lordhugo:


Hello, the shelf life for most tomatoes is usually 2weeks...not 3 days

Just take it...

Any further arguments will be torn to shreds with hard facts.

barnabas91:

bro if you are in ilorin presently, and u are an entreprenuer, we can team up together, i have a biz idea that can fetch us real money here in ilorin, what we need is marketing. Giv me ur number, lets meet and talk better. That is, if u are not scared.
Am a student of unilorin, and well known by many.

Ymodulus:

Hey Nairalanders,

As usual i have always enjoyed sharing my business soujourn all through out the years. And as several people here who know me, i do not believe in running a permanent business all through, i beling to the warren Buffet Business school of thought which believes that your business ideas and moves should be adaptable  to CHANGE.


Today am here to share my story on my quest for Gold. With much detailing to trial and error and success.

My story will be shared in the following line-up.


- The Idea
- The .....

cutelover19:

hi sir ymodulus, I heard from nomate Jerry that you were in town for the searchFM auditions but he couldn't get your number across to me to arrange a meeting. kindly contact me on chimeziemichael21@gmail.com

cutelover19:

hi sir ymodulus, I heard from nomate Jerry that you were in town for the searchFM auditions but he couldn't get your number across to me to arrange a meeting. kindly contact me on chimeziemichael21@gmail.com

Emmayur:


Now i know where i know him... i was standing with him and Dave Obada yesterday. ... He even did a bank transfer for me. He mentioned initialize's name and i almost asked him if it was the initialize of nairaland.com he was talking about.

This world is a freaking small place.

Emmayur:


Now i know where i know him... i was standing with him and Dave Obada yesterday. ... He even did a bank transfer for me. He mentioned initialize's name and i almost asked him if it was the initialize of nairaland.com he was talking about.

This world is a freaking small place.

Ymodulus:

Hey Nairalanders,

As usual i have always enjoyed sharing my business soujourn all through out the years. And as several people here who know me, i do not believe in running a permanent business all through, i beling to the warren Buffet Business school of thought which believes that your business ideas and moves should be adaptable  to CHANGE.


Today am here to share my story on my quest for Gold. With much detailing to trial and error and success.

My story will be shared in the following line-up.


- The Idea
- The .....

Ymodulus:

[size=14pt]THE IDEA[/size]

Ater several thought of going into a new business which

Half way  into the month of April, i have been reading wide and far ( i read the papers daily), and i noticed that that the product TOMATOES has been on the High Side due to scarcity

- Even celebrities r complaining:
 https://www.nairaland.com/3090036/waje-bemoans-high-cost-tomatoes
- Lagosians complaining: https://www.nairaland.com/3091570/lagosians-groan-prices-tomatoes-skyrocket#45398311



 This is in Contrast to early Febraury this year when the price of tomatoes was as low as N300 / Baskets due to a Glut in the market. You can read here for more Information as to that date ( https://www.nairaland.com/2939685/tomato-glut-hits-katsina-markets ).

Having taken note of this development, i headed my way for the popular Mile12 -Ketu Market in Lagos state.

Luther0luther:

Which throws up more questions.

10 million naira transfers, to whom?He just told us he disguised his Nigerianess to get better bargains, so I assume his sellers are Cameroonians. That's an international transfer. We both know how that works and even the fastest takes 3 business working days and has lots of restrictions. Transfer just 1 million as an individual alone and your name would be flagged by EFCC. It is part of the anti money laundering act.


Also we have to understand most of these sellers are illiterate and unbanked and if you have ever been to any large agricultural market. It is a purely cash to goods business. Also, you can buy in bulk but there's a limit to the bulk buying. Just one person can never have 7000 baskets. You may have to pick 400 here, 300 there, 1000 from another. Which throws the hypothesis of transferring in bulk to one single person out of the window. So how did he pay them? Carried 56 or 70 million around?
Who was he transferring to then?

Also the tale about him sending J5s without escorts just opened his yansh. Yeah some Hausa biz men maybe trustworthy but you would be damned to send your goods without a motor boy whom you know from your side to follow them. The share scale of logistics involved would be amazing to pull off. It would be a nightmare .

Also you have to understand you pay duties on products to and fro Nigeria. Cameroon is not jus adamawa that you stroll over and they just allow you take produce out like that.

There are so many loopholes in his story that anyone that scratches the surface would know this is impossible and more like fairytale.

I guess he would have his audience who believe all these stories though, since most of his followers are just out of school or naive undergraduates who have no idea whatsoever.


Oga,I can corroborate the dude's account to some extent.A cousin of mine ventured into this business a few months ago,that's before the infestation on tomatoes that has elicited this current scarcity.Tthe trip was ill fated,as they met with highway robbers and the truck conveying the goods broke down.I'll spare you all the details but what I seek to clarify is this : He told me that one can make purchase for these items,and have them delivered to (Lagos in his case) without following the driver.Its a setup built on trust and understanding.In Nigeria? yeah,strange but true.

Its either you're a very myopic,straight-forward,likes-to-follow-conventional-rules type of person,who doesn't know or believe in cutting corners,likes to play safe,by the rules(which is good only you stay grounded)or maybe you're just a hater with pull-him-down mentality driving your thoughts and actions.I don't know which category you fall into,but I want you to know that rules and regulations,conformity,and all that archetypal load of bullocks are made by the elite for the poor and oppressed to keep them in servitude and captivity. How many successful businesses in Nigeria follow these rules and stay successful? Case in point is what's happening with banks and their disbursement of CBN allotted forex ,and I could go on and on.

I feel like saying more but there's no point.If you need a breakthrough in life or business,you have got to break rules! I salute the guts of the thread owner,a very young fellow at that(no disrespect,but his friend is just not impressive enough). He's done what every celebrity entrepreneur in this country and the world over would've done and or is doing.

So my guy,continue looking for loopholes,while the thread owner is turning his money over serially.

sulaiboy20:
ymodulus .. please where can I get the truck you use to transport those goods...

Ymodulus:
[size=14pt]Success[/size]

Every Business idea needs three things to run succesfully- Idea, Funds and Courage

1. IDEA: I had the idea, i saw the need for tomatoes, i saw a vacuum, i then searched for s solution.

2. FUNDS
Having a business  Idea is 1 Thing, having capital to run all your idea is another.
a. Ymodulus- I did the business self sponsored. Though added Close Friend's money. I personly bought a total of 6,556 Baskets of Tomatoes. These were mine.
b. IzikJon:  got 700Baskets of Tomatoes.

3. COURAGE:
Several people have funds but dont have the courage to try. It wasnt new to me. I didnt get to where i was without risking. i have lost and gain. Its Life.

4. PROFIT:
I Ymodulus personally love to risk all in business so i can rise fast. I always love to set a high target that can make me better than my mate. I had a mindset to hit a total profit of 10Million in a 2-4day frame. Hehe.

IzikJon wamted just any profit above N1Million.

*Making necessary calculations. It cost us N9,993.7 to get a Cameroon Basket of Tomatoes to Lagos. And this Basket goes as high as  13,000 - N14,000 in lagos. However we asked our Tomatoes Dealer to sell all the tomatoes at a flate fee rste of N12,000.

5. LANGUAGE
I hate to say this. But if i must say. Please learn one of the Major Languages. If you plan doing International Business. Its a big Plus. In our case we spoke Hausa to an Hausa Man who them translates to French and one funny Language Cameroon Tomatoes producing area speaks.  We settled our Hausa Interpreter N25,000 and bought him a new Gionee M5 Mini.

6. HONESTY
Some things can not be bought. In Mile12 Market our Dealers do sell and send money back to us without we been present. Hehe.

7. LOCATIONS
Our Decision of sensing our tomatoes to several locations ( Isoko Marker Warri- Delta State , OilMil Market Portharcout Rivers State, Abbdjdikw Aba Abia State ). Was a big boost to us. We ruled the market.

8. FRATERNIZATION
We became friends with most top boss from Head of Customs to Immigratiom to Head of Union Markets. We bought drinks for those who needed drinks, cigarettes for those who needed cigarettes. All in a bid to get what we want. Yesterday we successfully became close to the Head Military officer here.


i wont want to upload some pictures. For privacy sake

jsnow90:






Ymodulus, Thanks for this insightful narrative. I can not be more grateful

I would to ask you some questions.

1. Did you have to register or go through any official documentation with the customs of F.G.N. as a tomato importer? Did they give you any hassle?

2. During transportation of the goods, did you follow the drivers or they delivered the products independently from Cameroon to Nigeria? If yes, how did you find them and how were you sure they would be loyal?

3. When you bought the over 5000 baskets of tomato, did the drivers of the lorries move in a convoy or individually?

4. What measures did you put in place should incase any of the lorries broke down in an isolated area? How would have been able to solve this kind of unforeseen problem?

5. If I can get a military personnel to follow the drivers on their voyage back to Nigeria, will it reduce risks? will it change anything?

6. I understand that in a typical Nigerian market of today, you can't just bring products and start selling. There have to be a union and all sort of people who would have to give you permission. How did you tackle this problem? How were you able to penetrate the market?

7. I understand you sell at the rate of 12000 naira per basket. I wouldn't mind buying from you to resell. How can we do business?


Looking at the fact that you are 23 years of age, you really inspire a lot of people here, and I can only wish you more success and even more success. I await your response. Thanks!

sonnie10:


Shelf life of tomatoes can actually be extended up to 3months without refrigerating them. It is a complex, expensive method to set up but cost effective on the long run.

ubcandid:



In a country where people and the society don't pay attention to research am not surprised at your direction of thinking and countenance.

most threads like these usually end up in fraud and from my deduction going through this thread, people are asking question because they either have business they run or they understand how border trade works.

its a nice initiative by the OP but the story sounds too swift. the OP has his phone number on his profile, do you know how many people have contacted him and what has transpired behind?

it is your duty to guard youtlrself and your finances through accurate thinking. if you are as smart as you think you are, you would see that the questions directed to the OP where technical and from people who have deep knowledge about transactions.

I have tried dealing on Gold before from India to Brussels to soulk in Dubai. my dear there is no such free walk into established businesses.

Ymodulus:

Hey Nairalanders,

As usual i have always enjoyed sharing my business soujourn all through out the years. And as several people here who know me, i do not believe in running a permanent business all through, i beling to the warren Buffet Business school of thought which believes that your business ideas and moves should be adaptable  to CHANGE.


Today am here to share my story on my quest for Gold. With much detailing to trial and error and success.

My story will be shared in the following line-up.


- The Idea
- The .....

GOLDWELL:
However you want to look at this adventure, its something that can be done and obviously that's what separates the rich from the poor both mentally and physically. Now, I don't hold the brief for the OP but note the following.


The fact that something seem inexplicable, or unbelievable doesn't make it impossible to happen. You don't expect the OP to give you all the info...go and put the puzzle together.

The OP possibly have some political backing, some investors, some connections and perhaps rich friends.

If you have read the 48 Laws of Power you would understand some of the actions of the OP. He may not be a philanthropist but he understand what can be achieved in giving unbelievable gifts out in reference to the phone he gave out.

While most of us are here reading, posting, counter posting, blowing grammar, arguing the authenticity of the OP's write up, he is possibly turning around his fortune doing the same thing with tomatoes and yes most us here are buying the tomatoes while he smiles to the bank.

My advise, do that thing that sounds like a lie to the 'intellects' and the dullards.