Sunday, 20^th April, 2025

Bible Reading: Job 32:8

Memory Verse:  Now I truly realize wisdom comes from God. Job 32:8 (CEV)

Thinking outside the box or thinking out of the box, or thinking beyond the box, or thinking outside the square is an idiom that means to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. The phrase also often refers to novel or creative thinking. It means to think imaginatively using new ideas instead of traditional or expected ideas.

Azeez Olayide, a graduate of Business Economics from the University of Buckingham, England, has become the Nigerian food vendor in the UK. His business partner and himself left their jobs to start selling jollof rice in the United Kingdom. The restaurant in Manchester in England sells a plate of Nigerian food for £15. Amazingly, the restaurant is always full to capacity. He named his business, ‘2 Nigerian Boys’. It began in February 2019 at London Financial District, Spitalfield market.

According to the businessman, the adventure started when he and his friend wanted to satisfy their appetite with ‘smoky’ jollof rice but did not get it. One of them then said, ‘Let’s go to the city to bring jollof rice.’ The two men were dumbfounded on the first day they started the business as they sold all that they had in 30 minutes, giving them the confidence that the business would thrive. They looked at each other in the face and said, ‘We need to quit our jobs and start selling Nigerian foods.’

He stressed that the success of the business was based on its acceptance by the customers who loved the food. Interestingly, 90% of their customers are non-Africans, while the remaining 10% are Nigerians. ‘They love the beef when they eat it,’ Olayide said. It is a lunchtime business. They open business between 12pm and 2pm. ‘It gets crazy here with lunchtime.” he said. Another peculiarity of the business is that the food is cooked on-site to announce itself to passers-by and people.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that a branch of the business has been opened in Briston after feedback from customers in London. Olayide, however, declined to reveal his business partner, whom he called ‘a magician’ and was the brain behind the cooking of the jollof rice. As touching competition, he said:  “Yes. There have to be competitors as well. I can’t be the only one selling jollof in London.

A lot of people might do it better and some don’t. But one thing always stands out: if your product is good, your product will sell itself. If your location is good, your location will bring people to you. I always tell people that a good thing about business, especially with the food business, is your location.

Your location always matters in whatever you do. Your location and product play important roles in growing your business. If your customer service is excellent, the ratings will go far.” Thinking out of the box does not necessarily imply producing a car that flies in the air. Simple initiatives like these can make a huge difference.

Quote:  Great creators don’t necessarily have the deepest expertise but rather seek out the broadest perspectives – Adam Grant.

Prophetic Decree: Let the channels of your Spirit open for divine creativity and innovations, in Jesus name.

Prayer Focus 

1. Holy Spirit, please flood my heart with light for creativity, in the name of Jesus.

2. I receive the audacity and the tenacity to pursue my God-given ideas, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, you are the Spirit of inspiration, overshadow my heart, in Jesus name. 

4. Creativity for generation wealth, my life is available, in Jesus name. 

5. Destiny helpers that will promote my creative ideas, manifest by fire, in Jesus name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130