Determination is everything

…it helped me start my own business

Your thoughts (13)

It all started in our family living room.

My friends, my siblings and I were talking about how to make it big in life. You know, become the next Dangote or Tiwa Savage. We do that a lot.

But this time it was different, my older brother’s friend told me something that changed my life.

He said, ‘Zainab, you like shoes, why don’t you start a shoe business?’

I laughed at first and told myself only people from rich families can start that kind of serious business.

But then I thought about it again. Nobody was born successful, we all start from somewhere.

All of a sudden, I was deep in research. I went online and started looking for people in the shoe business. I started following them and some of them even followed me back!

I started asking them questions – how they started, how they manage their businesses, and so on. I learned so much.

I decided on a name for my business and started drawing designs for sandals. I looked for a good shoemaker in my neighbourhood who could help me make them.

Next thing I did was ask family and friends for help. I saved some money but I needed more. I wrote down all my plans and used this to help my family and friends understand what I would do with the money.

I didn’t get all the money I needed but I still started with what I had. Instead of making 10 shoes like I planned, I made just 3 shoes.

And people in my neighbourhood bought them all, they said my designs were so different.

The way I danced that day eh!


I felt gingered to continue and I was doing well. My shoemaker could not make too many shoes at a time so after a few months I decided to start importing shoes.

I did some research and asked my online shoe business friends for some contacts. Finally, I decided to buy some shoes from a woman in China. That’s how I started international buying and selling lol!

The shoes came into Nigeria 2 weeks later and I was so proud when I went to pick them up. They looked as beautiful as they looked in the pictures. I was so happy that I took time to find a trusted seller.

Of course I had to overcome many challenges – the fear of buying from the wrong person, the fear that nobody would buy my shoes, the fear that I would lose my money. In fact, for some of my first sales I made a mistake and did not charge enough money to make any profit. But I learnt fast from my mistakes, I asked questions all the time and I had the determination to make it work.

I am still working on making my business better and sometimes I still make mistakes. But the most important thing is that I keep my main goal in my mind. I want to grow my business to a point where people from all over the world know about my shoes. When I know my goals, I stay focused.

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Your thoughts

Big Sis Good Afternoon How else can I talk to you? Somethings bother my mind which makes me anxious and depressed Sent you an e-mail but I didn't get any reply How else can I get in touch with you?

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Deronke! Thanks for the comment. This is the only place you can talk to me. Please drop a comment here. I can assure you that this is a safe space and you won't be judged or looked down on. There is no email address that was shared. This is where you will find big sister. We hope this helps

OK I have being trying to become military personnel but noting cash up how do I go

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey holy! Thanks for the comment. You need to be sure that you are going about it the right way. We advise that you go to the barracks of the force you want to belong to and make inquiries there. We hope this helps

I want to start my own clothes business but I don't know how to. Everything is on my mind -- school, the money, everything and it's too much pressure

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Mekky! Thanks for the comment. You need to take things one at a time. Which one is the most important at the moment? When you figure it out, focus on that. Clothes business is very broad, if you do not know what area you want to specialize in, you will definitely be confused. Also, do you have the money to fund it right now? If you do not, don't push yourself to do something that is not fully planned out at the moment. Just calm down and plan properly. We advise that you focus on school for now and then gradually plan the rest. We hope this helps

of course determination is our motto cause when you are determined you can do things people think you can't do.

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

of course determination is our motto cause when you are determined you can do things people think you can't do.

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

I want Hi bed a fashion designer

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

I really wanna sell hair ( human hair , closure) and all but I am scared of getting duped the second time, I lost 45k which I saved up and end up being duped . Am just so scared to start again

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Meye! Thanks for the comment. We are so sorry about getting duped in the past. What you need to do is to investigate well and do your findings well before you invest your money. Business is a risky venture but you need to be sure of who you are doing business with. Ask questions, compare vendors and prices, be vigilant and alert too. We wish you all the best and we hope this helps

I would like to sell fashion bag's and other fashion materials but i don't know how to start or what to do.

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Dear, i admire your confidence. I have a business plan, however, executing it is the problem. Moreover, i resort to embark on it as soon as possible.

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.