At the OrangeSummit Tweetchat back in July, the Twitterviewer asked Bankole Oluwafemi if technology really cuts across all businesses.
@TheOrangeSummit Garri seller? Use WhatsApp to contact loyal customers, let them know when the real Ijebu one is available #futureofbusiness
— Bankole Oluwafemi (@MrBankole) July 16, 2015
He added:
@TheOrangeSummit They could use A>B testing via broadcast groups to figure out which version of garri is doing better, LOL #futureofbusiness
— Bankole Oluwafemi (@MrBankole) July 16, 2015
[*Garri: A local dried starchy flour made from cassava. It is a staple snack in South West Nigeria and is considered to be popular among the poor and lower middle class.]
Perhaps the most fascinating thing about entrepreneurship post-2000 is that it’s become easier and more affordable to start businesses. Startup capital has reduced as previously prohibitive technologies became more popular.
One of the technologies that has become commmonplace are our phones, or more accurately, smartphones. And they have become more powerful too. So much they can become the first corporate headquarters for your small business.
If you ever wondered what businesses you can start without breaking the bank or, for an ecommerce business, forking over N400, 000 ($1,900) for a digital storefront, pop a squat:
1: A Garri distribution network
Those tweets up there share some nifty ideas about starting your garri distribution network via Whatsapp. Granted, this business may not run entirely from your phone – you have to take care of the supply side by maybe actually going to Ijebu and you may have to build out your inventory – but a chunk of the business is from your phone; your contacts. It’s how you keep clients engaged with the latest stuff. And by all means A>B test the merchandize. Send out free samples. Execute promos. This can be big.
2: Tour services
You live in a small town? Or maybe a big town with some attractions? Or maybe a campus with the most amazing landmarks like the one I graduated from (shrugs). You can be a tour guide. Put up your mobile number/BBM PIN/Twitter handle – or whatever else – where it can be seen. When the calls come in, discuss price. You know what next. You can have a network of tour guides that you contract some gigs to. Have in mind these guides need to know what they are talking about on these trips.
3: Outsourced call center for startups
Are you great with people? Can you convince folks that the static they’ve been seeing on their satellite TV for the past three days is part of scheduled programming? Or you can live through a call like this with a straight face. Well, rig up a customer care outpost with your mobile phone.
You’ll need experience and connects to kick this off, but not a lot. Start with a friend’s startup for instance. Help manage inbounds; inquiries and customer complaints. Instead of outsourcing to TaskUs or Zendesk or some big shot business development exec, let them know you can do it for half the price. All you need do is read up on the startup, lock down the FAQs and refer to the right department when there is an issue beyond you. Read up on their competition, their offerings; generally all there is to know about the company you are working for and those in the space as it is. You can grow your team anyhow to manage other startups. Your proposition is affordable pricing.
4: Counselling
This might be a bit of a stretch, because you have to be an expert of some sort. You know, have experience and the t-shirt to prove it. Because, no one should really listen to a single tell married folks how to have a blissful married life, or a Tweeter with 200 followers tell how to grow Twitter following by 5000 percent. If you do have all that checked, however, begin sharing your core skills and deliverables with your network. You might say, someone with all that experience can’t be as broke as to begin a counselling service on mobile phone. First, you’d be surprise. Second, yeah, it’ll certainly be a good side business. Remote counselling. Clarity is only a more streamlined and expensive iteration of a business like this.
5: Gas delivery
I hate it when we run out of gas. It’s worse because those cylinders finish at the most infelicitous times. I will be a sucker for an invention that tells how much longer a gas will last – in hours – so houses can plan along. Sadly, that’s not a business you can start with only your mobile. Or maybe you can. But Gas delivery. Heck yes! Get contacts for gas depots around your neighbourhood, cut a deal with them, perhaps a commission on each cylinder delivered. Share your contact around town for growth. Word of mouth is your best growth strategy here. This is obviously an hyperlocal business, but it can scale in a way. You know how businesses are. Your proposition is gas on delivery. Call it Uber for gas if you like.
6: Radar: Your own forum
The other day I woke up to find I had been added to a Whatsapp group where people discussed relationship. I wasn’t amused and was about to delete the group when I thought to look around a bit. I realized unlike most public forums of similar fashion, the conversation was sane and civil. There is no going off-topic and those who do are gently warned of their ways. Well, I still left after a while, I’m not keen on love and relationship. While I don’t know what’s going on in that group any longer, I’m convinced anyone can build that and make a good business case for it too. Find a topic or industry you are passionate about and get friends together to talk about it. Have them invite friends with similar interest over and actively drive conversation. That is the story of Radar right there. You could even have your own AMAs. Advertising is the most natural way to monetize, but if you need permission to explore your options, you just got it.
7: Ecommerce store
We all have that one friend whose DP is a religiously updated reel of products s/he is selling. The DP is the product gallery and the PMs is the description and price roll-up. That is e-commerce or more appropriately, m-commerce. Pure and simple. Listing on C2C marketplaces is also a fantastic idea. OLX and Efritin really are not just for hand downs you want to dispose off, they could be your first digital storefront.
More businesses you can begin from your phone:
8: A YouTube channel
9: A social betting network
10: A crowdfunding network
11: Elite Scrabble league
12: Social Media management
13: Content strategzing / Freelance writing
14: Tutorial service
15: Taxi services listing
16: Selling airtime recharge
17: Digital house agent
18: Hyperlocal Hair stylists’ listing
19: Laundry services listing
20: Proofreading and editing
21: Deck designing
22: Hyperlocal noodles delivery
23: Shawarma listing
24: Digital artistry
25: Programming
26: Photography
27: Collection agency
28: Home care and cleaning
29: Barter services
30: Hyperlocal Airbnb
31: Crowdfunding service
32: Generator repair guys listing
33: Soup delivery service
34: Personal grocery shopping service
This post is brought to you in partnership with WeChat, the all-in-one free messaging app that allows you connect with those that matter the most to you. WeChat is powering the first AfricaBeta event in partnership with Techcabal. AfricaBeta is coming up on October 3rd. Go here to attend or here to pitch an idea. Read more about AfricaBeta.
Photo Credit: Roozbeh Rokni via Compfight cc
