As startup founders, or emerging ones, it is important that we draw inspirations and guidance from the activities and words of other very successful founders. As a result of this, I have decided to compile quotes from very reputable and successful tech startup founders in Nigeria.
They are meant to guide you. You should live by them.
- Back then we were running mean and lean. That’s still our approach today. We don’t believe because you have any amount of money that you should spend it any how. The same should apply to every entrepreneur. – Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO, Paga.
The most successful startups today are basically about taking something that happens offline and bringing it online. That offline experience is important. – Kola Aina, founder Emerging platforms.
First you have to be passionate. As long as your aim is not to be ‘cool’, but to actually solve a problem that really exists, you’re on the right track. – Fikayo Ogundipe, CEO ToLet.com.ng
You must want to add value to the people, not just sell your products. And even after they pay, if they did not get the value they were expecting, you must be willing to refund their money. In short, always have the customer in mind. – Leke Ojikutu, founder and CTO VoguePay.
In everything you do, put the team first. Even when you make profit, think of the team. – Leke Ojikutu, founder and CTO VoguePay.
Choose your space, know what works for you, reinforce what works for you and you get your results. There is more than enough space for everyone to play. But remember, it is very easy to come in but it’s even easier to feel the heat and run out. – Eyo Bassey, founder PayPorte.
When you are in the right market, you will survive, because the market is always big enough to keep you alive” – Mark Essien, CEO hotels.ng
Market is everything. Pick the right market. If you are in a bad market, nothing will save you.” – Mark Essien, CEO hotels.ng
The best person that can keep your business afloat is your customer. Nigerian startups focus too much on investors money. Then months after the Startup is dead. Why? Because there are no customers to pay. – Oluyomi Ojo, Co-founder and CEO, printivo.
Work as a foundation staff in an existing venture. Forget all the hype about incubators and accelerators. Nigeria doesn’t work like that. – Olumide Olusanya is Chief ‘Glootian’ at Gloo.ng.
Just start. That’s all I can say. If you wait for things to be perfect, you’re never going to do anything because there’s never really going to be the perfect time. And you don’t have to start at the scale you want. – Modupe Macaulay, founder Capital square.
So there you have it. By the way, we would like to know which one of these quotes is your favourite. Do use the comment box below.
