Gafasandals is two years today and two years on nothing would have prepared me for my encounters on this journey. One thing I grew to understand over time is that the losses happen, tears fall, fear sets in and the pains of being an entrepreneur or startup in Nigeria is real. When you read other people’s experience/experiences based on their own journey you may somewhat think that you’ve mentally prepared yourself for the shock (na lie) your own experience would bring.
But the first two challenging encounters will pressure you to quitting by the 3rd, 4th, 5th you may have realized that quitting is not an option, you’ll stop and then rise back up, by the 6th 7th 8….10th blow, you’ve had enough of the brunt of being an entrepreneur. (That’s when you either fall into the statistic of startups that pack up within the first two years or leave the start up phase and expand ).
But then there are people like us who slow down during these first two years and get angry so as not to form part of a regular statistics of failed start ups, and one morning you wake up and start the journey again and the story continues( my story). This time with more flaws that you’ve come to appreciate, because the bigger the vision the higher the obstacle. However, this time you don’t slow down you keep pushing because you’ve overcome before and this would just be a lesson for the books.
Two years down the line, I’ve learning patience is pertinent to living this life of vile. From the horrible economic environment, to artisans coming for your head, to courier services leaving you up by 1pm wondering if the journey is worth it.
No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else,
so don’t compare your race with anyone else, draw up your own business model,
because not everything that goes by the book is applicable.
One of the toughest points for me this year, was in June. I woke up excited about deliveries for that day because the backlogs where reducing. I called one of my trust worthy delivery guys very early to come pick up and he was with me in 30 minutes, items where loaded and set for delivery and I had estimated that by 2:00pm we would have ended that chapter.
He calls me 30 minutes later and in a frantic voice says “madam dey don seize my bike, because I no wear helmet, these task force people, they said I should not follow them, and I don’t know what route they took, I’ll use another bike to go and check them in their office” an hour had gone by with no calls, then two, three and this is me visibly upset and I go to the police station and brief them and to my surprise my case wasn’t the first one.
Ahh you already know where my mind was headed and yes the worst happened. Long story short the bike was stolen by armed men wearing police uniform and couldn’t be traced. I don’t want to mention the estimate, but that was a down time for my business this year. Thankfully our account secretary was able to see how much damage we could recover and tried to help sort out deliveries.
I’m sharing this because I know someone who might need that encouragement to know that every business daily is battling one challenge or the other, it’s important we see it as a stepping stone. And knowing myself if I’ve won at one I know I’ll win all
Cheers to many years of producing amazing footwear’s that would adorn your feet, follow our social media handle HERE and stay tuned for the giveaways coming. New items will be available for pre order first week of September, what are your thoughts on the new designs you can identify ?
Author
Dear Grace,
Thank you so much for sharing this story and giving me hope that it would be better. Funny enough, I had my share of tears and worries this morning because I am getting tired. This is my stepping point to greater breakthroughs.