Have you earned it?

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Soft Life or Smart Life? Have you earned it? Olu from MSME Africa Jul 12   READ IN APP   Dear Entrepreneur, Let’s be honest, soft life is sweet. Who no like better thing? First-class flights, passive income, breakfast in the Maldives, and no Monday morning Zoom calls. But let’s pause and ask an important question: Have you earned it or you're just emotionally scamming yourself? You see ehn, in this entrepreneurship business, everybody wants to “blow,” but nobody wants to “wait.” We want Tesla results on keke-napep effort. We want to flex like we raised $2 million, but our Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is still higher than our revenue. O wrong nau. Delayed gratification is not punishment. It's premium self-discipline with ROI. It's the part where you reject small small temptations today so you can collect front-row blessings tomorrow. You gerrit? Let’s paint the picture: You just closed your first big deal. One part of your brain says, “Invest in marketing o!” Another part is already pricing PS5, new sneakers and one mini vacay in Ghana. You obey the second voice... and boom, you’re back to “who go help me?” in two weeks. 👀 Delayed gratification says: “Chop later. Sow now. If you eat your seed now, there’ll be nothing left to plant and definitely nothing to harvest later. Why It Matters: In business, the people who go far are not just the most talented, they’re the most patient. The ones who: ✅ Reinvest profits instead of spraying it at weddings ✅ Delay that flashy office until their team actually needs it ✅ Say "no" to short-term hype to focus on long-term value ✅ Don’t let Instagram pressure ruin their game plan Delayed gratification is what builds an empire. Instant gratification? Mostly vibes and invoices unpaid. So, Soft Life or Smart Life? Soft life is not bad o. In fact, you deserve it but not at the expense of your growth. The real soft life comes after you've built something solid. Not before. Don’t use 2025 enjoyment to cancel your 2030 breakthrough. 📌 Remember: It’s okay to look broke now if you’re building. Your future will thank you. Go forth, build smart, delay small, and ball hard later. Soft life will come... in premium packaging. Here’s what I have for you today: Trending Business News Opportunities Galore Fun Facts about Entrepreneurship Some Resources for you Trending Business News Africa Unveils PAPSSCARD to Revolutionise Cross-Border Payment A major stride towards African financial independence has been achieved with the launch of PAPSSCARD—the first Pan-African card scheme designed to ease and secure cross-border payments in local currencies. The initiative is the result of a strategic partnership between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and Mercury Payment Services (MPS). Read more Nigerian Banks Resume International Use of Naira Cards as Dollar Inflows Boost FX Market After nearly three years of restrictions, Nigerian commercial banks have resumed international transactions on naira-denominated debit cards, marking a significant shift driven by improved dollar liquidity in the economy. Get more details HERE Nigeria Inaugurates Board of Directors For National Credit Guarantee Company to Boost MSME Financing The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially inaugurated the Board of Directors for the newly established National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC Ltd), a move designed to expand access to affordable financing for Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). More details Here SquirrelPR Launches GoBorderless.Africa to Revolutionize Sponsored Content Distribution Across African Media Markets SquirrelPR, the public relations tech startup behind Africa’s leading newsroom engagement platform, has announced the official launch of GoBorderless.Africa, a no-subscription sponsored content marketplace designed to simplify press distribution across Africa’s complex media landscape. Read more Afreximbank to Launch $5 Billion Textile Project in Nigeria, Creating 250,000 Jobs Afreximbank has announced plans to launch a massive textile project in Nigeria that will generate up to 250,000 jobs and drastically transform the country’s garment industry. The announcement was made by the bank’s outgoing President and Chairman of the Board, Prof. Benedict Oramah, during the 32nd Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank. Get more details HERE Opportunities Galore Call For Applications: MTN Cloud Accelerator Program 2025 for African Startups ( N 5Million Grants) The MTN Cloud Accelerator is a 12-week innovation-driven program designed to empower growth-stage African startups by giving them access to MTN’s powerful platforms, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and funding opportunities.Get more details and Apply today Call For Applications: Flourish Africa Business and Life Skill Program 2025, Cohort 4 ( N1.3Billiion Grants) The Flourish Africa Business and Life Skills Programme 2025 (Cohort 4) is now open for applications! The program is calling on ambitious, passionate, and driven female entrepreneurs across Nigeria to apply for a share of the 1.3 billion naira grant and gain access to world-class training and business development support. Get more details here. Call For Applications: DBN 7TH Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2025 The annual DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme (DBNETP) is the flagship programme of the Development Bank of Nigeria and is currently in its 7th Cycle. It is open to all Nigerian MSMEs across any sector, who are interested in acquiring the right knowledge needed to succeed in doing business in Nigeria..Get more details HERE Call For Applications: UpSkill Universe-HP-Google Skills for Business Programme 2025 for African SMEs The programme includes hands-on modules and expert-led virtual workshops, focusing on practical skills like boosting productivity with AI, mastering digital marketing essentials, and launching e-commerce ventures. These resources are designed to help SMEs enhance operational efficiency, attract new customers, and expand their online presence. Get more details here. Call for Applications: InnovateX Creativity & Invention Pitch Session ( N20 Million in Prize+ Mentorship) Are you a young creative or tech enthusiast between the ages of 16 and 25? Do you have a bold idea, an innovative project, or a tech-driven solution waiting to make an impact? This is your moment to shine. Join the InnovateX Program and take your passion from concept to reality. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a tech lover ready to build something meaningful, InnovateX is designed to help you pitch, grow, and thrive.. Get more details and apply HERE You can access many more opportunities HERE Fun Facts about Entrepreneurship Did you know that Social entrepreneurship in Africa has its roots in traditional community-based initiatives. In West Africa, for example, the "esusu" or "susu" concept has been around for centuries. Esusu is a form of communal savings and loans where community members pool their resources to support each other's economic endeavors. Take the “Esusu” system in Yoruba culture (and similar systems like “Susu” in Ghana or “Chama” in East Africa). These were rotating savings groups where people contributed money regularly and took turns collecting the pot, not just for profit, but to help members pay school fees, start businesses, or solve community problems. This indigenous practice has inspired modern social entrepreneurship initiatives across the continent, focusing on community-driven solutions to address Africa's unique challenges. Some Resources For You 5 Top Nigerian Government Agencies Offering Grants for MSMEs in 2025 (and How to Apply) Who Are Your Customers? How the 2025 Nigerian Tax Reform Acts Will Impact MSMEs: What You Need to Know 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. Pledge your support   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 MSME Africa 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe