Abuja: A popular Yoruba proverb says, ‘B a b¡ f?´ r¬n j¬n , a gb?d?` b?`r?` p?`lº ¬gb©s?` kan’, meaning, a long journey begins with a single step. The proverb reflects the reality that major achievements often start from humble beginnings. The saying underscores the experiences of many entrepreneurs who gradually build successful ventures through patience, consistency, and determination despite limited initial resources.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, business experts say starting small should not be seen as a setback but as a strategic foundation for learning, adaptation, and sustainable expansion over time. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a cross-section of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reflected on this philosophy and how it has shaped their business journeys. They shared personal experiences showing how modest beginnings, persistence, and gradual growth have helped them build sustainable businesses despite initial financial and operational challenges.
Across Nigeria, small and medium-scale businesses continue to play a vital role in job creation and economic growth, even as operators navigate financial constraints and market uncertainties. Mrs. Anike Adeniran, a small-scale entrepreneur, told NAN that she started her provisions business with N20,000 and displayed her goods on a table outside her residence. According to her, she ventured into business after spending more than 10 years teaching in private schools with limited income.
Similarly, Mrs. Amina Yusuf, a fashion designer in Bwari, FCT, said she started her business from a room in her family house with one sewing machine. Yusuf said attracting customers was difficult in the early years, and she often relied on relatives for financial support. Despite the challenges, she said she remained committed to producing quality designs and serving customers diligently.
Also speaking, Mr. Chinedu Okafor said he began poultry farming with fewer than 100 birds in his compound. Okafor said inadequate capital, disease outbreaks, and rising feed costs threatened the survival of the business in its early years. He said he attended agricultural training programmes and adopted modern farming techniques to improve productivity.
Similarly, Hajia Hauwa Bello said she started her business as a roadside food vendor with limited capital. Bello said she sold meals from a small wooden stall near the busy Dutse Market in Bwari Area Council and focused on quality service.
A Business Development Consultant, Mrs. Deborah Bamidele, attributed reluctance to start small businesses to impatience, fear of failure, and social media influence. Bamidele said many aspiring entrepreneurs delayed business plans while waiting to secure substantial funding. According to her, entrepreneurs who borrow heavily without market experience often struggle to sustain their ventures.
Other experts who spoke to NAN agreed with Bamidele that many successful enterprises began with limited resources and expanded gradually through discipline, reinvestment, and strategic decision-making. They advised entrepreneurs to focus on building profitable and resilient businesses rather than pursuing rapid expansion that may prove financially unsustainable.
No doubt, the experiences shared by the entrepreneurs demonstrate that determination, resilience, and continuous improvement can transform small ventures into thriving enterprises. Stakeholders say aspiring entrepreneurs should view humble beginnings as opportunities for learning, adaptation, and growth, rather than barriers to achieving long-term business success.