The Post Covid-19 Drama: Why You Should Be Prepared!

I am still your friend and brother on this online street and I have decided to go into a long research to cook up something for us as we approach the end of a long lockdown (anytime the lockdown is lifted for full time economic operations) worldwide due to the outbreak of the dreaded Covid-19 infections that had killed hundreds of thousands worldwide and still killing. One question that readily comes to minds of aspiring, budding and established entrepreneurs that are looking up to what they can do or had been one way or the other badly affected by this lockdown in the course of this Covid-19 is, "how do I survive in this business or how do I survive all over again as a result of my losses"? I tell you what, you are not alone on this, even leadership of countries are thinking that way right now. You wondered why? It is a moment of uncertainties due to the lack of buying and selling different countries of the world engaged in during international trade. This economic challenges currently plaguing the world had a huge toll and negative effects that had further affected countries of the world and their businesses being run by individuals killing the business of many and running it aground and when I say "businesses" here, my emphasis is on "small and medium scale enterprises" which are the driving forces of economies of countries worldwide. 

Before I move further, let me digress a little bit and talk on something very important to us as humans, and that thing is the four letter word called, TIME. I will say TIME is a period of moment considered as a resource under your control and sufficient to achieve something. It is a measure of how we plan our days, weeks, months and years in order to achieve something concrete and worthwhile for ourselves as individuals. TIME as they say once lost can never be regained but you must prepare for each day as a brand new TIME offers you to rewrite your ugly pasts or lost times wasted due to frivolous activities. This is the picture I am trying to paint before us, looking back at the time you put into that business you keep investing on and yet brought you nothing you will agree with me that such time had been lost and rather than mourning over your losses why not consider these tips on TIME Management; 

Time Management Tips by Strive Masiyiwa

Look at everything you need to do, and put each task in one of the four options;

1.  Important but not urgent: Decide when you will do it.
2. Urgent and important: Do it immediately.
3. Not important and not urgent: Do it later.
4. Urgent but not important: Delegate it to someone else.

What do you think? (This is from the "Eisenhower Matrix" named after a US President 50+ years ago). In this case, if you are stuck with option 1, "Important but not urgent", you  are to decide on the appropriate time to start this task so as to stand a chance to gain from it lest you end up achieving nothing from it and even wasting your precious time. Talking about option 2, "Urgent and important", do not hesitate on procrastinating on this type of task because the time to embark on this inner pull to launch is now. Just take a plunge and go for it. Option 3, "Not important and not urgent", you are not expected to waste your time on this because it will only kill your time and money put into it, avoid it immediately and shelf it till another time that will be convenient to embark on it because it is not what you need now. The last one here is option 4, "Urgent but not important", yes it is urgent but within you it is clear to you that it is not the need of the hour kindly avoid wasting precious time on it and pass it to an associate or subordinate to finish it for you so as to save your time for something more fruitful and beneficial.

Over the ages, it has become an established maxim and indeed it is the truth (especially for entrepreneurs) that, "Time Is Money, Spend It Wisely!" 

Moving away from the Time Management topic and back to our discussions on this research work, let me state it clearly that the country that will be used as our case study here is Nigeria and the reason is not far-fetched, it is our country of inheritance with great potentials for anybody that is ready to start all over again or build on what he or she already had on ground. At the moment, the urgent situation we found ourselves in is a precarious one and that will take a calculated and careful approach to stem the tide towards our favour. After the lockdown, you must understand that many would have been relieved of their jobs and already the over-bloated labour market is already saturated let alone the addition of "new entrants" who just recently lost their jobs. The pressure and unnecessary rat race for survival resumes and the pressure keeps mounting and here you are realising that your country is even borrowing for survival and depending on grants to execute some of its projects which means, you are the one to fend for yourself so this is why these "Post Covid-19 selected Businesses" well researched on are presented for your perusal so that you can quickly adjust to what the dictates of the business world is saying and tunes of the hymns it is singing.


19 Businesses You Can Start With N80,000 - N200,000!

I have decided to pen down these businesses that require moderate capital/funds to start with from the scratch and with your focus coupled with persistence you are going to soar on the long run. Let's consider them below;

1. Bedsheet/Beddings Production:

All you need here is to pay a visit to Lagos Island (especially the popular Balogun Market) or Oshodi or Yaba markets where they sell bulk materials, pick good designs and I tell you the guys who will sew it for you are just within the same market. In this type of business, it is better you are a tailor with your necessary tools and also master the art of measurement, cutting and designs so as to bring your creativity to this business.

2. Shirt and Trousers (Pants) Production:

This is one business that requires your skills in tailoring or better still your expertise in being able to market clothing materials. There are tailors in Lagos Island or better learn the skill, it will save you all the heartbreaks imaginable. Taiwo Street in Lagos Island is where you should be. Also if you are from the Eastern part, a visit to Aba is your surest bet, those guys are gifted to design imitations of Versace, Moschino, Senator Shirts, Suits, etc of this world to your satisfaction. Igbo Kwenu!!! Yaaa!!! The materials for shirts and trousers (pants) range from N700 – N1,000 per yard, sew for N1,500/N2,000  Sell for N5,000 - N7,000 or beyond based on your market coverage.

3. Boxers:

A trip to Aba Market is your best bet, the cost of production of boxers ranges from as low as N100to N150 per pair, all you need to do after sewing is to package it in 3s, and market them properly to designated markets. Market on your social media pages by telling your friends on twitter to Retweets your posts and adverts with quality pictures to attract larger audiences. Open an Instagram and Facebook pages too for effective marketing with quality pictures of your products.  A 3s pack boxers sell for N1,500-N2,000 sell yours for N1,200 to N1,500 and gradually grow your business.

4. E-Payments and POS Business:

You can a get POS machine from your Bank, and activate online banking: If you live in a place where banks aren’t much you can handle e-payments for people and make your small change. I once paid someone N200 to withdraw N10,000 at Kurudu Barracks, Abuja. ATM queues can be crazy and time consuming most times.

5. Mobile and Electronic Accessories:

Mobile and electronic Accessories such as Pouches, Chargers, USB cables, HDMI cables, earphones and more, can be sourced on Alibaba, Ali Express, Deal Extreme, etc. The more you buy the lower the price. And they are light so shipping won’t be a burden. Sell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Jumia and co.

6. Popcorn:

We all know this snack well and how refreshing it is especially when we visit the movies! We buy them almost every time and some people blend it with peanuts or groundnuts for their body nourishments. Bags of corn can be bought at the popular  Mile 12 market in Lagos, branded nylon, sugar, salt & butter are the remaining items you need. The beauty of this is when properly made, its aroma will attract its customers. Manual sealing machine  is around N7,000/N9,000; Popcorn Machine is around N60,000 to N65,000 on Jiji or Jumia. Popcorn can be served anywhere. It costs less than N40 to make a pack of popcorn

7. Branding – Sales and Customising:

Sport lovers football team supporters generally always want to show how much they love their teams. Supporters go crazy on branded jerseys with the names of their sport heros boldly and neatly printed on their jerseys. You may want to consider this type of business too. A visit to Balogun Market at Lagos Island or Oshodi Market can be of help to those of us at Lagos while Abuja residents can consider paying a visit to Neighbourhood market at Wuse.

8. Snail Farming:

Snail farming in Nigeria is even more popular, due to its relatively cheap cost of startup and If you market your products well, your business will thrive. This is a business you can start from your backyard. Bear it  in mind that snails take almost a year to mature so "Patience is Key" because you will be shocked that a big snail goes for almost N400 and even more in some cases!

9. Fairly Used Goods:

Fairly used goods such as Jeans, Tops, t-shirts, shoes etc. They can be sourced at Badagry, even Cotonou, however due to the closure of our borders with Cotonou, I will suggest you stick with Badagry or if you are staying up North you might want to consider Borno or Adamawa State.  N100,000 will get you around 4 bales of fairly used goods but you can select and mix them. Wash them and pack neatly. Marketing is all it takes, you’ll sell and see your money multiplying gradually if you persist.

10. Cleaning Services:

Some people find it hard to clean their apartments because they are busy from Monday to Friday and Saturday they have engagements and on Sundays all they wanna do is rest. Your tools won’t cost you up to N20,000 and you can clean 6 apartments a weekend.

11. Home Cooking and Delivery:

You can cook a variety of meals well and apply customer services. People will pay good money for your services, you can run this from home. You must always factor in neatness and prompt responses to calls to deliver the foods to your respective clients.

12. Raw Food Supply:

It is common knowledge that foods (raw) are more expensive in cities than in rural areas, therefore it is important you consider going into this lucrative but laborious business. A budget of N200,000 investments in plantain, yam, maize and palm oil business from villages in Ondo State (Idanre, Akure, Okitipupa, Ikare remote villages), Kwara (Jebba, Eye nkorin interiors) and Kogi hinterlands can give you a turnover of over N700,000 per trip.

13. Cakes and Confectionery:

This is one business that always comes to play, people celebrate, and bakers are always consulted. It is not too expensive to begin with but you must go through training first to master the needed strategy and skills required for optimal sales. When you have that passion for this type of business, the sky is your limit.

14. Bead Making:

I’m not sure there’s really much to say here. All you need is training, passion, creativity, unique designs and styles, then adequate marketing. You really don't need too much funds  to start this, something in the range of N80,000 to N90,000 should be alright for you.

15. Home Service Hair Treatments and Barbing Services:

This is another profitable small-scale business. The beautiful thing about this is you bring your services to your clients for an extra token above regular. Your services ranges from hair barbing, hair dyeing, hair weave on, washing and plaiting. The starting capital to get the equipment is very minimal and I’m sure you know we have rechargeable clippers at affordable prices.

16. Tutorial Classes:

No matter your age, this is another well-paying job, either as part-time or full-time. Many families are willing to spend what it takes for their children’s success and there’s one subject you’re well versed at. Just close that gap by meeting the needs of these ones for a fee.

17. Production Of Zobo, Smoothies, cocktail, small chops, cupcakes and chinchin:

You will agree with me that the importance of these refreshing items can't be ruled out. You can render these services with N100,000 startup capital and proper marketing, branding and packaging.

18. Production of Hand-Made cards:

Do you know people pay good money for these things made of paper and strawboard. This is one business you can start with less than N100,000 my young friends! I will advise those who are gifted with calligraphy skills (beautiful handwriting) and graphic artists to consider going into this business. However, it is not limited to these set of professionals those who love cutting cardboards for special designs either as wall designs for their schools, churches etc should also take the plunge.

19. Multi Level Marketing:

I know many of you will be like oh noooo, I hate this type of business....... but hold on for few seconds let me break things down for you, we all have our areas of specialisation in life just pick yours and act on them. Forever Living Products, Longrich Products are true Food Supplements that works wonders in the lives of people around. I have heard testimonies on how people who are trapped down by terminal diseases likes Cancer, HIV, Diabetes Type2 etc coming back to life to give testimonies taking any of these food supplements. The financial gain aspect is what I want you to see here, with your N100,000 you can join this business of saving lives while making cool cash (yes you heard me right cool and big cash) provided on how you can effectively gather a vibrant network of like minds that can tag along with you. Attend their seminars (they are all around your neighbourhood) and get trained and mentored for effective performance as you launch. The business has a way of paying you back as you mentor others and help those under terrible health conditions to gain their healths back. People have given testimonies on how they are able to make good money within weeks of joining the business, it is all about perception. Trust me, you can do it!

Below is what I called the BCRC (benefits, challenges, remedy and budget) factors you must consider in order to scale the hurdles these businesses might bring your way.

Benefits: You don't need to raise money to rent a shop in order to sell or attract your customers to buy from you as your customers can be serviced in their respective homes and offices by you.
Challenges: Raising cash on your own especially when you can't afford one.
Remedy: Prepare a simple business plan with well displayed annotated points on projected cash inflow and outflow and profits margins that will convince your targeted individuals or institutions to offer you loans.
Budget: Between N80,000 to N200,000

Friends, between N80,000 to N200,000 can do a lot!

To those who are complaining of, "where do I get this money to start?" just relax and look at the type of business you can do out of the 19 listed above and design business plans (templates) on investment, expenses and returns then imagine the profits you stand to gain. You can get your friends to design the business plans or templates on your behalf and approach that your rich uncle, aunt, friend, mentor, guardian, pastor etc for supports. Trust me, if you can speak convincingly quoting your business plans to him or her, their is every likelihood you will be favourably considered.

Still Confused? You can reach me on 09085894826 (Whatsapp only) or follow me on Twitter @tomakinta for effective mentorship! 

Truth is there are so much one can do with very little, it takes persistence, focus, interest and above all hard work. We can’t all be rich but we all shouldn’t be poor. The year is still young and you can still make that "hay while the sun shines"! .

Thanks For Taking Your Precious Time To Read Through.

May God Bless All Our Endeavours!!!


Seun, Jarus, Dominique, Lalaaticlala

Well-done. I will send you a chat

Flakky26:
Well-done. I will send you a chat

You are welcome Flakky I will be expecting that