MSME Expert Advises Entrepreneurs to Get Mentor in Business

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

One of the critical stakeholders in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria, Mr Seye Olurotimi, has advised entrepreneurs to consider getting a mentor in the business to succeed.

He said this at the September 2024 edition of the MSME Africa’s Business Growth Series (BGS) held at the ICAN-BOI Hub, Yaba Lagos on the penultimate Wednesday.

According to the founder of MSME Africa, a digital news platform dedicated to small businesses on the continent, the mentor must not be a prominent person in the industry.

“Get a mentor in business! Not someone necessarily popular but someone who has travelled the road you’re currently on and is willing to hold your hand as you navigate through it so that you won’t repeat the same mistakes,” he quipped.

He expressed satisfaction with the “impressive” turnout for the programme as well as the “level of engagement and the insights shared by the speakers.”

“Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to drive business success, and we’re proud to have made a meaningful impact,” Mr Olurotimi stated.

Business Post gathered that the event, which attracted entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts, was highly engaging and interactive.

One of the speakers, Mrs Odunayo Adams Oyebolu, who is the chief executive of Everything Fashion, in her submission, urged business owners to always, “Weigh your options before making decisions.”

“Learn to cut costs, you don’t have to copy everyone! Don’t do business with pity. Charge what you’re worth. If something is no longer working, drop it and move to the next. Don’t be rigid, try new methods,” she advised.

On his part, the chief executive of Pecksgrey Group, Mr Remi Olukoya, advised participants to ensure customer satisfaction as this remains the soul of any business, ending with some thought-provoking questions to the attendees, “What do you do for your business to move forward? Do you engage in short-term investments when you make profits? Does your business come top in the mind of your potential customers?”