BUSINESS NUGGETS

Engr. Ndubuisi Chidomere MNSE, a Christian Entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Pamtech Group, write: Do you know why most people will never get capital, because they have not learnt how to sell themselves. I have received countless calls from people asking, “Sir, please help me with capital to start my business.” Each time, I will listen and ask myself if this is a right product to invest in.

See, nobody owes you capital, you must learn to build it yourself. Capital is not the first thing you need. You are your first capital. But unfortunately, many have not yet learned it. We were trained wrongly. We were taught to hustle after money, chase after capital, beg for support from strangers but nobody taught us this simple truth that: You don’t ask for money, you attract money.

And how do you attract it? By learning to sell yourself first through service, trust, and value. Money does not chase needs, money chases solutions. Capital flows to credibility.  

If you don’t have a track record of serving and solving problems, why should anyone give you their hard-earned money? When I finished my NYSC, like many young guys, I had no job. I was interviewed severally and yet no work. Nobody to give me money to start business or any bank loan. But instead of sitting at home complaining or waiting for a miracle, I decided to serve with my skills at Mbari for free. No salaries and I showed up everyday like I was paid huge money. 

Guess what happened? The owner of the business centre, Mr. Anele Akamadu, seeing my dedication, service and value, started giving me support and started introducing me to his friends. That free service turned into relationships. Those relationships turned into opportunities and that was how I met Barr. Anselem Okorie of MDGs and my story changed. 

All that income and savings while serving Anselem became the seed of everything I started building in Pamtech after 8 years of committed service. See, service is not slavery; service is strategy. Your reputation is your real currency, and your smart work is your collateral; it’s what people use to judge if you are bankable.

When people trust you, believe you, and see your consistency, capital will flow naturally. You will not need to shout for help, your service will announce you. If you are dreaming of big things, listen to me as your brother: First, discover what you have… a skill, an idea, a passion. Secondly, package yourself, present your value with dignity, diligence and excellence.

Thirdly, serve with everything you have got even when nobody is watching because you are your first product, so, sell it well.

Know that investors don’t invest in paper ideas, they invest in people. Instead of asking, “Who will give me money?” Start asking, “Who can I serve? Who can I help? What problems can I solve?” This mindset shift was the beginning of my own journey, and if you make that shift today, it will be the beginning of yours too. Study and apply this common secret.