My Worst Experience As An Entrepreneur: 25% to @steemkindness

My entrepreneur experience is just like others who find it difficult to startup what is working today. It is worth millions word, but for the sake of this contest, I will start somewhere.

After completing my secondary education, I have worked in different organisations (small and medium), I have gained different experiences ranging from teaching, selling product, office clerical works, marketing, computerize office task, etc. As an undergraduate student, I have been engaging in other menial job just to see myself through school.

^{My current status}

In June, 2010, I decided to startup an ICT business, where I teach students computer application software, basic maintenances, secretarial duties and other related subject. My desire was burn out of bad treatment from my previous bosses that I have worked for. I often handle a business from scratch to growth, but along the line, I often got ill-treatment from those I worked for/with. Hence the desire to start something for myself.

I attended a business startup course for 3 weeks where my desire was further heightened, but the problem is limited fund. I end up soliciting help from people who often turned me down, this experience was painful and humiliating if you ask me. From my little saving and the money I borrowed from a friend, I got an office at 15 Ikpa road, opposite University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and made part payment. After some months of going round to solicited fund from those I knew, I got 2 set of computers, borrowed some chairs, got a table. My brother borrowed my N10,000 which I part pay to get a small generator that can carry the computers. I succeeded in getting 2 students as a referral from the previous students I have trained.

Worst Experiences
My worst experiences ranges from the start-up capital, maintaining the office, buying fuel every day, accommodation to put up my head and feeding myself. I remember contacting a fellow believer in the lord for assistance who was well to do financially, but to cut short the long sermon; he told me that “when things improve I will see what I can do”. I felt as if the whole world as turn against me. By now I’m actually passing my night in that office of which people around never notice or got a glimpse of my ugly situation. I will woke up as early as 5:00am to take my bath at the back of the office and dress-up before any other tenant arrive the premises by 7:00am to 7:30am. Week-in and week-out, I am always down with malaria which is caused by daily mosquito bites of sleeping on the floor in the office. One spirit get me going: “I will succeed”. As the rents runs out and I haven’t paid up, the caretaker will come round and make a whole lot of noise. Most times people advice me to quit the business and look for something else to do. I live on ratio 010 or 001 meal daily and sometimes convert my hunger to fasting just to keep going.

^{A cross section of students in training class}

In the course of those ugly experiences which time and space will limit what I share, I have learned lessons which could be of help to others in the same situation. I have learn managerial skills whereby I manage little available fund, manage equipments, manage people. I have learn to be satisfied with my little means of sustenance which help me to pay the rents and other accumulated bills in the course of running the business.

The situation has not total been better, but being an entrepreneur has got me up to where I am today; I have married, sustain the family and as well as the business. Others who knew how it all got started are now coming to me for advice on how to start small business and sustain it. One thing remains sure, consistency and sustainability! With my determination to remain an entrepreneur couple with my faith and hope in God, I'm able to be were I am today still in the business.

As at today, my small business is fully registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue for task payment. Apart from ICT oriented services, the business now undertake procurements and supplies. The take home salary for me may not be much, but I love being an entrepreneur. Those who turned me down some years ago now called me BOSS, DIRECTOR and the likes. Ask me anytime, anyday, I will love to be an entrepreneur.