Cement, ceramics makers in Nigeria leverage local inputs to expand production

The non-metallic products sector, made up of cement and ceramics industries, has shown that local manufacturers have the capacity and commitment to leverage locally available raw materials once they are in the required quantity and meet acceptable standards. ....read more

Ondo plans chocolate production for Q2 2016

A modern chocolate factory to process premium quality cocoa beans produced in Ondo state would begin production of chocolate bars by April 2016, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said at a news conference  on Friday.

He said the factory would utilise and process the facilities of the Cocoa Catalytic Factory in Idanre .

He added that the factory would be run by the state’s cocoa project foreign technical partner, Spagnvola Chocolatier of Spain, and would
have the capacity to produce enough for local consumption and for export.

Akinmade explained that the partner visited the state last week, preparatory to the commencement of work at the factory.

On his part, Dr Jibayo Oyebade, the Chairman, Ondo Cocoa Revolution project, said the state government had identified the Cocoa Catalytic factory at Idanre for the chocolate factory.

“Our technical partner is an internationally recognised chocolate producer which is an expert in the field. We intend to invite officials of the Ministry of Commerce to take inventory of the machines at the catalytic factory in Idanre,” he said. “Already, there is a cocoa factory in Idanre that we can put in proper shape this year.’’

Oyebade said that chocolates made from cocoa beans had been declared one of the best in the world after testing at Switzerland, and was of immense health value for both the young and old.

`”Having gone through the ailments chocolate can cure or ameliorate, I have personally identified more than 51 ailments peculiar or common to Africa and Africans,” he said. “And since our partner uses natural sugar sourced from fruits and sugarcane, not synthetic sugar, you don’t have to worry about ailments from sugar.’’

He explained that Governor  Olusegun Mimiko planned to ensure that school children in the state start taking one bar of chocolate per week before leaving office.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” —Steve Jobs, Apple Inc. co-founder, chairman and CEO

Whether you’re in the early stages of your start-up or looking for some inspiration to keep going, remember when starting your own company, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Do you know that you can run a business with the security or messenger or any other staff in an establishment you work .

There are so many businesses you can run in your work place but, today I will talk about one of them.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT STARTING UP A DRY CLEANING/ LAUNDRY SERVICE BUSINESS WHERE YOU WORK?

Most times some business owners meet hitches at different times trying to sell out their services in an organisation.

My idea might place this group out of business , but not to worry as something else will come up in one of my next articles

Let get started!

Basic requirement for starting up a dry cleaning/ laundry service

ü    Water.

ü     Detergents and washing solvents.

ü     Washing machine.

ü     Washer man.

ü     Basic knowledge about certain materials you will be washing and cleaning process.

ü     Packaging nylons.

ü     Sticker paper with your company contact info. Included.

ü     Pressing iron & pressing board.

ü     Hanging Space.

Starting procedures

1.    Get a company name. You must not register it immediately.

2.    Most working class people do have a list a  small washing machine costing about N14,000 or less. If you don’t have, get one.

3.    Use someone in your house not doing much at the moment or get someone close to your place whom you can contract to wash on days you have laundries. Daily pay will be best for the person at an agreed quantity per day.

4.    For interaction between you and your client, you can employ the service of a security personnel, messenger or any junior staff you find social and ready to do business. These are people under less pressure and can access almost all your target clients.

5.    Another reason for chosen this group is that the can easily go pick up the laundry clothes and easily return at the convenience of you & your client.

6.    Pay them on commission based on your best arrangement but, make sure you treat them well.

Benefits of the dry-cleaning/ laundry business

ü   If you have a car & go to work with it, you will not need extra transportation to take it home or anywhere you intend to do the laundries.

ü   Even if you don’t have a car and wouldn’t want to carry them by yourself, you can have someone pick it up or drop it for you.

ü   At month end, everyone who uses your services will definitely pay without excuses since you know when salaries are paid.

ü   Price for your services will seriously beat down any of your competitor from outside since you can manage the emotions of your fellow staff and actually know what they want for the service.

ü   It is an avenue to increase your monthly contribution if you belong to any or even pick up a project it will finance.

ü   Your services can easily expand to other companies/organisations around your business premises.

ü   If the establishment you work for has branches or outlets, you can capitalize on that on during expansion.

**Warning hints**

1.   You have to be more humble than ever if you have to survive the envy eyes of some of your co – workers.

2.   Make it clear at every point that you are saving cost for every staff at a low profit.

3.   Never let anyone know you run this business just in the company you work for else many will want to be in competition with you or see you as a riper of their salary or wages.

4.   Lastly, there isn’t room for sentiments when dealing with who ever in you business. Business is business! And don’t owe anyone you are dealing with.

I hope I made some sense today. Best wishes to those willing and ready to start up       

 

Fashionable Idea 101

Letter to Nigeria fashion designers

Ankara designs aren’t a new story to us in Africa and for anyone who loves Africa.

I have lived amongst a lot of (Ankara) fashion designers and I must say it’s a business that keeps grown day in day out.

It’s so funny that we copy the western world yet leave the details of what we've learnt behind.

Most times I pick up an Ankara blouse done by an expensive designer, from the finishes I can say its worth the cost! I do have a nice and expensive fashion designer in my family and I do admire her works but, most times in all I find one thing missing. What can that be? LABELS!! That’s it.

In several occasions I have seen a lady ask another lady who makes her cloths and she starts describing where or given out phone numbers or sometimes volunteering to take her there. If I should put on a Gucci shirt I suppose the question will not be the maker but rather the Gucci shop.

Labels make a brand, a brand! Anything else isn’t a brand

How to make labels for Ankara wears

There are two types of label making I will be discussing in this forum

1. Material label: is the one you sew up with shirt collars or anywhere on the Ankara you’ve made.

Requirement for best quality labels

ü   Look for labels from old clothes (as sample) so you can take measurements and other details you will need in your own label.

ü   Get a graphic designer to make you a logo if you don’t have already and create the format you intend from the old samples you got.

ü   After the features of your label have been design on the computer you’ll need to take it to the embroidery shop.

ü    Your graphic artist can help you locate an embroidery shop or some branding shop that do have an  embroidery machine.

ü   An example of the machine is shown below.

ü   Once the machine sew–prints out your labels, then you are “good to go!”

Requirements for good quality labels

This is an idea I used on labels for t – shirts I did make.

ü   Look for labels from old clothes (as sample) so you can take measurements and other details you will need in your own label.

ü   Get a graphic designer to make you a logo if you don’t have already and create the format you intend from the old samples you got.

ü   Get a screen printer. They are found in the artist shops or your graphic artist can help out.

ü   White Ribbons

ü   Oil paints (PVC)

2. Tag Label: this is the dangling card you find at any end of an already made cloth.

   

It is usually a laminated art card having a simple graphics and write-ups which contains your contacts. This is normally attached to the cloth with a rope or a plastic tag.

Requirements

ü   Look for a sample from a new cloth or check online for concepts

ü   Graphics designer who will create your illustration

ü   Printer or printing press. They will create and cut the cards to size

ü   Perforating machine. You can get that from a stationary store.

ü   Small ropes you can get in a textile accessories shop. You can also get curtain design rope from a shop selling curtains

ü   If you can lay our hands on good plastic or rubber tags, best!

I think a good finishing with a well created label will make your work outstanding and give your customer an extra look in class.

Don’t forget everyone likes a good package 

Happy Sallah and a nice holiday to everyone celebrating it.

Starting a Music Radio Station in Nigeria

Yesterday i realized that there is no music radio station in Nigeria. I have tried to find a natural good blend for music, sports reviews, politics and world news in one radio station but, can’t find any. For this reason, I have decided to talk about it today.

Why should we have a radio station playing only music?

I remember a couple of stations which started with only playing music all day at  first broadcasting, everyone  I knew had these stations playing on their radio stereos  24/7 until programs start cutting in and it becomes boring.

Sometimes we try to put ourselves in a mood with some music only to turn on the radio to realise that sport review is on air  and the worst of it is that the topic for the hour is soccer when you actually have love for basketball. I guess changing the channel or turn off will be the best option.

Another annoying situation is a lot of adverts cutting through the tunes that put us in the mood. Most times I love R& B and when it is playing on the radio, i do flow with it but, I am usually cautious of the fact that very soon an advert will just jumping in on announced.

From my understanding of great scholars and teachers of  music I believe music is a language with so many tunes intelligently spread across every listening able  ear to bring unity in groups.

Benefits of having a music radio

1. Morning mood has its kinds of songs especially Monday mornings, afternoon has its moods, like wise evening and lastly nights has its moments especially Friday nights.
2. It is easy to accommodate religious songs and circular music with respect to events, dated celebrations and a lot more.
3. Managing Cool Songs, Sensible Songs, Party Jams, Cultural Songs and Waked Songs.
4. As much as downloading songs now isn’t difficult but, you can’t catch all the songs you love to hear. Most times you get to know about songs you like from music hours on radio stations.
5. Up coming artist and celebrated artists can always be updated with new concepts and  new trends in the music industry
6. Music Concerts, Album launch, Street Dance/Parties and new music entries can be head first hand on a music station.
7. The list keeps going on…..

Kind of stuffs I look up to on music station

1.   Every day of the week should have music sequence like Monday hip pop blast, freestyle Thursday or Sunday gospel train.

2.   Celebrity gossip hours at list 3 to 4 hours a week.

3.   Top music chats containing gospel chat, naija hip pop chat, R&B and a lot more

4.   Give Djs’ a chance to express their ability on air. Probably given your listeners good mix and making names for themselves while you don’t pay.

5.   Adverts can come at the top of every hour only & last not more than few minutes

6.   Inviting successful celebrities on air at certain days with nice topics to discuss.

How to make money from owning a music radio station

Depending on your investment plan, whether a full radio FM or low power Fm (LPFM) music is the highest human magnet and so pulls a crowd of your required audience making every business within range start knocking  at your door

Just put your advert rates high and stick with it. You don’t need a lot of staffing, so more money in the bag.

I wish and hope this piece of write up makes someone rich or richer

………………………I am a music artist in Nigeria, what business can I do?….

It is so obvious that when a young Nigerian artist is hustling, he usually has good listing ears and works with those he believed in but when the money gets to six figures, people who didn’t grow with him start managing his hearing. Not too long he starts driving the latest cars, renting very expensive apartments, getting shows and endorsements.

“The life sweet, no be lie!” but imagine how it will be when the endorsement deals are over and his styles of music is saturated. I guess travelling abroad for unwanted retirement is the only option.

If you are an up-coming artist or a celebrated one, I wish you comfortable retirement.

Here is a business idea you can try out, it's free in here.

Business Idea for the day

Consider having a clothing line and having your designers as a member of board of directors.

Now let’s look for some reason why I considered this idea:

1. When you go through most music videos, you find artists to wear brands like Gucci, Prada & so many other top-class designers, and you
also find orders wearing a nameless designer. For real! How many of these designers do have their direct measurements.

2. Some designers contract you to put on their fashion line when your name is a hit on music chats but, after your reign no designer will honestly need you, so you don’t get paid for wearing clothes anymore.

3. You hit the night clubs and dinner parties with a designer's outfit, of course many others there have been maybe even better designers do their clothes. In the Gucci store, its current t shirt ranges from 150 pounds (N45, 000) to about 460pounds (N138, 000) per t shirt. When money dey! Its affordable but, what of down times? You are not a salary earner o!

Saying all these doesn’t mean you can’t wear a good designer you like but, just remember say “tomorrow matter pass today”

So, if you are still with me, let me give you some low down on how you can go about it.

Where can I get designers and materials to start my own fashion line? 

1. You can get a graphic designer through friends, Cyber Cafes, Online, Large-format printing houses and here in this forum.

2. To get a fashion artist, visit some good fashion house, ask friends, search online, or you can also request through this forum, you never know!

3. As for materials and labour with my experience in fashion designer, I strongly believe Aba in Abia State is the surest place you can get even more. If you haven’t been there before this is the time.

4. It will surprise you to know that some expensive rear wears you put on are duplicated in Aba with same quality at a surprisingly cheap price. If not for government negligence & lack of motivation in good direction, there is supposed to be the China of Nigeria.

5. You have the opportunity take  advantage.

How to sell out my fashion designs

1. In all your videos and other events, try to always put on your design from head to toe, with some mixture of your favorite designers once in a while. I remember in the past. I wore a t-shirt and shoe designed by me to a party. I wasn’t half as rich as the guys there but my outfit kept me 5-star rated because nobody could measure my outfit worth. Now imagine you an already blessed STAR.

2. Don’t use your name as the brand because you will need to sell to your haters too.

3. Sometimes persuade other artists you will be futuring in your videos to put on your design in the video shut. You will be surprised some will need one of your special designs for their own video.

4. Once in a while mention your design brand name on your hit tracks.

5. On social media avoid mention your fashion line so your haters can’t beef you on that but let your pictures in there artistically show them.

6. Give out your designer outfits on radio music and game shows but make sure they are designs you or other artists have already shown cased.

7. Don’t forget your pastor o! Even if the man doesn’t know the style, you can rearrange him. I will not need to tell you that God will use him in your favor.

8. Before you shut a video, produce whatever designs you will wear in quantity enough to cover your video expenses when sold.

9. One week after your video is out, release the products to reputable boutiques in high and low places in at list two or three states. Don’t forget Lagos as N0.1 on your list.

10. I can imagine how you will feel when you are performing on stage and find out a couple of people are putting on your design.

11. Lastly, there will be piracy of your wears after that period, don’t worry they are marketing your name. You can deal with them when you are less busy with music.

I must tell you that it is easier to make a fashion line move greatly as a music artist than being a producer after you drop an album.
Wow! Really spent almost a whole day trying to summarize this on paper. I hope you find these small pieces of information quite helpful.

Let me still say like on my first post, don’t work alone. GOOD LUCK!!!

HOME FOR FREE NEW BUSINESS IDEAS IN NIGERIA

Welcome to  Free New Business Idea forum!

I woke up one morning wondering why many business ideas have never been used & many have gone into the grave, whereas there are so many people who are willing to have those ideas at all cost.

At some point, I felt what's the use of secretly keeping ideas when we don't really know genuinely who will value it.

Today I have decided to make my ideas open to the public. If it helps you just don't forget to thank us in here.

I usually wonder why one person can’t just get it all alone. The ideas, The power drives & The capital. Most businesses today are either on the starting level year in & year out, or the business is started with cash & hopefully praying they don’t file for bankruptcy. Even when, every member of both systems actually left luxury at some point to make it big or bigger.

Motivational speakers, Writers & not forgetting fore sighted parents gets us started but, never got us there. In as much as we are thought to focus & be power driving to achieve it, but that is highly insufficient if the idea room is not filled up & the capital account is not unlocked.
If one man actually has at list 50% of the three features, I mention earlier (The Ideas, The Power drive & The capital) certainly he will of course run monopoly of over half of the successfully businesses in his large community, for as long as he lives.

 The popular saying “A tree cannot make a forest” is a factual definition that no one man can have all those three qualities in him alone. I believe nothing is impossible except having everything . From my experience & from research, I have certainly accepted the fact that many one - man businesses ( Sole Proprietorship) succeed merely to a limited level because just one man brings the idea, the same one man pushes the plan, the same boss raises the loan, and the same one man will die living his family to sustain a living from that old idea until some smarter dudes, invents a better idea to scrap it off.

Most time I wonder why people like me will wake up someday in some environment and find ideas everywhere and in most cases tried to power drive some and even get loans to run some yet, we just got thumbs up for trying at the end. Funny enough some others out there are ever willing and ready to push anything but, just can’t figure out what to move. On this earth still under the same clouds some others are with financial paper (A.K.A cash TO SPEND) which includes working class heavy income earner, Royal Money Men & those born into money (A.K.A RICH KIDS). It's so laughable that 98% in this group have the capital but lack the ideas & were never born to be the “HUZZLERS."It's obvious that the next successes in this group are cousins, relations, In – laws or just friends whom nobody ever talked about. “NO BE LUCK." They just joined the THREE FUTURES to make a big catch.

These forums I have designed to enable every one get a bit of his/her dream goals before kicking 6feet.



My ideas are not copied and remain original.

All article of mine posted in here are not blueprints but, can be developed freely