Often times businesses in Nigeria fail to start or stay small because of the challenges around but not limited to launching, running operations in this expensive economy, finding the right people, or even supply chain management. The truth is this are real challenges and you most of the time need lots of money to overcome one and all of the different challenges not limited to the ones listed.

There are a couple of solutions around this. I will list a few here and drop a contact email for those interested in reach out for more information.

1. Leverage partnerships - If you have an idea to start a business without the needed resources to see it past a few milestones, then feel free to seek help/support in terms of partnerships with those around you with a skill or resources you do not have. The truth is owning 100% of nothing is worse than owning 10% of something. Leverage networks, leverage systems, leverage distribution channels.

2. Re-define your audience - Yes, you already had an audience for the idea so you are probably thinking, why re-define? The truth is you thought big picture e.g. my idea is relevant to Lagos and not Abuja, good. But you don't have the systems or resources to get to the entire Lagos market. Pick a "street" or small community that can help you magnify your business to the next street. (You get what I mean)

3. Hire a "consultant" - This seems like an outrageous idea considering consulting businesses are "expensive" and one of the challenges you are facing is actually funds. Now think about it again, a consultant could be a "person" knowledgeable in the areas you are about to explore. While there are consulting firms that would charge a arm and a leg or maybe not even talk to you because your business has been sized up, there are some that offer pocket friendly packages to support businesses like yours and thrive on the volume for sustenance. The costs here could be the same as hiring a full time staff for strategy or business development but only less considering the relationship with consultants are for limited/defined time periods.

Generally, I work with a firm that seeks to support small businesses to scale or ideas to reality and we would love to help your business grow. You can reach out by sending an email to hello(at)axelsia(dot)com.
Always available to spare time for a chat.

Thanks for reading.