It feels amusing everytime
I find myself talking to someone or a group of persons about Entrepreneurship,
about Opportunities. I'm constantly amused because my Ideas of a Career and
Wealth Creation used to be very stereotype, Ideas that were based on false
premises and a faulty Ideology. Today with all the buzz and activities I try to
engage in, some people tell me my DNA (Igbo genes, lol) is just beginning to
kick into gear. But I think that more than the natural heritage which I can't
disclaim, it is the realization I wake with every morning that I possess the
Initiative and Responsibility to make things happen that can make the
Entrepreneurial process one hell of a "roller coaster", and
seriously, who doesn’t just love that?
I used to be a big time
critic of Multilevel Marketing (MLM) a.k.a. Network Marketing because it
always appeared In genuine to me. I don't think my fears were unfounded because
there are many fraudulent schemes and dubious businesses people front in the
name of Network Marketing, but "If it isn’t the Real Deal, it can’t be the
Real Deal". If there's a genuine company, with a genuine product and
global aspirations with a huge potential for expansion; if there's such an
opportunity and you find it friend, if you have the guts to, I can only tell
you one thing, "Grab IT"! At this point, for good measure let me
quote the words of one of the masters, Mr Kiyosaki. In his New York Times
bestselling book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", he says the only way to
become wealthy is to go into business for yourself. In his own words,
"Mind Your Own Business." I may also add that "The greatest
Entrepreneurial Opportunities will be in distributing products rather than in
manufacturing products. I can say this with a great deal of conviction because
on one level, I was engaged in the Manufacturing Business and on another in the
Distribution Business. I've seen enormous rewards that come from distribution
without the risks and troubles of Manufacturing.
I was in Lagos, “on the
Lagos island” about two weeks ago, and while strolling with a friend, I noticed
a man with his wagon parked beside the road. The car trunk was open and he had
some merchandise on display with a great number of people around him. For a
moment I looked at him and was like, "Hey! This just makes sense". This
dude was doing his business from his car, eliminating the option of renting a
building, of employing a security staff at the door, of hiring a receptionist
to attend to clients, of being taxed for his business, of acquiring furniture
that'd serve more as a liability than an asset. Coupled with this, he possessed
the advantage of mobility and choice of customer. Definitely this is how small
enterprises grow, certain structures would become necessary but at level of his
business, that model's simply genius! Through direct selling, he eliminated so
many overhead costs of doing business. At that moment, reflecting back to
Network Marketing, which is also direct selling; I began to see how through the
elimination of 3rd, 4th and even 5th parties in business, Network Marketing is
able to pay "Crazy Commissions" to ordinary people enabling them to
live extra- ordinary lives. This isn’t fiction friends, this is fact; and I am
getting to Believe.
Some people come up
with the excuse of Inadequate Capital. This could be a major constraint, but I
believe though compared to the reward you could make out of the business with
minimal risk, the capital is negligible. The pursuit of Opportunity goes beyond
the resources one currently controls, if you truly can dare to dream, you'll do.
Another problem some
pips have is the negative response they get from prospective customers when
they've just started the business. Truly, one of the most annoying aspects of
Entrepreneurship is having to sell but there isn't an Entrepreneur who doesn’t
sell. It all depends on your attitude towards selling; like the masters say,
"Perception is the Key". If you think it's about making quick profits
off naive people, you're sure to fail at some point. Successful Entrepreneurs
are Network Builders, selling for them is not just about initiating a
transaction; it's about making and keeping a promise and a strong relationship
with a customer. It's about the pleasure of seeing people derive value from
your product. Irrespective of how awesome a product is, without good marketing,
it's a Flop.
In closing, I'd love to
quote the words of a legendary wise man from a distant time, a man who was king
of a great nation and whose wisdom Kings and rulers, young and old, rich and
poor, all sought to hear. He said:
"I have observed
something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the
race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are
often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are
educated do not always lead successful lives. This my friend is another reason Why I Want
You to be an Entrepreneur.
Thank you for reading,
Bye-Bye and and a Happy Independence Day to y'all
Dedicated to Randy Gage, truly a Legend.
Thanks Enyi Emezue for smashing ideas…
