13 Signs You Are A Lagos Entrepreneur

Big, loud and in-your-face, Lagos is a packed megacity where the streets are teeming with life and the buzz of innovation. Here’s 13 signs you’re a Lagos entrepreneur:

1. You will always get stuck in traffic:You have to leave for your meetings at least 4 hours or more ahead of the scheduled time, if you are to make it early

2. And even then sometimes it doesn't matter what you wear or how you pitch:the outcome of your meetings most times will depend on the type of car you arrived for the said meeting in.If you come with an Oyinbo man, you'll get a response faster.

3. At times, keeping the lights on can be a struggle (and not because you didn't pay the bill):You know you're running a business in Lagos when generator is your most expensive

4. Not that a little blackout is going to stop you...the lights go out and the hustle on the streets remains the same

5. Sometimes business can be a waiting game:Expect to wait several hours in the waiting room to have a meeting with a potential new client or partner

6. But with a huge potential market, the sky's the limit for a good idea:
The massive population of over 15 million people makes it encouraging to venture into one business or the other

7. You've got to work with officials:There is a heavy political undertone while doing business in Lagos. One way or another you will have to interact with the govt

8. And then there's the other unexpected expenditures...govt levies, taxes and hidden charges could kill your startup before it even began,get ready to grease palms

9. Offers are key to stay ahead of your rivals: You constantly have to give discount & offer VAS to stay ahead of competition

10. But despite the trials and tribulations, you can always find a solution

11. Your phone is constantly stuck to your ear and that means... Your data plan is hungrier & much more expensive than that new chic you took on your last date

12. As if getting stuck in traffic constantly isn't enough, sometimes there isn't even enough gas for that 4+ hour car ride!You know you're an entrepreneur in Lagos when you're battling with power and internet costs then fuel scarcity shows up anytime

13. But you never give up because the success could be just around the corner. that you may fail to see a breakthrough 10 times of trying and your 11th attempt becomes the BIG BREAK!