Ghana, the United States, Nigeria, Japan, Kenya, and Côte D’Ivoire.

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Since its inception, Zipline has made more than 540,000 deliveries to real customers and currently completes one every 90 seconds. The company has flown 40 million autonomous commercial miles and delivered almost 5 million products, including more than 8 million vaccine doses.
Zipline has two delivery platforms – a long-range system, Platform 1, and its next-generation home delivery system, Platform 2. Behind each delivery is a complex network of airspace deconfliction tools, inventory management, fulfilment software, warehousing, performance management, cold chain storage, and more. The instant logistics system is a trusted partner for businesses, governments, and consumers and currently supports the medical, health, and retail sectors, delivering blood, vaccines, COVID supplies, prescriptions, e-commerce items, products that support human and animal health, and food.

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Zipline’s innovative technology has received international recognition and numerous awards. The company has received significant funding from various investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Temasek Holdings.
Zipline’s partnerships are extensive, and the company works with Walmart, Pfizer, Toyota Tsusho, Sweetgreen, NGOs, and large health systems and national governments around the world.
Overall, Zipline’s innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of essential goods and improve access to healthcare in areas where traditional transportation methods are limited or unavailable. The company continues to grow and expand its operations to more locations around the world, helping to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need.

How Ahmsville Labs is Solving Complex Problems in the Hardware Design Industry with Innovative Products

Ahmed_Oyenuga
Who are you and what are you working on?

My name is Ahmed Oyenuga, a Hardware Engineer / Developer and I’m the founder of AhmsvilleLabs. AhmsvilleLabs is a collection of innovative projects and accessible tools geared at streamlining the hardware design and development experience.

What motivated you to get started with Ahmsville Labs?

Imagine being able to solve complex problems using technology and turning your ideas into real-world solutions that benefit people far beyond your own expectations. As a hardware engineer and product developer, this is exactly what drives me. Ahmsville Labs started as a humble endeavour to share my knowledge and expertise in building innovative hardware projects. But as I delved deeper into the world of problem-solving through technology, I discovered that the solutions I created for myself could also benefit others in unexpected ways. This realization fueled my passion for developing my ideas into useful products, and that’s how Ahmsville Labs came to be.

Ahmed_Oyenuga
What specific problem are you solving with your startup and how are you solving it?

At the core of my work lies a deep commitment to empowering professionals in the hardware design and development industry. I believe that everyone deserves access to the latest and greatest hardware tools, regardless of their level of expertise. That’s why the company is dedicated to making hardware tools accessible to more people.

In pursuit of this goal, I have developed a range of innovative products that are specifically geared toward professionals looking to improve how they create. These products can be broadly divided into two categories: new hardware/ software solutions and engineering tools, Both are tailored to meet the needs of hardware professionals who want to streamline their workflows and improve their work efficiency.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

I have found honesty to be the most valuable resource when dealing directly with consumers. My customers are primarily hardware engineers like myself, so it is important to invent tools that I am happy to use myself. My customers are often part of my online community as a maker, and listening to their improvement recommendations has also helped improve the user experience for other customers.

Ahmed_Oyenuga
Describe what makes your business/startup unique.

Ahmsville Labs is a product-driven business, and each of its products is unique in the problem it solves and in the way it solves them. You can explore these products on the website.

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How did you raise capital to fund your startup, and what advice do you have for other entrepreneurs seeking investment?

Right out of university, I started working for ipNX, an internet service provider. It was a great job that promised a successful engineering career, but it wasn’t the career I wanted for myself, so I had to walk away from it. However, the job allowed me to save enough money to buy my first 3D printer in 2018, which set me on the path I am on today. If you are a maker in Nigeria, I strongly recommend getting a 3D printer, it’s like having a superpower that helps you quickly realize your ideas.

For the first two years, I worked as a freelance hardware designer, and I used part of my earnings to expand my capacity and tool arsenal. The other part went into developing the hardware products that Ahmsville Labs is known for today. Funding endeavours in this manner requires a lot of personal sacrifices, and knowledge of how to build MVPs, a concept I habitually live by. In 2019, I created my first product and sold it directly to customers through my online store on Tindie.com. This brought in more money, which I religiously reinvested into the company. Ahmsville Labs now has nine products in the hands of hundreds of people around the world.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources for you?

Hackster Cafe is a weekly live stream that features a lot of brilliant and amazing people in the hardware community, it’s been an inspiration and a guide for me, I also got a chance to interview with the host Alex Glow last year. see the interview here.

What were the biggest challenges you faced and the obstacles you overcame?

Nigeria is not a conducive environment for tech businesses, particularly in the hardware space where accessibility to tools and parts is crucial. As hardware creates hardware, the biggest challenge I face is the lack of accessibility to the tools and parts I need to operate at the level I do. Major electronics distributors rarely ship directly to Nigeria, and when they do, the shipping charges are exorbitant. Imagine having to pay $97 to ship a chip that costs only $0.50. This is ridiculous, but it’s what I’ve had to do to get the parts I need. The ongoing challenge of power, or lack thereof, is also a significant hurdle. Nigerian readers will understand this struggle. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the hardware space.

What role did innovation play in the development of your business/startup, and how do you stay ahead of the competition?

The technology industry constantly evolves, and it’s easy to get left behind if you don’t keep up. At Ahmsville Labs, we take a different approach – we’re the ones creating the change. by focusing on identifying unexplored problems in the hardware design process and providing innovative solutions to get tasks done more efficiently. We don’t just follow the trends, we strive to set them, by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and challenging the norms we’re guaranteeing our position in the industry as it grows.

Where would you like your startup to be in five years?

Ahmsville Labs will continue to develop groundbreaking hardware while making technology more accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike. In five years, I see the company disrupting the AR/VR and robotics industries, and becoming a multimillion-dollar operation.
While I encourage dreaming big, I prefer to square my focus on what I can do now. So, what I am most looking forward to this year is launching the Pick n Place Wheel v2, a device that will revolutionize the way we assemble PCBs. Additionally, I am excited about establishing the interactive air quality map in Lagos to increase awareness about air pollution. This project recently received a seed fund of 10,000 pounds from RS Components /Designspark, a UK-based electronics distributor.

What software or technology has made the biggest difference to your business?

That would be additive manufacturing (3D printing) and PCB manufacturing.

What one thing do you wish someone had told you when you started on your business journey?

I wish someone had taught me all the creative solutions I have painfully learned and employed to keep my business going despite all the limitations imposed by the country, solutions in part sourcing, shipping, power, and time management.

Have you had any failed business?

Ahmsville Labs is my first company and I’ve weathered failed ideas and significant setbacks due to poor money management, but through it all, I’ve remained steadfast in my belief that experience will always teach you more. While some may wish for a chance to go back and make different choices, my mistakes are valuable lessons that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. And even now, as I continue to face new challenges and make mistakes, I am still looking forward to the journey and the lessons it has to offer.

What are some sources for learning you would recommend for entrepreneurs who are just starting?

Google and YouTube have been my best resources for learning so I have no reservations in recommending them to anyone looking to learn or improve a skill, there are a lot of amazing people out there who are happy to share their knowledge.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

being featured among other amazing founders is a true honor. But first and foremost, I identify myself as a hardware engineer and an all-around giant nerd. Ahmsville Labs happens to be the perfect expression of my passion for innovation, which is what drives me to create and bring new ideas to life. As an aspiring entrepreneur, my first advice would be to find that thing that drives you, that thing that you’re passionate about. It’s the one thing that you can invest your time in without any regrets. For me, it’s tinkering with hardware and coming up with new and innovative solutions. But for you, it could be something completely different. The important thing is to find that spark and chase after it with all you’ve got.

My second piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to embrace the possibility of failure and see it as a valuable learning opportunity. Be prepared to make sacrifices and put in the hard work necessary to succeed. and if you truly love what you do, you will always be able to find the motivation to overcome any obstacles that come your way. So, don’t wait for the perfect time or the perfect conditions, start now and be prepared to fail and learn from it.

Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?

I’ll take an intern someone with some technical skills looking to learn hardware design and development.

The Journey of an Innovator: How Solomon Udukhokai Is Building His Own Tech Empire

Solomon_Udukhokai
Who are you and what are you working on?

I’m an interesting person, I’m a young inspirational Nigerian that has a passion for change and impact. I’m that person who wants to inspire the next generation to be great, I want to leave the world better than I found the world.

My name is Solomon Ogege Udukhokai, I’m from Edo State Nigeria. I’m a hardware Engineer, I’m the MD/CEO at AXAO Technology. At AXAO we create basic active lifestyle solutions. The goal is to be able to create hardware that is powered by software basically. We are forward-thinking, we are innovative, and we look at creating an ecosystem of everything that we have created so that we can keep our consumers at a close loop where they constantly refer to different products for solutions.

Solomon_Udukhokai
Incredible. How did you get started with AXAO technology?

As a child, I’ve been an innovator. I built things right from childhood, I’ve built insane things as a child. I wanted to study Aeronautic Engineer at some point. But due to the way the country is, I proceeded to study computer science where I started understanding computers and how things work. I left school and I started working and went further to do business development. Interestingly AXAO started seven years ago. I love watches and I started creating watches seven years ago for Corporate Organizations. I started creating industrial designs. I learnt what it takes to design a product seven years ago. I nurtured it from that period to 2021 when we started full-time.

It looks like you had it all figured out at a young age, was there a point where you got confused as to what you want to become in the future?

I’d say I was never confused as to what I wanted to do in the future. But confusion came when I was working as a salesperson because it was frustrating but I knew that was not what I wanted to do at that time. I knew what I wanted to do; I knew I wanted to create products. You need to submit to authority and train yourself before you’re fully baked enough to start on your own. It’s usually a process where you work for some organizations and then you develop yourself to be independent.

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What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who have to work first to make ends meet and submit to the authority before pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams?

From my personal ideologies and philosophies. I’d only propagate what I believe. You might have the features of an entrepreneur but you might not understand the processes of becoming an entrepreneur. Your work will help you build connections and relationships that you can leverage. You are not going to sell your services or your products in a ghost town, you’re going to sell to your relatives and people in your close quarters. So, you really do need that relationship and the best place to create a relationship is through your workplace. You’d eventually appreciate the time you’ve spent in your 9-5 job.

It felt like pain when I was working but I realized that I have been trained to be a fine individual in terms of me putting forward documents or me putting forward research materials and all of that. Working for coming entrepreneurs is really you building yourself.

Excellent. How were you able to fund your startup? Were you bootstrapping or is there an investment somewhere that is helping?

Basically, we are bootstrapping. We did the first round of investment in 2022 and that helped us to get off the ground basically. You need people who believe in you, you need to be able to sell your story and sell yourself in a way where people that have the resources help you to get a head start. Hardware is very hard but there are people who believe in us. If you miss one thing, it means you’ve missed it by thousands. The great thing about hardware is that it comes out to become a product. That means you can sell the product and you can slowly build.

Incredible, what are the challenges you’re facing in AXAO Technology?

The first challenge is being an African and a Nigerian. There are shipping barriers; we work with a diverse set of people. Design and material specification is done in Milan and we manufacture in China. We had to communicate our vision to these people for them to understand what we are actually doing. We have an engineering team here in Nigeria and software is built locally. I have the most amazing team but it took time to communicate and for us to have the team dynamics that would help them discharge their duties expressly. No matter how tough something is just give it time. I believe in the process and I believe in growing organically. Penetrating the local market is also another challenge but we’ve been doing it. We didn’t get there overnight.

This is amazing and I wish you the best of luck. Are bigger brands a major competitor to you?

it’s interesting to understand that the market is actually big enough and it’s massive. If you don’t see them as competitors then they are not one but if you see them as an inspiration then they are an inspiration. I am creating a Niche and they are not a competition. We produce our products and you will get the same quality of what you will get from big brands. They are an inspiration and not a competition.

Great. If you are not an entrepreneur what will you be doing?

I will be an Entrepreneur with another expression. I am a salesperson and I love technology.

Fantastic. Any advice for other entrepreneurs who want to do what you’re doing?

The road with the least resistance often sends you to the poorest results. Think of hard and complex tasks. Don’t look for an easy route, study well and be the best at what you do. Dig well and you will find amazing answers. High resistance, high reward.

Revolutionizing African Enterprise with Energy Innovation: The Inspiring Story of Festus Agbonifo and Fesbec Consulting

Festus Agbonifo

Festus Agbonifo is a visionary CEO who is passionate about reshaping African enterprise through innovative energy solutions. With over a decade of experience in the energy sector, Festus has a proven track record of delivering effective solutions for businesses across the continent.

Festus Agbonifo

As the head of Director of Sales and Strategy/International Operations for Fesbec Solutions a leading energy company, Festus is focused on providing Diesel/Fuel Efficiency Management, Back-Up Power Solutions, and Renewable Energy Solutions to companies in Africa. His mission is to empower businesses with the tools they need to become more sustainable, efficient, and profitable, while also reducing their environmental impact. Currently Fesbec have a strong presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and in Uganda (Eastern Africa).

Festus believes that the key to achieving these goals is through energy innovation. He is constantly exploring new technologies and approaches to help businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive market. For example, Fesbec has developed a unique diesel/fuel efficiency management system that helps companies reduce their fuel consumption and lower their operating costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint.

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In addition to his work in the energy sector, Festus is also a respected thought leader in the industry. He frequently speaks at conferences and events to share his insights and expertise with others. He is committed to making a positive impact on the world and believes that by reshaping African enterprise through energy innovation, we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Festus Agbonifo

Under Festus’ leadership, Fesbec has built a reputation for delivering reliable, cost-effective energy solutions. He is a strong leader who inspires his team to strive for excellence in all aspects of their work. He is dedicated to creating a culture of innovation and collaboration within his organization, where every employee is encouraged to bring their unique perspectives and ideas to the table.

Festus is also committed to giving back to the community. He is involved in several philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving access to energy and education in underserved communities especially in Nigeria and more recently Uganda. He believes that by empowering people with the tools they need to succeed, we can create a more just and equitable society.

Festus Agbonifo is a visionary leader who is reshaping African enterprise through energy innovation. His commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment is driving positive change across the continent. As businesses in Africa continue to face new challenges and opportunities, Festus and his team are well-positioned to help them succeed in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Learn more about the innovative work of Fesbec Consulting:

Website: www.fesbec.com
Email: [email protected]

How Onyeka Akumah Built a Successful Tech Startup: The Story of Treepz

What inspired you to start Treepz and what challenges did you face in the beginning?

What inspired me to start Treepz was that in 2009 I already decided that there were three sectors that I wanted to find means of using technology to have a positive impact. One of them was Agriculture, getting people to eat on a daily basis. The second was Real Estate, so that people will be able to stay in a house and the third one is Transportation because I want people to move better.

I already had these sectors in mind and I wanted to focus on their strength, technology and marketing. I had done something in the Agriculture space In 2016 with Farmcrowdy,I had done something in the real estate space in 2018 with RentSmallSmall.com and I was looking at something to do in the transportation space. In January 2019 we explored the use of public transportation just to know what it looks like. People had to use public transportation in Lagos and they had to do it without technology and I felt like it was an opportunity to bring some sanity into the transportation business. There are about 9 million people that use the bus in Lagos daily and I felt like it was so much opportunity to not ignore the technology in that sector.

I worked with my team, put together a plan and after 8-9 months we launched Treepz. Initially it was called PlentyWaka. We raised money from a crowdfunding portal to buy buses, it was a major challenge. Though it did well in the first 6 months and we were able to move about 100,000 people who started paying attention to what we were doing. But Covid hit us hard and those buses were grounded because there were no activities during lock-down which led to debts. That was one of the major challenges we faced. The second one was financing the business. Initially we were doing things on our own and by ourselves; we then got to that road block where Covid hit us hard, that was also a challenge. There was also a challenge of bringing something new to the market. No one before Treepz had used technology or mobile app to get people to move from one bus stop to the other in Nigeria and West Africa.

Something that I’ve always loved doing while we are breaking new grounds  and trying to do new things  and showing people that we can provide solutions to problems they didn’t even know existed and then get addicted to using our solutions really showed that there’s  actually a major  lead for that problem. Those were the early challenges we had to face while building Treepz but we’ve grown from there and glory be to God where it is now. We have about 3 million tickets sold over the last 3 years and expanding.

Treepz
This is amazing. What are those factors that contributed to the success of Treepz?

A couple of things have helped us to continue to grow and push forward. One is the experience of the team. My background helped me to build other people businesses and my own businesses. That helped significantly in knowing what to do and avoiding some things even if I cannot avoid everything. I was an early team member in Wakanow in 2010, I was one of the first employees in Jumia in 2012 when it was called Sabunta and Kasuwa, I have built and sold two of my startups before, I’ve helped people to launch their businesses  and I’ve worked in the corporate space with Deloitte, British Council and GTBank, I think the experience counted for me. My Co-founders have similar experiences. They’ve lead successful teams, they’ve build businesses and they are entrepreneurs as well. The other team members contribute and perform their magic as well.

The second thing is that we learnt from our mistakes. We’ve made many mistakes but we never repeat those mistakes. We learn very quickly and we are able to find better ways of doing things.

Three is that we take risk early so that it allows us to identify what we can scale. You can get everything right and just find yourself in the wrong time.

Excellent. It has shown that you’ve had a lot of experience and it has cumulated into the successes that you have today. Are there lessons that you’ve learnt about entrepreneurship and how are those lessons influenced your business decisions today?

I was introduced to the act of creating values at an early stage. My mum made me do this when I was 12years old, raising day old chicks into full grown chickens and selling them at Christmas to get money that you’ll use to buy whatever gifts that you’ll want to get for Christmas. At 15 I had set up a business centre in Ajah area of Lagos in 2000. I’ve always found means of using my skills to create value. There was a time I had to pay for my studies from websites I designed. That background helped in kick starting my entrepreneurship journey.  Looking ahead into doing proper business,  I had to learn the act of setting up a business and creating value, getting valued customers, getting feedback early, improving on the products, recruiting smart team members and delegating.

One key strength is that I have a background in software engineering and I’ve been able to understand technology and its implementation. I also learn how to market and sell technology. I focus on my strength and people focus on theirs to make whatever we are doing a success. These are some of the things that have helped.

How did you build a strong team and what are the qualities that you looked out for in your employees?

I call it relationship capital. I meet so many people, I’ve recruited so many people and I’ve spoken to so many people. In the process of doing this I focus on those that have similar core values and those I can work with, I also identify those that can work as co-founders with me in setting up businesses. I might find a co-founder five years before the idea and I’ll create a relationship where we can make things together in the future.

When it comes to recruiting team members, if you can get it right with the first set of people you’ll most likely get it right with the rest from there with strong core values and processes in place. In setting up my businesses, one of my early recruits is the HR Manager to set the tone for culture and people management processes. I try to set up the kind of culture we want in the organization, our core values and then we start recruiting people from there. I also focus on core value, you can have a perfect CV but if you have the wrong attitude you’ll not fit into our system.

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This is incredible. Apart from skills, the right attitude also matters. What marketing strategy did you use and how did you measure their effectiveness?

When starting a new business you just want to get your first set of customers. My first set of business marketing tools are the networking on LinkedIn and the use of email newsletters. I try to sell my products to my networks first and I see if they’ll embrace it. I use email marketing to communicate ideas and I see how people will respond to that.

We always profile our customers, we have an identity of what they’ll look like and we target people that will fit that personnel, fit into it in the future or had passed through it in the past. We always target our audience. Our business has evolved to a place where we are smarter at how we do our marketing, we now know who our target audience should be at this stage of the business. You see a lot more of us around because you may just be part of our target market.

Fantastic. What role did innovation play in the development of your business and how do you play ahead of your competition?

The application of technology always brings about innovation to businesses because it makes it smarter, more structured and it helps to form decisions especially in the system where there was no technology. From an innovative perspective, finding means of applying technology to a sector that has no technology always makes one stand out. There’s nothing I’ve done that doesn’t have an application of technology. Technology helped us to generate funds from the public. Technology is always regarded as innovative.

We respect those that like to compete against us but what we’ve noticed over time is we create what every other person wants to imitate. We are ahead of the curve and we always think of what the next thing will be. We pay attention to what competition does but  we don’t really have new things to learn so we rather focus on the opportunities ahead and create them. It starts with us and every other person comes along.

We always want to create values and we always want to make our customers happier. That pushes us to constantly innovating on things. Our attention is creating values for customers may be this makes us ahead of the rest.

Incredible. How did you raise capital and what advice do you have for entrepreneurs that are seeking investment?

Raising capital always starts from relationships, the first set of capital I’ve raised was capital from people within my network. Funds can be raised through an accelerator, through an investors or though customers. Just make sure that you keep sharing updates and your investors get constant results about your progress.

My advice to new entrepreneurs is that you should first put in your own money and that’s the biggest risk you can take. You can then start building traction and use the network you have to get new capital. You can get into accelerator programs if you can. Let investors see your progress.

During the course of your entrepreneurship journey, what are some of the biggest mistakes that you’ve made and how did you learn from them?

One mistake was when I raised money for my first start up and I decided to immediately move into a new business model. That was a very big mistake we have learned from. Today we raise money and we stay focused on what made us raise that money and make our customers happier. The second thing is just employing people for their CVs. Have people with passion on your team, have people that are driven, put people on the team based on passion and vision, people that are teachable and hungry to learn.

Another thing that I learnt is identifying the jurisdiction of the market that you’re in and something that fits your model. This will help you get your timing and environment right. Doing the right business at the wrong time will make a business fail also doing the wrong business at the right time will still make it fail, so just get the perfect timing and get it right.

This is amazing. How did you know that Treepz will not fail from the beginning?

People were already using their mobile apps to book for flight tickets and hotel tickets but not buses before we launched in 2019. I already knew that people were getting comfortable with commuting with mobile apps. There are some customers that will have the Uber apps on their phones but won’t use it because its expensive. In deciding that  it  was a right time for this, it was coming from  a place where  the technology  around booking  for your commute not new but using  that to get a bus where you will share your ride with other  people that booked on the same bus, that was new.

We spent about three months educating people on what the value was after launching in September 2019. Once one person use our service, we noticed they referred to friends and family. Word got out! It took us three months to get people to know our model and another 3 months to reach a point where we had more demand than supply to meet our customer’s need.  

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs who wants to build a successful business as well?

One is getting a great network of people. Relationship capital cannot be underestimated. People focus more on financial capital, I focus more on relationship capital. You’d employ yourself when you’re building your start up; you’d employ what you were when you were working with other people. Be deliberate about your start up and be deliberate on how you help other people build their startups or businesses as well because karma is real. Be deliberate about the network you’re building around you. Give first so that people can give back to you. Always keep track of your growth from day one.

All business ideas don’t become a success, many times they become a lesson and how you can do better with the next business idea.  Get people to mentor you and don’t take all the advice, use advice to sample your business and let your gut feeling tell you what to do.  Don’t go on the journey alone, have a team around you.

How Ejide is Building MaterialsPro: An on-demand B2B eCommerce platform for bulk building materials, providing timely and scheduled deliveries at great prices.

What motivated you to get started with MaterialsPro?

With a background helping B2B clients manage end to end procurement it came as a
culture shock to learn first hand, albeit the hard way, the extent home builders in the construction industry are plagued by challenges of materials sourcing, of logistics management, of price negotiation, etc. All these many issues take its toll on their business and time that should ordinarily be channeled to the core of their work which is to build durable, functional, and beautiful edifices.
Much earlier on, I embarked on a personal building project. But even after employing the services of a professional builder, this phase of the project was marred by huge setbacks, resulting particularly in upward budget review, and missed project deadline.
I saw this up-close and repeatedly for many other professional home builders, and people I believed should have a better work around. It was at this point that it dawned on me there is a need to provide solutions here. It literally was an ah ah moment given what I know is possible… And that became the basis for MaterialsPro.

What specific problem are you solving with your startup and how are you solving it?

We are helping home builders and contractors remove the challenges of seeking frequent project cost variations with clients, helping them plan and seamlessly manage the procurement of building materials to project sites, on time and as scheduled, and we are helping them reduce overall project costs. All the while giving them peace of mind so they can focus on their core specialization, the actual building itself.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers

We have been intentional about staying true to our brand promise of giving home builders peace of mind by making bulk building materials available to project sites on time and within budget. This has helped us retain most of our early customers who have continued to make repeated purchases to date and even referred our service to others.

Describe what makes your business unique?

With a cumulative of over 35 years experience across industries, our energetic founding team is formed around competence for the major challenges we are solving for the construction industry. Besides this, our people centered approach is helping us meet the needs of builders in our target customers segment.

How did you fund your startup?

We started out bootstrapping on the idea and we raised angel funding along the line. This has helped with our operations especially as we deal in an industry with a significant average order value.

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What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources for you?

I have read a number of books which have shaped my entrepreneurial journey, but some that stood out include Built to Last by Jim Collins, Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson, Tough Time Never Last, Tough People Do! By Robert Harold Schuller.
I also get inspiration learning about other founders and their startups. This I’m able to catch up with on platforms like Buildd and The Flip podcast.

What were the biggest challenges you faced and the obstacles you overcame?

There’s quite a number of them. One I’ll say relates to the hiring of staff with the right attitudes and capacities. We always want a square peg in a square hole. That’s the only way to ever get anything done. Yet, it’s a constant battle. One we take upon ourselves to win at.

What is your greatest business achievement to date?

We recently crossed 5,000,000 kilograms of building materials deliveries. This is such a big deal for me: it is progress! Interestingly, we’re barely scratching the surface based on the possibilities we see.

Where would you like your startup to be in five years?

To be the epic centre for innovative solutions and a reference point when it comes to how building materials are sourced in Nigeria and across Africa.

What one thing do you wish someone had told you when you started on your business journey?

That you can’t have it all figured out from the onset. Do not wait until you have a perfect solution before launching to the market. As fast as possible, you want to put a version of your solution in the hands of your users, get their feedback, and iterate on it, and repeat the process over and over.

If you had the chance to do things differently, what would you do?

Launch our solutions to the market much earlier than we did. Never wait until our
solution is fully ready before hitting the market.

Have you had any failed business

Yes, I have. I once co-founded a marketing communication firm that did not do so well as we had a challenge putting up the right team. It affected us a great deal.

What are some sources for learning you would recommend for entrepreneurs who are just starting?

Mentorship Programs, and entrepreneurship networks – when the going gets tough, it can really be over your head to see past your situation or even have a fair assessment of it. You need these categories of people to pull through such periods.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

The real validation of ideas comes from the market and users. Launch fast, gather
feedback, iterate based on the feedback and launch again. It’s a continuous cycle!
Cash flow is a major killer of business. Focus on earning revenue early to sustain your business while you look for alternative sources of funding to probably expand the business.
Start with a committed founding team, people that share similar values with different competencies. It’s a long ride and it is easier not going it alone.

Entrepreneurship is a long and tough journey. Your persistence, perseverance and grit is what gets you through.

One business app and one personal app you can’t do without?

Google workspace Apps! Easy to use. 1 can collaborate and continue my work on the Go!

Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?

We will be hiring soon. We are planning to also share it on our Linkedin Page when we’re ready.

At Just 19 Years Old, Founder of Raidonnews Raises $61K for Next-Level PR and Marketing

Sameer

Raidonnews, the PR and marketing firm founded by Sameer Satyarth, has recently secured funding from V & E Consulting Group Ltd. The company received an investment of $61,000, with an investor’s equity of 15%. Raidonnews had a pre-money valuation of $345,141 and a post-money valuation of $405,971. Sameer Satyarth embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 14 and founded Raidonnews in 2018.

With over four years of experience in the field, Sameer has honed his skills in the press release and public relations, social media marketing, digital marketing, web development, blogging, search engine optimization, graphics designing, HR operations, and leadership.

How_sameer_built_raidonnews

Raidonnews is a venture that focuses on promoting people, goods, and services. The team aims to promote anything from scratch and make it a brand by increasing its social media presence. Unlike many big players in the PR and marketing field, Raidonnews does not just cover the big celebrities and influencers but also someone who is very less known and wants to grow. Doing PR for those who are not at all known is a bigger task than promoting someone who is already known. And the biggest gap that Raidonnews is filling in the market is “Charges”.

Unlike other PR companies, Raidonnews understands the client’s needs and problems and charges the least amount from them to promote them. Raidonnews has already delivered its services to more than 1500 clients. Startups, new goods, new services, and new people often face the biggest problem of marketing and promotion.

Worth Reading: This 19 years old is Building Techsics: A Tech Startup in India

Due to a lack of funds, they are prone to failure. However, Raidonnews picks all these small businesses, people, goods, and services from scratch and promotes them with the least charges. Raidonnews believes in empathy more than business and aims to promote each and every kind of people, good, and service to give them a fair chance of growth.

Sameer Satyarth is proud of his achievements and the growth of his ventures. He believes that his experience can be of great value to his college and its students and would be grateful for any guidance and support.

With the recent funding from V & E Consulting Group Ltd, Raidonnews is well-positioned to continue its mission of promoting and supporting startups and small businesses.

Startup Name: Kyshi

Startup_Focus_Kyshi
Introducing "Startup Focus" - a segment highlighting groundbreaking startups across various industries. Join us as we discover the latest innovations and disruptors shaping our world for the better.

Kyshi is a fintech company founded by Ayo Akindele that provides a platform for Africans to transact money across borders.

It all started in 2011 when Ayo conceived the idea of Kyshi, It was difficult for him and his community to receive and send funds from Nigeria to the UK. Ayo, being a firm believer of “if you don’t like it, fix it” – created Kyshi.

Startup_Focus_Kyshi
𝗪𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐃𝐎

An app that provides a formal, simple and secure platform for Africans to transact across borders.
Kyshi marketplace runs a peer-to-peer system that lets you create or accept an offer at a convenient rate. We are on a mission to unlock more countries while demystifying money transfers one currency at a time, connecting you to Africa.

Nicknamed the neo-bank for Africans, Kyshi was founded in 2020 by Ayo Akindele. The payment startup fees are flexible depending on a host of factors, but it’s not more than 3%. Kyshi also charges zero setup and maintenance fees.

Worth Reading: How We Are Building Babymigo: Nigeria’s Largest Pregnancy and Parenting Community

We want to provide a formal, safe and efficient way for Africans to exchange currencies across borders. With us, you can determine how far your money can go at the click of a button ~ Ayo Akindele

Kyshi (pronounced kee-shee) comes from Kishi, the Nigerian and Ghanaian slang
for “money”.