CHRIS Udeji, mans the affairs of his online shopping outlet, situated in the heart of Lagos. Udeji disclosed to our correspondent that his success in business was motivated by the values he learnt from his father, coupled with mentorship from very successful people like Muktar Bello and Professor Pat Utomi.
In this interview, Udeji says online shopping business is so lucrative that quitting is never an option for him. The renowned businessman believes he could not have succeeded in business but for passion, honesty, goodwill and consistency which are his watchwords over the years. Excerpts:
What motivated you to incorporate your business?
Every business has a driving force. We discovered gaps and saw that we could fill them and that is it. I have always been passionate about the business and it wasn’t by accident. I am experienced and I perused a lot of data on the consumer-merchant relationship. That is something different that could bridge the gaps.
What are the things, monetary or material, that you got from your father that helped your business?
My father trained us well and made us to know that we shouldn’t depend on anyone, including himself. He made us realize that what makes a man is that it pays to be independent. He taught us honesty. You cannot do anything without goodwill. He would always tell us never to tell lies, no matter the situation we find ourselves. In life, you need honesty and goodwill. I grew up knowing great men and kept close to elders from whom I learnt values. I relate to people like Muktar Bakare and Professor Pat Utomi like a son.
How were you able to source the needed resources, particularly capital?
I had good upbringing. I also went to school and worked with some of my mentors where I sourced the capital. Sometimes, I was rewarded handsomely and this is not even my first business.
What do we need to know about adibba.com?
We have our business plans and we know where we want to be at every given stage. We are not running to match anybody. We are standing alone and we just hope to do it right.
I’m sure you agree with me that success doesn’t come overnight. How did you successfully pass through the phases of growth to attain the level you are now?
We started by satiating one order. Once you can convince your customers to comeback, that is it. We never had a warehouse when we started and we were just in a 30 square-meter office . We started by going to Balogun to buy things locally and send to our customers. At every point, we just keep going. We were like “wow” the first day we did 20 orders in a day. If a customer requests a product and gets it promptly, he/she feels satisfied. We have just been consistent.
Were you not afraid of competition at the early stages?
Competition would be there always. Even in class, is there no competition? I am not even looking at what others are doing. Like I told you, I am standing alone. At the end of the day, what matters is the value and service I deliver.
What are your challenges at the moment?
We see challenges more as part of the business. We need customers to pay by their cards but the challenge is that people would always nurse fear. This is understandable. Another challenge is the fluctuation of the Naira. The next is about delivery. Lagos is almost like a car park but it is a brilliant state that I cannot even imagine life without it. But, sometimes, the roads are blocked and it causes logistic problems and we have to adjusto ur timing. If I have my way, I would like to do contracdelivery to another company.
To what extent does the free fall of the naira affect your business?
You go online to check price in the morning and when you go back to check in the afternoon, you see that the price has changed. As a buyer, you think we are not serious but that is what we get too. Basically, we depend on the prevailing rate at the international market.
Have you ever thought of quitting the business?
Quitting is not an option. The economy won’t break. It will continue to run. So, in every situation, there is a way out. It is a fantastic business.
Fantastic? How lucrative is it?
It’s a long term business. E-commerce in Nigeria is worth over $500million in terms of revenue . You can’t call such business a small business and ours is just three years old in Nigeria. It ’sfar better that a lot of businesses that have run for more than 20 years in the country. It has good potentials. We are also looking at the long term. In another five years, we would not need to incur the kind of expenses we incur now because it would have become a bigger household name.
What’s your advice to young lads who may like to start your kind of business, especially those that probably want to be like you?
One is passion. You have to be passionate about the business and that’s possible by staying positive. Next is that you must be honest. Every thing is now about automation and that is what everybody is talking about. You don’t talk about any sector unless you see a gap. You have to do your research very well before launching the business.
If you weren’t in this business, what would you have been doing by now?
I could have probably been a teacher. That doesn’t mean being in a classroom but telling people about how to do certain things.
Could you tell us about your family?
Fantastic four! I call them my best friends. I have my wife and two children. They are my best friends and biggest motivation. It is interesting to know that they are supporting me a lot in the business.
Have you ever dreamt of any of your children doing the same business someday?
Sure, I hope my daughter does. As a matter of fact, Adiba is my daughter’s name. If she is qualified to work here tomorrow, she is not going to stroll in,because she is my daughter, she would have to be qualified for it.
Do you think the present economic situation in the country is conducive for business to thrive?
Yes, it is not the best of time for our e-commerce but we won’t leave because we chose to be here. We trust the government that everything we are going through now is just temporary.
Is there anything you wish you can change about yourself or life as a whole?
If I have the opportunity, I won’t want to see poverty in anyone. I hate poverty and I don’t encourage
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