Begin with the End in Mind…

Begin-with-the-end-in-mind

Begin with the End in Mind…

If you’ve read 7 habits of highly effective people by Stephen R Covey, you might remember this is Habit 2. My last day at work (mandatory service) was the 27th of January. That means that I’m no more on anybody’s payroll. I’m like totally on my own…it’s scary and exciting. Scary because this is completely new to me and exciting because this is completely new to me..hahaha 🙂

Armed with this knowledge I had to be at least 50% sure of where I want to take my Agribusiness to. 100% is way too much I have to trust the process and in life I’ve learnt that anything can happen, so need to stay open to the possibilities…good or bad. So I’m leaving the other 50% to ‘God, the universe, the divine hand, powers that be’ (feel free to insert what you will) and if 50% is too little or too much…..well….just going with the flow.

Right now the end is having nicely packaged cut vegetables for mid to upmarket clients. Spent the week looking for packaging companies and going to the market.

My week in pictures….

DSCN2648 After clearance (my fellow corpers understand) I hit the road in search of printing presses and packaging companies…

IMG-20140204-01388We didn’t take a lot of pictures on this particular day because I was all kinds of stressed from driving and asking for directions and getting disappointed when we got to our various destinations. However we took this picture at a company called Nikapaco, because we made some progress here. We thought it was weird that a company had a HUGE mirror just after the reception…haha

DSCN2697So hit the road the next day (I WISH I HAD A DRIVER) in search of packaging companies. I happen to have 3 Personal Assistants. I wish…they are family and since they had nothing better else to do…they tagged along. Love my family 🙂

DSCN2705

DSCN2708Took a few pictures while we were waiting and prepping.

20140206_134642

IMG-20140206-01393 IMG-20140206-01392

 20140206_134639Think the meeting went well in the sense that he would put us in touch with a smaller company that can produce smaller quantities. This company is called Studio Press Nigeria Ltd. They deal with large companies that produce large volumes. I was impressed by their professionalism and quality of their products.

IMG-20140207-01404Next up was one of the busiest markets in Lagos…Mile 12…I’ll do a separate post on this…basically went to find out prices of some vegetables….

SAMSUNG CSCMeet my girl from way back…Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, she was giving a talk on accessing grants, so went to support her. I also went to learn a few things as well. I’m in search of funding through grants because the banks charge very high interest rates (28%). She did a great job…well considering she has received at least $100,000 in grants, didn’t expect less. Will introduce her properly in another post.

Lessons learnt

  1. The road to agripreneurship isn’t easy but you have to keep the faith 🙂
  2. A lot of people will waste your time and disrespect you, don’t sweat it, keep moving…I did.
  3. There are a few people who will help you, remember to appreciate them.
  4. Driving in Lagos is STRESS…but have faith that you will soon start making enough money to hire a driver.
  5. Always leave your options open, you might go in search of something but find something completely different. Don’t get disappointed, just accept what is….might be a blessing.
  6. Always support your fellow entrepreneurs and people in general, not everyone will return the favour but you only need a few to.
  7. ALWAYS PLAN but remember that PLANS ALWAYS tend to change.

Thanks for stopping by :-)PS: If you know of any packaging companies in Lagos or Nigeria, please hit me up. Thanks

15 Comments

  • Gk wif u
    February 10, 2014

    The only limitations we have are the ones we impose on ourselves….your doing great things Kofo. More grease to your Elbow and you are amusing.

    Reply
    • Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
      February 10, 2014

      True talk! Thanks and I’m glad you noticed the humour in the right up 🙂

      Reply
  • Adedapo
    February 10, 2014

    very nice and engaging>>>lesseons learnt>>>>aw3some

    Reply
  • Adedapo
    February 10, 2014

    …always bring my A-game, please there’s some part missing before the beginning.Remind me please

    Reply
  • adebimpe Marrufat
    February 10, 2014

    Interesting and educating as always. thumbs up the following are names of some packaging companies; SONNEX Packaging -Olorunfunmi street behind phillip ojota lagos Nicapaco Packaging – Ilupeju industrial estate close to nestle foods. Positive Packaging -Former ENPEE building at oshodi opposite GSK ilupeje office.you came check nairaland for more info. thanks

    Reply
    • Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
      February 10, 2014

      Thanks Adebimpe, it’s always good to hear from you. Hope your have made some progress on your poultry farming. Thanks for your recommendations. Nicapaco doesn’t produce the kind of packaging I need. Will head down to Positive Packaging sometime this week. When you say check naira land, how exactly do I go about it?

      Reply
  • Karima
    February 10, 2014

    I am with you on the working hard to get a driver bit. Lagos is a MISSION and a half! I am also on the lookout for packaging companies, so if you find let me know and vice versa. Please lend me your assistants they look very helpful…posing. :PKeep up the good work!!

    Reply
    • Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
      February 10, 2014

      Thanks Karima. Will definitely hit you up. Adebimpe just suggested you a few.

      Reply
  • mislaw178
    February 10, 2014

    Whao! Good to see you are really making progress. The top is certainly for the well determined who never looked back once they set their hands on the plough. I hope you have a registered name/company and even the intention to patent your inventions/innovations? Have my best wishes.

    Reply
    • Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
      February 10, 2014

      Hello…thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. Yup I have a registered company but no patents yet! Who knows what the future hold 🙂

      Reply
    • Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
      February 19, 2014

      Thanks mislaw…we are obviously continuing our conversation offline…

      Reply
  • Michelle Blooms
    September 2, 2016

    Kofo, nice work and well done. Your posts have been very helpful in navigating the Agriculture space and I hope to learn more from your posts as you make progress.

    Reply

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