Adeiza Shamoos Rotimi is one of Nigeria’s youths who cannot be classified as lazy. A very active entrepreneur, he has tried his hands on many things and is focused on creating value in Nigerian and African economies.
Although he hails from Kogi State, he was born in Lagos and has lived his entire life there. He attended a technical school in 2007 to learn Computer Networking & Engineering before proceeding to study Business Administration at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State.
He describes himself as a lover of art, music, technology and people. His thirst for learning and self-development has made him yearn more and more for avenues to learn both formally and informally– as an autodidact.
He started his entrepreneurship journey in 2008 when he established PE-BYTE Computers where he sold, repaired and maintained computers. Overtime, he incorporated various sectors into his business and, later in 2016, he registered his business name as Pergola Cachet PEC. Currently, Rotimi is involved in so many things, including agriculture, media production, real estate and IT-related services.
Rotimi was inspired to start these businesses because of the opportunities he found in the country. He was also inspired by his love for his country as he feels Nigeria deserves more than currently gets. He, therefore, wants to be a part of those changing the status quo and contributing to the development of the country and its economy.
He also discloses that when he was about to start his business, his mum supported him by getting his first computer. He was also supported by other friends along the line.
Giving an overview of his business, he mentions that he started with the agro food processing and sale of residential and commercial properties but he always had a bigger vision in mind for real estate.
He said, “In the area of agro-food processing, we harvest, process, package garri (cassava flakes) and the 3-in-1 ‘bloom chips’ which hasve well-processed and organically-flavoured potato, plantain and cocoyam”
“The idea around the real estate is the rent-to-own properties which involve renting a room, apartment or building for a specific period of time (10-15years) and at a fixed rate and you own it later.”
Speaking on his business expansion plan, he says that “I just incorporated logistics and transport services into my business group. I am currently working on a business model that will have a major impact on the real estate sector and, if perfectly executed, can also impact positively on other sectors in the country”.
He adds that plans have also been set in motion for the rent-to-own housing and commercial property plan which has its financing centred on sponsorship in the course of its establishment.
Evaluating his business growth since he started, he says it has not been easy. He explains that he almost gave up on everything, especially when his business was at some point threatened by people he trusted.
“I outsource jobs more now than having permanent staff members. I believe more in collaboration and partnership. Moreover, it costs more to retain staff members these days,” he says.
When he started his business, he did not have any problem with funding because he understood that service-related business required very little or no start-up capital except for the tools involved. Furthermore, he leveraged other people’s resources, instead of using his money, to source for tools or materials and he also did a lot of field studies and applied the ‘Know Your Customer/Consumers (KYC)’ approach before launching projects.
He states that although institutions like Paylater, Branch International and Renmoney have been helpful, it is advisable to remain determined, focused and objective when loans are involved. He further says that there is a need to always have a back-up plan in case previous plans encounter hitches.
“My business was recently almost sabotaged by a trusted staff member of mine, and this almost cost me everything. All I had left, and never knew could come in handy, was the understanding of what my clients saw in me.”
Advising other entrepreneurs, he says, “Let that eagle in you fly. It’s not going to be easy. You will experience shedding of old wings and the birth of news ones. People will aim guns at you with words or with any negative instrument. You will also meet great minds, experience pain but also fulfilment when you succeed.”
The outstanding entrepreneur says that he is inspired by various people including Steve Jobs, Bashar Masri, Mike Adenuga and Aliko Dangote, adding that he does not pick mentors based on their character, rather on their achievements and the value they offer.
Gbemi Faminu
