Almost every business owner has heard it. You send a quotation, explain what is included, and before the customer even asks another question, the response comes: “Your price is too high.” For many entrepreneurs, that statement immediately creates panic. You begin to wonder whether you have overcharged, whether the customer will walk away, or whether […]

A business can be profitable on paper and still struggle to pay salaries, restock inventory, or settle suppliers. The problem is sometimes not a lack of sales. It is that too much of the business’s money is sitting in customers’ hands. You may have issued invoices worth millions of naira, but unpaid invoices cannot pay […]

For many Nigerian businesses, WhatsApp has become the default way to communicate with customers. People ask about products, place orders, negotiate prices, send payment receipts, and even complain—all through WhatsApp. Yet, despite spending hours on the app every day, many entrepreneurs are only scratching the surface of what it can do for their businesses. WhatsApp […]

One of the most common questions entrepreneurs ask is: “How do I raise funding for my business?” Some are looking for angel investors, others are hoping to raise venture capital, while many simply want someone willing to invest in their business so they can expand. There is nothing wrong with seeking investment. In fact, every […]

When many Nigerians hear the word “export,” their minds immediately go to cocoa, ginger, sesame seeds, shea butter, cashew nuts, or containers leaving Apapa port. And to be fair, physical exports are important. But there is another export opportunity many entrepreneurs are not paying enough attention to. Service export. This simply means selling your skills, […]

When people think about why businesses fail, they often point to things like a poor economy, inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, or lack of funding. While these challenges are real, they are rarely the only reason businesses struggle. In many cases, businesses are gradually weakened by a series of poor decisions. Individually, these decisions may not […]

Last week, we explored seven AI tools that entrepreneurs can use to improve productivity and work more efficiently. But knowing about tools is one thing. Knowing where to use them is another. One mistake many business owners make is assuming automation is only for large companies with sophisticated systems and dedicated technology teams. The reality […]

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a new concept for most entrepreneurs. Over the last few years, tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Canva AI, and even the AI features now built into many social media and productivity platforms have become increasingly popular among business owners. Many entrepreneurs are already using them to write content, […]

Last week, we discussed the idea that not every customer is good for business and looked at some of the customer behaviours that can create more problems than value for entrepreneurs. This week, I want us to look at the issue from the other side. One complaint I hear regularly from business owners is that […]

One of the most common pieces of business advice entrepreneurs hear is that every customer is important. And while there is some truth in that, experience eventually teaches a different lesson. Not every customer is good for your business. In the early stages, most entrepreneurs are grateful for any customer they can get. Sales are […]