Entrepreneur Spotlight : Ifedayo Apoeso

 Hello Darlings,thank God it's Monday ...as you know,Mondays are for inspirations

In our spotlight today is Apoeso Ifedayo.  Computer Science graduate from Osun State 

University. He's also known as 0965 or Garri Commander of the Federal Republic or the coporate 

garri seller.lol

  Kindly take us through the journey of your business

 It all started in 2010. When i visited a friend during my semester break, there I met a girl packaging garri  with sugar, milk, and peanut, I loved the idea immediately.  I got her contact and I offered to 

resell on in my school, She sold at discounted rate,which after selling,i made some profits. I 

rememberI was dressed in suit to introduce the garri to the 100 level students. That was were the 

 "the coporate garri seller" came about. I stopped selling in my final year just to avoid distractions. 

After my last paper as an undergraduate,  ASUU embarked on strike, I thought of  what to do to get 

busy, couldn't go back to website design because the passion was missing, it was in the process of 

thinking, an old friend called me and asked if I still sell Garri, I told him "No". He then advised me to continue selling, that what got his attention was the way I did advertise the 

it, that I added "Swag" to the Garri. I called on the lady that was supplying me then but she said, she had stopped selling. So I took it upon myself to start and add something different. I started by

 selling only  garri ,but now we have Garri with delicacies. I have added some swags to it lol

What motivated you into becoming an entrepreneur ?And why did you choose to go into 

garri business?

Passion to do something different and also to stand out was what motivated me. 

 Knowing well every business comes with its own challenges,what are the challenges you've had to face and how have you been able to overcome them?

My major challenge before was fear of acceptance, but I was able to overcome through God and also the passion i have for it. I have being insulted in the cause of selling but i didn't let that old me down

 rather that made me a better person.

 I believe you have just finished your National youth service corps programme (NYSC), do you intend to continue with this business?

Yes, I am continuing with the business, there is no going back.

 

How do you go about marketing your business?And what has been your most successful form 

of marketing ?

 I use the social media as a tool for marketing. I don't just surf the net, I learn and use my post to get my customers' attention. I also go to offices to introduce the product to them.

 Who has been your greatest inspiration?

God has being my greatest source of inspiration, And He has never failed me.

Your advice to fellow youths who wish to start a business.

  

Let your passion be your drive before starting any business and not the money. Money is important in business but when passion is greater money will flow in. Also always pray , it is very important. 

Remember it is only what you see that you can seize. 

Please note : The purpose of this interview is to promote and encourage entrepreneurship among youths and i hope to spotlight more entrepreneurs both at home and in diaspora.