Businesses I Applaud From Afar

Not everyone has a knack for business. Some are naturally born with that talent. Yes, it is a talent. A very good one at that. While some people are naturally gifted in business, others struggle with it. I remember a childhood friend who loved to try new things as long as they involved making money and selling things. We attended the same elementary school. He started his first business when we were in elementary school. My memory is a bit hazy, but I think we were in Primary 3 at the time. He sold sweets. We called it baba Dudu. I just realized now that I don’t know the English word for it. He would buy it in dozens at the market and sell it to us. I don’t know how he did it, but he had so many customers. Even students from other classes would come to buy from him. At a very early age, he was already a business guru.

He grew up in a struggling family, so he had to hustle on his own to help his parents. Being the first child, he also had to help his siblings. After we graduated from high school, he took his business to a whole new level and started a printing business. He was just 17 years old when he started this business. Currently, I don’t know where he is and how far he has gone, but I’m sure he is in a better place. I always looked up to my friend. For some time, I envied him and wanted to be like him, but I had doubts. At the time, I actually thought I didn't have a knack for business, but as I grew older, I realized I have what it takes to be a business person. However, there are some businesses I don’t think I ever want to try.

For this week’s prompt, the Hive Naija community asks us an interesting question; what business do you admire people doing that you have never tried before and many never try? For me, one business I doubt I’ll try is selling clothes, whether it is offline or online. You see, online vendors are even extra. I admire them more. This kind of business requires patience, commitment, and prayer. My closest friend in school, Ella, is an online vendor and she often tells me how difficult the business is. On the outside, the business seems quite simple, but when you get into it, you’ll start dealing with constant headaches.

First off, it is sometimes difficult to get customers. Some customers will make you send pictures, even ask for your account details only to ghost you afterwards. Some customers will ask you to deliver it to them before they pay. In their words, “they prefer payment on delivery.” It becomes worse when dispatch riders or waybill drivers start acting mad. If you want to send goods from one state to another, you have to make use of waybill drivers. Sometimes, these waybill drivers will take ages before they deliver your goods. Other times, they mess with your goods.

I admire those who are in this business. I admire their dedication and consistency, but I don’t think I have the energy to handle dispatch riders or waybill drivers.

Thanks for reading.