Dear Entrepreneurs, How are you truly? How is your business doing? Sometimes during the week, two of my entrepreneur friends complained to me about some customers and their ’shenanigans’. They were actually lamenting. All I could say was ‘’Sorry oh”, ‘’Take things easy”. Some customers will whine you for real, but don’t panic. If you’ve been in business for more than five minutes, you already know that customers come in all shades of ‘interesting.’ Some are dream clients who pay instantly. Others? Let’s just say they keep things… entertaining. The Different Breeds of Customers You’ll Meet: The “I’ll Get Back to You” Customer: These ones act like they’re this close to buying, then disappear faster than network signal during a rainstorm. A week later, you see them rocking your competitor’s product. Lesson? Don’t wait on them—follow up once and move on. The “Why Is It So Expensive?” Customer: They want premium quality but expect very low prices. They’ll compare your handcrafted product to a mass-produced alternative and expect you to justify your price. Solution? Stand your ground. Your price reflects your value—don’t negotiate your worth. The “Can I Pay in Exposure?” Client: Ah, the influencer with 200 followers who swears their ‘shout-out’ will make you a millionaire. They think social media clout is a valid currency. Reality check: It isn’t. Exposure doesn’t pay rent. Politely decline and focus on paying customers. The “Uncle That Owes You” Customer“: Just send it first, I’ll pay next week.” Next week turns into next month. Next month turns into ‘I’ve been meaning to call you.’ Solution? Set clear payment terms. Business is business—no free credit for Uncle John. To stay sane, know your ideal customer. Not everyone is your market. The right customers will value your work. Set boundaries; politely but firmly say no to unrealistic demands. At the end of the day, customers will be customers—some will be great, some will be frustrating, and some will give you stories to laugh about later. The key is to focus on those who respect your work and pay without drama. Here’s what I have for you today:
Trending Business NewsVFD Group, Arcadia Africa Day to Empower 5,000 Women-Led SMEs Across Africa
VFD Group has partnered with Arcadia Africa Day, a subsidiary of Utopia Media Group, to support 5,000 women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The initiative, set to launch as part of the Africa Day 2025 celebrations, will provide financial backing and strategic business support through the Abada platform. Read more Nigerian House of Reps Passes Tax Reform Bills, Retains VAT at 7.5%
The Nigerian House of Representatives has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reform bills after months of debate but rejected a proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 15% by 2030. The House also dismissed the planned reintroduction of inheritance tax under the guise of taxing family income, a move that had sparked criticism from various economic and civil society groups. Get more details HERE emPLE Announces Free One-Year Insurance to Female Entrepreneurs
In a bold move to support female entrepreneurs, insurance firm emPLE has announced free one-year ShopProtect Insurance coverage for businesswomen, aligning with the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action.”. More details Here Telkom Kenya Secures $4.4m Grant to Advance Open RAN Technology
Telkom Kenya has secured a $4.4 million grant from Rakuten Symphony and Airspan Networks to accelerate the deployment of Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technology in Kenya. Read more AfDB, ECOWAS Sign $12m Grant Deal to Boost Rice Production in West Africa
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission have formalized a $12 million grant agreement to strengthen food security in West Africa through the Rice Resilient Value Chains Development Project (REWARD). Get more details HERE Opportunity GaloreCall For Applications: AYuTe Africa Challenge Nigeria 2025 ($40,000 up for grabs)
The AYuTe Africa NextGen, an initiative of Heifer International, was established in 2021 as an agribusiness innovation initiative designed to catalyze ground-up innovation that address challenges faced by smallholder farmers at scale, providing the incubation and catalytic financing needed for these businesses to scale.Get more details and Apply today Call For Applications: Africa Startup Forum 2025 ( Access to Funding & Investment Opportunities, Capacity Building & Mentorship Programs)
The Africa Startup Forum 2025 is calling on visionary entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem enablers to apply and be part of this premier event driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across the continent!. Get more details and apply. Call For Applications: She Code Africa Laptop Scholarship Program 2025 (Free Laptop, Financial Support ,Free Access to Internet and Training)
The scholarship aims to build an Africa where women are equally represented across all career roles in Technology and embodies technical growth, networking, mentorship, and visibility amongst all career levels in Technology. Get more details HERE Call For Applications: TSC Accelerator program 2025 (Up to $50,000 Funding)
Our Accelerator program provides pre-seed & seed funding of an average of $50,000 for a minimum of 7.5% equity ownership to innovative startups primarily within northern Nigeria and other emerging cities & underrepresented and underserved countries in Africa. Get more details here. Call For Applications: NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI) 3.0 (Up to US$220,000 Funding, Mentorship, and a Five-Week all-Expenses-Paid Training Program in Silicon Valley, USA.)
The NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI), an initiative of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), is designed to empower entrepreneurs and changemakers whose innovative ideas can drive meaningful social and economic impact. Get more details and apply HERE You can access many more opportunities HEREFun Facts about EntrepreneurshipDid you know that retailing business has its roots in ancient civilizations? The word "retail" comes from the Old French word "retaillier," which means "to cut again" or "to sell in small quantities." This refers to the practice of merchants cutting bulk goods into smaller portions for individual sale. In ancient Babylon, Greece, and Rome, markets and bazaars were established where merchants sold goods to consumers. These early retail markets were often bustling with activity, offering a wide range of products, from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Some Resources For YouHow To Bridge The Digital Divide In Africa; An Easy Approach 15 Social Media Management Tools That Will Make Life Easier for You _______________________________________ For more news, opportunities, resources, and other items, kindly visit: www.msmeafricaonline.com Follow us on social media: YouTube , Instagram, Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn Join other Entrepreneurs across Africa in the MSME Africa Community HERE Till next time Olu, MSME Africa MSME Africa Pulse is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell MSME Africa Pulse that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments.
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Saturday, 15 March 2025
Customers Will Be Customers
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