Thursday, December 31, 2015

Do You Want To Start Your Own Business In 2016?


I have been away for some time because I got engaged to supervise and manage NEW BUSINESS SET-UP ideas I sold to some clients in the cause of writing articles about small businesses and entrepreneurship. Year 2015 has been a period of mixed blessings as I will write about the successes I attained in the year 2015 as we delve into 2016, I will Endeavour to share some of the business ideas I tried, those that failed and the ones that brought reasonable incomes. I hope there will be enough time for me to write more articles in 2016 as I have a whole lot of consulting service in waiting already and this might take me travelling out of Lagos for some period of time, however, I will try as much as possible to give my very best as events unfolds.

There are many reasons for wanting to start your own business, and most of us get to this point in life where being your own boss is the next best decision available.  Irrespective of the motive behind such a move, one of the following reasons should be the motivating factor for desiring to be your own boss.

Ø Freedom from daily routine.
Ø Doing what I want when I want.
Ø Improve my living standard.
Ø I want creative freedom.
Ø I want to fully use my skills, knowledge and education.
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Friday, November 27, 2015

RAPE DRAMA IN THE MIDDLE OF KOGI ELECTION


When US based blogger and popular twitter personality @Empress Sugabelly had her private messages to a friend exposed by another twitter user, there was a lot of buzz on social media because not only were the contents of the messages very disturbing in it's graphic description of the continuous sexual violation she was allegedly subjected to by the sons and friends of the late governor of Kogi state, Abubabakar Audu, it also coincided with the death of latter.

http://www.nairaland.com/2767192/mustapha-audu-speaks-sugabelly-alleged/6#40472545

http://sugabellyrocks.com/2015/11/surviving-mustapha-audu-and-his-rape-brigade.html
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Thursday, November 26, 2015

HOW A PEASANT FARMER BUILT THE HYUNDAI BRAND


The Hyundai line of vehicles just like Benz, Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Honda are now very common in Nigeria, hardly would you count 10 vehicles on the road and not notice a Hyundai brand among them. Before now there is the phobia for vehicles whose maker or name is sparsely unknown, the common brand of Automobiles seen on Nigerian roads remains the Toyota, Honda, Benz, VW, Nissan and the moribund Peugeot cars. Back in 1986, the first Hyundai was introduced to the market and the company’s line-up has changed spectacularly since that time. Hyundai produces much more than cars; in fact, by the end of the last century Hyundai became one of the largest companies in the world. Let’s take a look at this Korean based multinational corporation and the company behind Hyundai vehicles.

It was back in 1946, just one year removed from Imperial Japan’s occupation of the Korean peninsula, that a new company was birthed in what is now known as South Korea. Hyundai Motor Industrial Company was founded by Chung Ju-yung, a child of northern Korean peasant farmers, and in 1947 Ju-yung launched a second company, Hyundai Civil Industries. Self educated, Ju-yung transformed the entire Korean economy with the tight control he exerted over his Hyundai companies.
The first Hyundai business was tasked with building automobiles while the second Hyundai Company concentrated on construction. Indeed, much of modern South Korea’s infrastructure was built by Hyundai in the period after the cessation of the Korean War in 1953 and on through the 1970s. Dams, an expressway, a shipbuilding yard, and a nuclear power plant were all built by Hyundai Civil Industries, while Hyundai Motors produced cars made primarily from Japanese components. Hyundai’s influence stretched far beyond the Korean peninsula as the company won
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Friday, November 13, 2015

HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS EVEN WHILE ON 9-5 JOB


Six years ago I was still an employee of Guaranty Trust Bank plc and my salary was a little below N100K monthly, basically I lived on a tight budget while on the job. Bankers as we all know mostly, liked to live the happier than thou lifestyle but most of us lived a borrowed life, our car is acquired through Loan, our furniture is bought on credit, the house we lived in is secured through mortgage loan as well, even our shirts, suits and shoes that we make ‘shakara’ with is usually acquired on credit. Some of us even go as far borrowing money to float an elaborate wedding after which the marital institution fell off like a pack of domino when the center holds no more. Millions of people are desperate to escape the 9 to 5 job; one popular alternative is to look for a business opportunity that turns you from an employee into a self-employed entrepreneur running your own business. See related article…http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/11/should-you-stick-to-your-present-job-or.html
There are many good reasons why this can be a wise move. Being your own boss means you can set your own hours and decide when the shot is called by not waiting for a superior order from above. This can be very important if your present income is not commensurate with your efforts, or simply you wish to spend more time with your family at home. Working from the comfort of your home can also save valuable time spent in traffic gridlocks, if the alternative is spending two or three hours every day commuting back and forth to your work place. And perhaps, working for yourself also gives you the opportunity to diversify and makes more money than your present job offers. Read related article.. http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/06/are-you-still-in-paid-employment-11.html
Fortunately, being your own boss gives you that priceless commodity called liberty. It sets you free from the confines of being someone else's paid employee, and in return makes you in charge of your own future. As a self-employed entrepreneur you are free to set your own timing, establish your own work routine, choose what work you will do or will not do, it afford you to create your own products, build your own customers, and do what you have to do to make those customers contented.
And perhaps most importantly, when you are self-employed you are free to set your own prices and make as much or as little income as you are able. You will not have to answer to anyone other than yourself, your suppliers, and of course, the regulatory authorities after your business becomes booming.


How do you get started -- Two Options
There are two apparent ways you can go about starting your own business. The first option is to quit your day job and launch full bore into your new business. This can be referred to as the "Plunge Approach". The second way is to continue with your current employment and develop a business on the side, in your spare time. We'll call this the "Auxiliary Instance Approach".

Based on your situational circumstance, taking Plunge Approach can be either an act of courage or just plain carelessness. Unless you are autonomously wealthy, planning and
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Monday, November 2, 2015

SHOULD YOU STICK TO YOUR PRESENT JOB OR QUIT?



In the month of September 2009, I decided I was not going to work as a banker again, I took the bold step to stop being an employee and becoming an entrepreneur by resigning my appointment with Guaranty Trust Bank plc even when I had the opportunity to cross carpet to other banks looking for high performers in marketing field like me. Going down memory lane, it’s been six years of sojourn in the entrepreneurial landscape, the terrain is rough, volatile, highly competitive and sometimes life threatening.

There is a common saying about winners never quit and quitters never win, this notion can most oftentimes be just wrong!  Sometimes winner do quit, and sometimes quitters really do win.  It’s about knowing when to hold on and when to move on, and in the labour industry, this is a lesson we all must have mastery. Related article...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/09/11-genuine-reasons-why-you-need-to.html

Whenever you start a new Job, it’s usually very exciting.  Its fun, it’s new, and it’s a lot easier to stick to.  After awhile, the Job sometimes starts to lose your interest.  It starts to get boring when you keep doing the same thing over and over again, and then it gets a lot harder to stick to. 


You shouldn’t always keep working at something because if it’s going nowhere, it could be preventing you from realizing success. So many people will tell you to keep pushing no matter what – that it’s the only way to be successful.  That’s not always true.  Smart people know when to escape those dead ends and walk away.

Yes, winners do quit.  They quit while they quitting’s good.  They quit when it makes sense to quit. People who fail a lot generally fail to keep going when times get a little rough.  Sometimes they’ll even keep going when they know deep down they’re fighting a losing battle. See also...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/08/5-questions-to-ask-before-starting-your.html

If you train yourself, you can eventually learn to tell when you should quit and when you should keep pushing.  It becomes second nature.  Until then, there are a few tips you can use to decide whether or not you should maintain momentum with a specific job.

Firstly, you should ask how long you’ve been going on the present job or projects.  If you’ve been going quite awhile, giving up might be a waste of the work you’ve already put in.  Then again, if you’ve stuck to something for a very, very long time and you’re not seeing any germane results; would it not be ridiculous to keep going? 


Secondly, you should also ask yourself if the potential rewards are worth it.  If you’re over-working yourself for a job and the reward is just a tiny fraction of
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Monday, October 26, 2015

NEED START-UP CAPITAL? GRADUATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND (GEF) CALL FOR ENTRIES


The Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) is a special N2 billion empowerment programme for serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which was launched on October 5, 2015. This novel scheme, which is a joint initiative of the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has the following objectives:
- Encourage graduates of tertiary institutions currently undergoing the compulsory one-year NYSC programme, to venture into business and become employers of labour rather than job seekers.
- Address the entrepreneurship capacity gap of the NYSC members who are expected to produce bankable business plans after the three-day capacity building programme.Related...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com/2015/10/9-sure-steps-to-set-up-your-own.html
- Deepen financial inclusion by de-risking the NYSC members and making them eligible for concessional loans ranging between N500,000 and N2 million to be provided by BOI.
- Ensure sustainability of the businesses of the eventual loan beneficiaries through effective monitoring by the NYSC Directorate and BOI.
The GEF Programme comprises the following:
a. Online Business Plan Competition to select the most promising real sector business ideas. Selection/screening of participants shall be done via the GEF online application portal: www.boinigeria.com
[ www.scholarship-nigeria.com ]
b. Three days intensive entrepreneurship capacity building programme.
c. Loan amount of up to N2 million to be provided to each successful participant with bankable business plans within BOI's 35 SME clusters (list at BOI's website www.boi.ng), at an interest rate of 9% per annum, with tenors ranging from 3 - 5 years
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Thursday, October 22, 2015

9 SURE STEPS TO SET UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN 2016


Nigeria’s population is estimated to be around 180 million and it is established that 60% of the population are youths; incidentally, 70% of the youth population are unemployed, underemployed or unemployable. If these figure is anything to go by and the trend continues unabated, am afraid the future of Nigeria economy will still be bleak in a long time to come.
A small Business venture is the perfect alternative to generating residual income for both the government and the entire working population at large. The FEDERAL GOVT OF NIGERIA having realized these small business potentials has created some machinery for driving the economy by creating avenues for accessing SMEs funds. Such initiative could be found in F.G Youwin! Grants; SME development fund; SureP;SMEDAN Fund; Bank of Industry; FIRRO Oshodi; Bank Of Industry Agro cottage funds; Tony Elumelu foundation; Dangote Foundation/Trust Fund; Theophilus Danjuma Foundation/Trust Fund;etc.

If you have been thinking of starting your own business but with a little information on how to make the first step, then, you have to answer the following questions.

ü Would you like to be self sufficient and make steady income in the year 2016?
ü Do you want to be financially independent earning from your passion?
ü Do you desire a flexible work schedule where you determine when you start and when you stop?
ü Do you wish to help someone out of poverty?
ü Do you want to be less dependent on others for sustenance?
ü Do you want to have your own BRAND NAME in the marketplace?
ü Do you wish to contribute to Nigeria’s GDP?
ü Do you want to be a millionaire using legal business means?
ü Do you want to make extra income while still holding your paid job?
ü Do you want to learn how to make money from the NEW ECONOMIC AGENDA come 2016?
ü Do you wish to quit your paid 5am-9pm job/employment for your own company?
ü Do you need a perfect gift for yourself, family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and well wishers?

Follow these simple, tested and proven guidelines and you will be glad to have this information FREE OF CHARGE.

1. DECIDE WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS YOU WANT TO PUT UP. You may ask from some of your successful friends what type of business to start with. Well, they might suggest some, but the right answer is in you. Deciding what type of business you would put up means reflecting deeply the things you want to do and things you are good at. Look ahead and ask yourself these questions: Am I willing to do this business everyday for years? What do I love to do? What are the things that are both profitable, at the same time, things that I find enjoyable? These questions will lead you to specific type of business you want to put up. Take your time. See help here….http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/10/top-129-small-businesses-you-can-start.html

2. DO RESEARCH. Once you have determined a particular type of business you want to put up, study its profitability. You simply don’t put up a business you love, don’t you? You still have to think if the business will click. Feasibility study would do the job. In other words, study if the business you are trying to put up will return to you the investment you have given. In here, you have to decide where to put up your business. Remember that a certain type of business would hit big time in one place but not in the other places, so make sure that the place you chose will give you good sales once you have opened. 
See also…http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/09/surest-way-to-build-successful-business.html

3. DECIDE ON THE BUSINESS NAME. Create a name that is EASY to pronounce and remember; the name that will put every element of your business in a nutshell. A name may or may not be short as long as it distinguishable. 

See related articles…http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2014/07/how-to-register-your.html

4. DECIDE ON THE FORM OF BUSINESS. Form of business means that you will have to choose between, incorporation, partnership, and sole proprietorship. Know the difference between the 3 and what are their advantages and disadvantages to you.

5. BUSINESS REGISTRATION. Most businesses must be registered and there are processes to follow. You need to conduct availability check for the business name and

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

9 SECRET TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE ENTREPRENEUR

An entrepreneur’s responsibility would be to satisfy his clients in order to fulfill the objective of being business which is profit and freedom. It is not out of place to say that he should see his customers as his patients and what they must have to survive a present predicament or a need. He must follow certain steps before doing anything irrational that could contribute to the downfall of his business. He should have certain characteristics innate in his personality for if he lacks one of these, he’s most probably doomed to fail.
Entrepreneurship is collectively defined as exhibiting one’s vision, taking action, and pursuing that vision as a goal to be achieved in life as service to reality. In the meaningless definition, it’s getting yourself out of that couch and doing something rather than fulfilling your life’s destiny of being a couch potato. Highlighted below are some of the distinct attitudes an entrepreneur should positively have:
1.     FEARLESS- An entrepreneur must be courageous in order to face the stark realities of life as relates to business. The fear of unknown has killed many beautiful dreams conceived by prospective entrepreneurs. In order to bring the idea to fruition, aspiring entrepreneur needs to overcome the ‘I can’t do it attitude’.

2.     OPTIMISM – is foreseeing things in a positive way notwithstanding any circumstances that may hinder progress. The assertiveness of an individual depends on his knowledge of how to handle a difficult situation.

3.     CONCEPTUAL SKILL- This involves the formulation of ideas, an entrepreneur should possess the skills necessary to identify opportunities, create needs and design a way to actualize such idea.

4.     CREATIVITY – It is thinking outside the box, expanding one’s mind of what is beyond the ordinary through fine research and collection of data.
5.     STABILITY – Either physical, mental, social or emotional, a leader must possess a stable life which means he could handle tough situations during tough times.
6.     ENIGMATIC – intelligence of communicating with different walks of life. Who says a charming man is less than an intelligent one? A good entrepreneur must have
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Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Diezani In London By Michael Egbejumi-David | Sahara Reporters

"As was the case with Alamieyeseigha, the British government took over a lot of Ibori’s UK assets which were quite considerable. They are getting ready to do it again to Alison-Madueke. As we speak, the UK government has filed a separate application against Mrs. Agama, Diezani’s mother, for the seizure of an undisclosed amount of money. Foolishly, we continue to lose our meagre wealth to our erstwhile colonial master and other wealthy nations. What an irony!"........Michael Egbejumi-David.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/10/06/diezani-london-michael-egbejumi-david
Diezani In London By Michael Egbejumi-David | Sahara Reporters
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5 EASY STEPS TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS


Building a business for success is not an easy task. Conceiving the idea of starting a profitable business most oftentimes is not as onerous as building the business itself. Many aspiring entrepreneurs are still at the embryonic stage of business development because they do not possess the skill to actually build a profitable business. This easy to follow step by step guide provides an outline to starting a business in just five easy steps. Read also...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/06/are-you-tired-of-earning-salary-alone.html
Creating a successful and profitable business is not an easy task. It’s reliant on many outside factors, including competition, timing and demand, which you have very little to no control over at the beginning. Assuming all of these outside factors are in your favor, having a sound business plan can lead to having a successful business. Here are five steps to consider when you’re building your business from the ground up: 

1. Decide On Your Business Idea And What You Are Selling?
This question isn’t as easy to answer as you may think. Keep in mind, there’s more to a product than, well, the product. Your brand is what sets your product apart from your competitor’s. Related article...http://hollalaycan.blogspot.com.ng/2015/10/top-129-small-businesses-you-can-start.html

2. Identify Your Target Market Whom You Are Selling To?
This step is a bit less interpretive as the first, though equally important. Who are you selling to? And more importantly, what do you know about this person? Understanding your consumer is a key to success. What do they do? Where do they hang out? What do they watch on television? These are just a few of the questions that you should be able to answer about your consumer. Knowing the answers to these questions can answer a lot of questions of your own when it comes to a devising a marketing strategy. This ability to perceive your consumer's desire can only be a result of knowing them like your neighbor. 

3. Device A Conscious Marketing Strategy On How To Speak To The People?
This is a culmination of understanding your brand and your consumer. As mentioned in number two, understanding your consumer can answer a lot of questions concerning your marketing strategy: Where should you advertise? What's the voice of your brand? What kind of prices are reasonable for this demographic? In order to engage your consumer, a.k.a. sell your product to them, you must know where your advertisements will be noticed, how to speak to them, and how much they will be able to spend,
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Saturday, October 3, 2015

TOP 129 SMALL BUSINESSES YOU CAN START WITH LITTLE OR NO CAPITAL.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet with just one income source. Thus more and more people are investigating the possibilities of starting their own extra income home business. Most of these part time endeavors are started and operated from the comfort of their home.
Before you start: the first thing you must do however is some basic market research. Find out for yourself, first-hand, just how many people will be interested in your proposed products or services, and would be willing to stand in line and pay money for it.
This is known as defining your market and identifying your prospective customers. If after checking around telling people about your ideas, with a whole lot of people over a period between 1 – 3 weeks, you get the idea that these people would be paying customers; your next effort should be directly towards the “detailing” of your business plan.
IF CRAFTING A BUSINESS PLAN WILL NOT LET YOU KICK-START A BUSINESS, I WILL TRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO GIVE A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN AND ALSO GIVE YOU SAMPLE OF A BUSINESS PLAN I DEVELOPED.
The more precise and detailed your plan is, covering all the basics related to how you will do everything that needs to be done, the easier it is going to be for you to attain success. Such a plan show your start-up investment needs, your advertising plans, your product costs and procedures, your sales program, and how your time would be allocated.
Too often enthusiastic and ambitious entrepreneurs jump in on an extra income project and suddenly find that the costs are beyond their abilities and the time requirements are more than they can meet.
It pays to lay it all out on paper before you get involved, the clearer you can “see” everything before you start the better your chances for success.
Have you always wanted to become your own boss and take control of your time, work at home using your spare room/space, backyard or your one room apartment as an office and residential but never had a clue of money making ideas to pursue your dream? You do not have to wait for manners to fall from heaven before you take the first step to financial liberty, just one of these money-making idea can be your blueprint for success. The list is not exhaustive but I believed you can pick an interest in one or two of the businesses listed:
1. CONSULTANCY SERVICES: - This is the foremost of the small businesses one could ever think of; one can basically consult on almost anything and everything. Just think of any special skill in your possession and pronto, you can make a reasonable income from it. E.g. marriage counseling, business consult, legal consult, property consultancy, educational consulting, media consultant, etc. One do not have to possess any capital to start consulting, just some contacts on your phone, email addresses and referrals from family and friends, you are good to go.


2. RESTAURANT: - No matter how poor people may be, food still remains the number one basic necessities of life before clothing and shelter. If you can do it right, it’s one of the surest way to crossing the poverty line. If you are still in doubt, please visit Equal Right in Somolu, Amala Sonola in ogba Aguda, Ewa-Agonyin(Beans) palace in Unilag etc. With a capital between N10K – N50k, you should be making a residual income from it.

3.     FASHION AND TAILORING SERVICES: - From time immemorial fashion business has been dynamic and ever present. From Paris to New-York, Milan to Lagos, Beijing to Joburg, fashion statements defies national/ethnic boundaries. Different occasions demand special outfits; one can easily take advantage of the trend in fashion consciousness of the people to earn a decent living. You can start with as little as N30K-N100K.


4.     REAL ESTATE AGENCY: - By finding properties for prospective clients, you perform a valuable service to both owner of properties and prospective tenants. Advertise that you have listings available for houses, apartments, flats, rooms, offices, etc. You can either charge a one-time fee for finding accommodations or work on a commission. In this line of business, capital or professional qualification is not really required as a start-up, you can belong to groups in the real estate NICHE or get briefs from family and friends, just have the right information and you will always smile to the bank. In addition, you can also be a property manager to your clients and earn steady income from management fees.


5.                 RENTAL BUSINESS: This has mushroomed into an attractive new business opportunity. People like to borrow, do-it-yourself rent professional equipment. Many people are doing well these days by acting as rental agents for all manner of things - power tools, trucks, cars, electric generators, etc. Just look around your environment and conduct a research on items that could be of rental value to your community. For example, if you live in an area where property development is just springing up, you can decide to venture into giving out building tools such as, wheel-barrow, head-pan, shovel, trowels, drums, ladders, scaffolding, sledge hammers, pick-up trucks, etc.

6.                 LAUNDRY/IRONING SERVICE /CLOTHES CLEANING: Everyone has dirty clothes for laundry and ironing, but many working class and career individuals do not have the time to tend to their laundry themselves because of the busy schedule of work or business, this is where you would come in and make money by doing a professional laundry service, especially in areas where power supply is erratic. If your backyard/compound is spacious enough to accommodate washer-men and pressers who will do justice to the clothes, hire them and start making money. This business could just be for you if you have a knack for cleanliness and corporate cleaning services. With a capital between N20K – N100K this business could turn you to a millionaire over a period of time.

7.                 HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE: Many home-owners and apartment dwellers will welcome help at "house cleaning'. Charge a flat fee for the amount of work that must be done. Make arrangements with firms that provide labour for tidying up office environment, cleaning carpets, dusting the furniture, polishing, etc. and collect a commission from them. Tell your friends and family who are moving to a new house or changing offices, with the help of fliers or handbills you could reach out to a large audience.

8.     MAKE AND SELL CUSTOMIZED JEWELLERIES AND BEADS: Homemade costume jewelers; sell directly to jeweler outlets, gift shops, hair-dressers shops, clothes boutiques, and by selling on e-commerce shops such as Jumia, Konga, Payporte, OLX, Facebook Shopify, Gtbank smemarkethub, etc.  It is possible to start with limited capital of N5K- N20k.

9.              GAME CENTERS: The game center concept is good, both for those who have jobs and those who want full time involvement. A game center is a place where people mostly young come to play computer basic games like play station, Nintendo, Atari, etc. You can also provide space for refreshments like ice cream, snacks, soft drinks etc. Gaming centers charge customers who come to their outlet between N100.00 – N500.00 depending on the area, and the type of customers you are dealing with. If you start small, you can make between N5k – N20k per day. There is a classical game center at Mende by Maryland, it is built with a portal cabin and looks beautiful as well. You can as well provide a MOBILE GAME cabin for birthdays and get-together parties, this arrangement can fetch you good money if you get high-end clients in areas such Ikoyi,V.I, Lekki, Ikeja G.R.A, etc.

10.            FISH FARMING: If you have been contemplating on a small business and haven’t heard about fish farming, then you are missing something. Over the years, quite a few people have made fortunes from fish farming; as the population is swelling and protein needs are far outstripping the available supply, fish meal is always a winner if done well. Fish farming is a sure bet business if you put the right structures in place. More and more people like fish due to its low cholesterol protein, All you need do is to get a space, buy or construct tanks, buy finger lings for between N10 to N20 and feed them for 4 to 6 months, then sell from between N1500 to N2000 depending on weight and size. But you need to have a basic knowledge of fish farming to start this.

11.                     WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT: Experience, training or licensing may be needed. Many courses exist (many of which, logically, are offered online) where you can learn the language of website creation and can learn about the details, like how to set up shopping cart systems, security concerns, etc. But lately we have seen ready tools on some hosting site like Godaddy, Bluehost, Wordpress, ipage, simplesite and so on; many of these hosting sites have ready tools for even the newbie in web design. You will, of course, need to learn about each company you want to design for. What is the atmosphere of the company that you need to reflect in the website design--is it wild and contemporary, meaning brilliant colors and fun graphics? Or will more classic colors like black, navy blue and maroon is more appropriate? Many small businesses in Nigeria does not have a web presence, even the bigger corporations only possess a web banner or billboard, you can propose an interactive website to small businesses at a cheaper rate of say N10k or more and start building your client lists from there. This business requires little or no capital to start.

12.            DAY CARE: If you are the type that naturally loves kids around, this is an opportunity for you to tap into. Perhaps you have children of your own and the idea of taking care of a few more for part of the day appeals to you. Child-care needs continue to soar in this part of the world as the task of professional career seems to be more demanding. Many people prefer the option of their child being cared for in a home environment while they are at work, opposed to a more institutional-like setting. These things mean that a home based childcare business can get off and running immediately. If you are living in at least a 3bedroom apartment and there is an extra room unoccupied, please don’t let rat and cockroach take advantage of the extra rooms in your house, talk to friends in the neighborhood who might need such services, with a simple handbills and short message advert it will surely pay to have kids around.

13.            GIFT BASKET/PACKAGING SERVICE: Finding a niche is the best way to start out in the gift basket business.  If you had flare for gifts and souvenirs why don’t you look for clients who you could put together baskets that hold the things that people with this interest would like too! You can create a product that a gift basket could be built around, I saw a fruit basket designed by First Bank Plc presented to a customer at Alausa secretariat Ikeja Lagos, it was a piece of creativity as everybody was taking snapshot of it. With a capital of N50k-N100k, you can start this business. Marketing your gift basket service is not an arduous task, just talk to friends, families, congregational friends and colleagues, and if you have a little budget for advert and proposal it’s all well and good for publicity.

14.            BEAUTY SALON/HAIRSTYLIST: Hairstyling is a popular business that can be quite lucrative. Generally, with the trend in fashion statements nowadays, hairstylists are usually busy. If you already have your apprenticeship training and experience, and loads of friends especially ladies under your belt, you probably have prospects that will follow you right home without any hesitation. You can have a unisex salon under one roof, get some boys and girls from cotonou, they are very good in weaving and braids, place them on salary or commission and your life will not remain the same!

15.             MUSIC LESSONS:  Some people are naturally gifted in music and sound instruments, either as a result of being in the choir, or family background or personal interest in music and sound could be an inspiration. You want to stick to the instrument(s) you know, but you may be skilled enough a musician to offer lessons on different instruments, or those in a particular class, e.g., stringed or woodwind. You can decide to take on individuals or classes, depending on space and availability of instruments. Public/private schools are continually reducing their commitment to art and music classes for students, so you can try to work with the public school system to supplement their efforts in those areas. I have a friend, Adeshina, he has been taking advantage of his deep knowledge of the musical instruments to make extra income way back school days, even as a comfortable person today, he still plays organ for his church AVM in GRA and private personalities when occasion demands. Here, your
hidden talent could be your buried treasure.    
16. PHOTOGRAPHER: Previous experience and formal training may not be needed to venture into this line of business as there are ready tools available in the market to perform different operations such as editing, printing, framing, styling, Photoshop software, etc. Making money as a photographer can be done in a number of different ways. You can specialize in one area, the most common being weddings and social functions. All you require is a professional camera, a mobile printing device and your call cards, visit any social function dressed as corporate as possible so as not to be bounced by the security guys, take one or two snapshot of guests most especially ladies, quickly find a safe place to plug your printer and extra batteries for charging, before the show wound up, look for people you have snapped and give to them at N100 or more, you can make as much as N20K-N50K at a particular event. There are other niches you can explore for photography: portraits of people and their pets, families and homes; photographs of holiday events, birthday parties or model photo shoots, film makers, students, religious gatherings, etc. The possibilities are endless and the capital to invest is not a cut-throat.

17. WEDDING PLANNER: Before I got married I visited a wedding planner shop on Aromire street Ikeja and I was impressed at how much          people pay for the services of a wedding planner, anyway I didn’t make use        of their service but I learn one or two thing from them which helped in making my wedding event a success. However, the rich and busy type of people in the society doesn’t really have all the time going to the market to shop for this and that, they prefer to give the service to a wedding planner. You will need to be up-to-date on wedding trends and fads, dress styles, color trends--almost everything under the sun! Offer your customers an ala carte menu of services, from helping pick flowers, the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses to picking the venue and hiring the caterer. Before you open your business, shop at all the wedding shops, and even pretend you are a bride-to-be to see what kind of service the wedding gown shop provides and how they treat potential customers. You need to know every detail of the business to give the accurate impression that you are the go-to person for anyone planning a wedding. For you to succeed in this line of business, I advise you to just do one perfect wedding job and others will keep coming like a virus.

18. COMPUTER TRAINING: If you have a basic knowledge in computer training and applications you are on your way to becoming a teacher to many people. It will amaze you to know that only about 20% of Nigerian population is actually computer literate. My brother once offered to train people for free on Sundays after lecture at NASFAT in Ipaja Lagos; he confessed that there was a large turnout, even the working class people attended. You can offer training in desktop computers and mini computers such as laptops, palmtops, I-pad and tablets. You could probably make a living helping seniors learn how to use the internet and e-mail to keep in touch with their loved ones, send applications, online exams/TEST, etc. Make the training as much fun as possible; people do not want to know all the details about what makes a computer work. If you overload them with information from the beginning by explaining bits, bytes, and megapixels, they will stick to their paper and pencil forever. You can start this venture with fairly used computers which you will find scattered all over Computer village in Ikeja Lagos. Talk to people in your neighborhood by printing an advert for a free computer lesson, get their database and give those basic trainings afterward and
introduce more complex ones.
19. ELECTRIC FENCE WIRE INSTALLATIONS: Fences are everywhere and they also add beauty to the structures and buildings in the society. The quest to protect from external invasion, burglary, theft and   encroachment has necessitated the need for a more technical way of protection. The electric fence wire is really the vogue now, and the training is not hard to comprehend. Just undergo the training first and the materials for executing your job abound everywhere with installation guide and manuals. The start-up cost is basically the training fee and tools like cutting tools, hand gloves, measuring tapes, plum, etc.

20. GRAPHIC DESIGN: One major landmark about the computer is, you could probably become a professional in any field by accident. Graphic design is one of the “Experts by Accident” job am talking about. At least with the little time I have spent on the computer in the last 2 years, I can create a simple design for anything I want to do. Despite the proliferation of the internet, print media is still relevant to the foreseeable future! Fliers, newsletters, magazines, information sheets, letters and advertisements are just a few of the type of print media that business outfit hires Graphic Artist to create for them. Websites and online advertising need graphic design services as well. Even if your expertise is only in design, offer the works for potential clients, friends, and small businesses. So many softwares abound in the market to help you through. I know of a guy who designed my wedding invitation cards, his business name is KUKUGRAFIX, as a student, he does good graphic jobs using just his laptop and pay-as-you-go internet connection.

21.INTERIOR DECORATION: Market your talents to building contractors. People purchasing new homes can often be overwhelmed with the choices and possibilities in home decoration. Design some questionnaires for each major element and each major room in the house. Find out how the homeowner will use the home--are there children? Pets?  How will each room be used? Suggest color separations for the painting of the rooms, try and explore the use of wallpapers in room areas where traffic is high. Get hold of catalogs showing architectural masterpiece, develop an interior model that suits your clients' budget, give them options and freedom to express their views on what you intend to do. Referral will definitely come your way if you get it right. This business does not really requires much capital, with a good marketing skill and creativity you will succeed.

22.            RECHARGE CARD PRINTING: If you have not heard of recharge card business before, perhaps you are still living in the cave of KUVUKI land. A recent study shows that the average monthly money spent on voice and data in Nigeria amounts to N445Billion. Even the GSM companies attest to the fact that Nigeria is a Goldmine when it comes to Telecoms business. You can actually start with capital as low as N10k and make a profit of N2k if you do your networking well. There are 3 categories of recharge card business anyway, you could either be a Retailer, wholesaler or Dealer. Whichever category you chose, it’s a good venture because as long as people still keeps subscribing and making phone calls you will never be out of business, also it is not a seasonal business.

23.            BUSINESS PLAN SERVICES: Just this month alone I have received an Offer to develop a business plan for five clients in the areas of NYLON BUSINESS, ICE BLOCK MAKING, CAR WASH BUSINESS; EVENT CENTER and TRAVELS AND TOUR PACKAGES. At least, I receive an incentive of N100K alone on the NYLON BUSINESS PLAN. Choose an area of business you have expertise on, include a market research on it, and write the business plan narrative and the financial statements. Plan your fee around the main one which the client will want, and offer the others as add-on services. You can give clients an electronic file and allow them to take it from there, or you can keep the business plan on file and offer the service of fine-tuning it whenever necessary. Have business plan samples to show clients--and make sure to include your own!.You can also start with little or no capital as Google is always your friend on research.

24.            A CYBER CAFE/BUSINESS CENTER: Prior to the era of  deregulating the telecommunication sector, the cybercafé cafe or business centers used to be the only place ordinary people could visit to carry out some task such as checking/sending emails, Fax, Internet calls(VOIP),Typing of documents, scanning, binding, graphic works, etc. But now, most of these tasks could be done in the comfort of your house, however, due to the economic growth and the competitive nature of modern day business the Cybercafé/business center had refused to go into oblivion. The fact remains that in a business center outfit, you could basically perform all I.T related functions at a glance and with precision. Therefore, it is not going to be a wild goose chase venturing into this line of business as it can be undertaken by anyone. I have a complete business plan for anyone who wishes to go into this line of business. You can start with as little as N200K-N500K.

25.            FOOTBALL VIEWING CENTER: In the contemporary African setting, having a satellite dish system at home used to be a luxury but with the emergence of DSTV, GOTV, STARTIMES, MYTV and other free-to air satellite stations, watching foreign Television programs has never eluded the Nigerian viewers again. Soccer being a unifying sport has created an avenue for prospect in viewing centers, people love to watch football where they could shout, argue and make fun or jests of other club supporters. Although it is not an everyday business but the weekly income from viewing center could take care of the basic necessities required in the family, all you need is space that can accommodate up to 50 viewers, get a DSTV Dish and decoder, set of TVs and speaker unit for public attention. You can add refreshments such as biscuits, gala, soft drinks to balance the equation. You can start with as low as N200K-N500K capital.

26.             SECOND HAND MATERIALS : Second-hand materials either from abroad or locally sourced can often be bought cheaply at private sale, from markets and side-street secondhand market like GATA NKOWA in Abule-Egba Lagos, Lawanson, Computer Village, Vespa market, Alaba Market, ASPAMDA, etc. and through classified advertisements in E-commerce website such as OLX, TRADESTABLE, NAIRALAND, etc. The goods/items can be displayed on free advert platforms, it could also be displayed in a Vehicle whether stationary or moving-across-town, the goods usually comes with lower price value compared to brand new ones. You can start this business with a little capital such as N10,000 or less.

27.             PROOFREADING: A lot of publishing houses, independent writers seek the service of proof readers; some of them will prefer the service of part-time proofreaders since they cannot afford to pay the monthly salary of full-time proof readers. Make sure you have lists of script-writers, Article writers, story-book writers for children in your database, and get in touch with publishing houses; it is important that you advertise your service in a local newspaper, on social media, in an electronic medium, etc. All you need to get started is your skill in proofreading scripts.
28.             A SMALL POULTRY: Poultry is a business you can start from your backyard with 50 to 500 bird, which cost between N10, 000, to N100,000 depending on cash at hand, these amounts include cost of bird, the pen, feed and medication, Get somebody who is experienced to help  you set up the pen. You can source woods directly from sawmill to lower the cost. Waste management in poultry is very vital, if not properly handled it will affect the growth, production, and bird performance whatever aspect of poultry you intend to go into is profitable. A single bird can give you an average of 730 eggs within 2years before you sell it off for say N500 or N600. Target your harvest towards the festive periods such as Easter, EID-il-Kabir, Eid-il-Fitri, and Christmas and New Year celebrations.

29.            CANDLE STICKS PRODUCTION: With erratic power supply in the country, there is no doubt that production of candlestick is a money-spinner. A sizable group of Nigerians still relies solely on candle sticks to battle the erratic power supply. With N10, 000 you can have a candle mold, which produces 16 candle sticks at a time and go about 50 times a day translating into 800 per day. This is a situation when you are starting with N20, 000-25,000, to produce the 16 pieces does not take you more than 10 minutes; throw in another wax, which you must have melted. While the previous one congeals and go on and on. So instead of starting with N100,000 - N200, 000, you can actually start with N25, 000.
The startup requirements are mold, which cost N10,000, wax N1,000, Thread N1,000, heart source N600, Packaging Nylons N1,500, Ceiling Machine N2,000 and logistics.
30.            SNAIL FARMING: Snail meat has been generally affirmed as a very safe and nutritious delicacy. In these days of increased coronary implications and other health issues, snail –producers are certain to hit it big because many people are shunning away from beef or red meat. It is also pleasing to note that snail production venture could be kick-started with a little initial capital of N15,000K. The best period to commence snail rearing is the raining season however if you have access to borehole or nearness to swampy environment, snail can be reared anytime of the year. You can get these snails from the market throughout the country, or from snail farmers. Snails prices depends on the sizes,  the bigger ones are sold for between N1, 500-N3, 500 per bunch. It is better to buy the big ones because they can hatch after about 35- 45 days. About N15, 000 should get a new entrant started in the businesses. Visit Hotels, eateries, bukkateria, corporate offices, schools, catering schools, Government offices, etc and advertise your produce through pamphlets,handbills,fliers,etc.

31.            ESATE MANAGER: Owners of apartments and houses are most often willing to pay 5% of the rent as commission to agent who will collect monthly rents, place income in the bank, superintend maintenance and show people over vacant flats. Some people make good income from this arrangement, managing several blocks of serviced apartments/flats in private and commercial areas such as Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria-Island, Ikeja GRA, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Lagos-Island,etc. You can leverage on referrals, family and friends who have properties but doesn't have the time managing the estate themselves. You also do not need to have any capital to start this venture.
32.            PLANTAIN CHIPS: Plantain chips are probably the fastest moving consumer goods in Nigeria after Bottle water and Sachet pure-water. After removing the skin/peels, the unripe or ripe plantain fruit can be sliced/diced (1 or 2 mm thick) and fried in oil to produce chips, packed in polythene and bagged for distribution. If the chips are made from sweeter fruits, they are cut vertically to create a variation know as plantain strips. Just make sure you put your label which will have your contact address, phone numbers, name of your venture. The more you produce the more money you make, because majority of Nigerians love plantain chips. This business can be kick-started with N10,000.
33.            START AN AQUARIUM BUSINESS: An aquarium business is a great backyard-based business idea. Two common directions taken by people here are fish breeding and aquarium maintenance services. An aquarium business is not just a skill-based business. It requires a decent investment in equipment because most people who want to buy an aquarium will want choices. You need to present to the client various options such as a small, round or rectangular aquarium that has a corner of a room or a small aquarium that can be fitted into the wall, and others. You can charge as much as N20, 000 to N100, 000. Pick an idea now, execute your plan, and earn money with a business you love. You can liaise with furniture showrooms, horticulturists, landscapers, Interior Decorators, Building contractors, etc about your service. With an initial set-up cost of N100,000K, you will never regret venturing into an Aquarium business.

34.            SPECIAL EVENTS/PARTY ORGANIZER: Pubs are more frequently offering entertainment these days, but the Owners don’t always have the time or inclination to organize it. So, your business idea is this.  Find an attractive pub or event arena, and offer to organize a weekly party or live shows such as comedy, Talent hunt, Exhibitions, etc. The arrangement would be that you organize the show and charge admission/gate fee.  The Owner of the outlet rents you the space/hall/ground/facilities for either a fee or for free, but he keeps all the profits from the extra food and drink sold. Once the agreement is made, the work is easy.  Provide music, etc, perhaps by a good DJ. Promote the event as much as you have the capacity and have tickets sold. The facility owner would, no doubt, be happy with the extra takings. A friend of mine once packaged a VALENTINE GROOVE in Feb 2015 already, the facility owner agreed to give out his Hall out for free, my friend also arranged all upcoming artiste in the environ to come showcase their talents, different service provider like ASUN BERBEQUE,FISH BERBEQUE, SMALL CHOPS, SHAWARMA, POPCORN, ICE-CREAM Vendors volunteered to take part in the publicity for the show. It therefore means that my friend was able to organize this show with next to nothing in terms of capital. This event could be a regular show or seasonal, and it could also be a one-off at very little risk to see how it goes. It undoubtedly works because it is merely a way of sub-contracting something out to the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
35.            CAMPUS/SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a good idea for anyone with an interest in photography, or someone who knows someone interested in photography. Quite simply, campus/school photographers are still very popular till date. As a part time business, you can offer to do it cheaper than the regular Professional photographers reason being that many students will want to keep memories of their campus activities. Contact schools, both private and Government owned in your area of proximity and put your proposition to the Directorate of Student Affairs. Once you registered with the School management with an intent to operate in the school, you will be required to pay some fees and complete an application form as an operator of such business in the school premises. Usually students enjoy as much as 50% discount as against what is obtainable outside campus. Through repeated sales and turnover, you can graduate to real professional photographer whereby you apply for bigger jobs outside. You can equally apply to private Crèche, Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools for an arrangement to be their school photographer once there is need for such. Luckily, if you have the knack for photography, this is a sure bet business, even without capital to invest in professional cameras you can rent or borrow.
36.            VIDEO COVERAGE SERVICE: Offering a video coverage for special occasions is a profitable venture. Many young brides lately want a living memento of
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