Aliyu Abubakar Tafida is a 24 years old Ceo of a food processing and supply company called Quickshake.He has a BSc in Information Technology and MSc in Management and International business with Finance. In this interview, with over four quickshake operational outlets already and counting, he reflected on the birth of his company, challenges, expansion, vision and lifestyle. Enjoy.
How business started for you?
I started business formally when I was 19 . A friend of mine wanted to sell his car and I thought I could find a buyer for him. I wasn't really serious about it but it was fun having such money. But yeah... I also got involved with a furniture company.
How did the idea of opening quickshake come about?
I was rounding up my masters and wanted coming back to Nigeria to establish a brand. At first I was thinking of franchising a UK or US company, but I thought they started from somewhere.....I like milkshakes personally. I felt picking up an innovation and making it suit my environment would be the best.
What's your reaction as some people have this perception of it been ladylike?
There is nothing like a ladylike business. I'm passionate about business. Even if it is a feminine line, if menstrual packs for example are going to fetch me lots of money and there's an innovation I can add to it, I would do it. It's all about numbers.
How much capital was needed to start the business with?
Well, before I started I had a business plan I budgeted, using part of my pocket money to buy machines because before I ask for money, I had to let them know how serious I was.
I took a bold step to start at Silverbird. It was a marketing strategy for me because it is a place where there is a market. It was expensive to pay the Silverbird fee. At that time, there was this zeal and commitment I had, my dad chipped in and paid the rent for me as a loan. In 6-7 months, I was able to pay him back.
Parental reaction?
My dad is a professor, he has been in civil service and been advising me against working in government. He noticed my zeal in business and advised me to formalize a brand because I'm still young and I should take advantage of the opportunities around me. I learnt business from my mom even though her business crashed and she took it as a failure. She did not want me to go through that process but looking at it, most of the people that have succeeded have failed numerous ways.
If you weren't into this, what would you have done...? Have you thought of doing something else apart from this?
No, I love what I'm doing. I love business. I love numbers. I love the fact that you can sell, cost it and make profit from it. It is an interesting game for me.
How did you break through in an environment like Nigeria, been a young person? Was there any fear?
That has always been my fear. We have this mentality especially in the north, you aren't grown until you are married or over 30 compared to the west, when you are 18,you are basically on your own, so what I did was to show them what I was capable of first, I started my business on my own, branded it, did my research so they could see what I was capable of. That year, I was able to gain that attention from them.
Challenges
There are always challenges in every business especially in Nigeria with a good market but it is a tough environment especially a business where you are selling products unlike services. There is issue of logistics, the supply chain is unbelievably hard. Then there is issue of staffing.
What's fascinating about your business since you started?
I have been able to expand to about three operational branches in less than a year especially in Abuja which is a very expensive city. Using linkage, since that's what works in Nigeria, I ceased the opportunity to open branches at an affordable price.
In one of your interviews, you passionately talked on hopefully opening over 50 branches before the end of the year. How do you plan to achieve that?
By not limiting myself to a particular environment.I have been able to get attention from countries. Someone is already planning on franchising at Cameroon.
Who inspires you?
I have been inspired by four people and in different sectors. Their stories motivate me. First of all, Dangote, Richard Brandson, Duncan Bannatyne, Hart Lab.
What's next?
I'm an IT person. I'm a tech person. I'm still going back to have a tech company although it is a holding company... There is quickshake, there is quick tech and I'm about to venture into quick real estate. With business, I look at things that will bring money. What will work.
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| Photo credit: idandija instagram |
Your day to day activities
I'm a weird person. I'm always with my laptop because I love working on branding and doing research on what to do more on my business. I love to make sure my numbers are right. I have no working hours. I probably work more at night than the day time.
What's your advise to anyone interested in venturing into this type of business?
Plan well, make sure you have everything right in terms of finances, managing operations, staffs. Also be disciplined. Don't touch your profit. Every business strives to survive. The most important thing is for the business to keep on existing. Innovate an existing business to suit your environment.
Who is Aliyu Abubakar Tafida?
My name is Aliyu Abubakar. I am 24 years old and want to make a living to have the good things in life and going through the hard process of getting these things. I love sports. I play soccer two or three times a week, I play basketball, swim, gym. I'm a very social person. Most of my friends find it hard to take me serious because I joke alot.
Any other thing you want to say?
To the northern youths, they are aspiring to get somewhere but seem to be waiting for someone to plan for them and get them to that place and it doesn't work like that. Regardless of where you are coming from. I am from a privileged home but I cease to see those privileges because it is a short term deal. You start growing when you start planning.
Quickshake will soon open at Baze University.
It was nice interviewing Mr Quickshake.
Wish him the best.
