I know you wouldn’t want to hear this because it might sound strange, but the fact is that you don’t need financial capital to start a business. What you need is credibility and a solution.
You see, when people say they need “capital” to start a business, what they often mean is, “I want to skip the process and jump to the reward.” But business doesn’t work like that.
My Story: How I Started Without Capital
I remember clearly when I started one of my earliest design and printing ventures in my bedroom in the village. I didn’t have money stacked somewhere to run it as a business. But I had passion, I had ideas, I had energy, and I had this deep hunger to succeed.
No money was waiting for me. No rich uncle had written me a cheque. So what did I do? I served at a business centre on Mbari Street—for free.
I used my service as capital. I used my ideas as currency. I used my reputation as collateral.
I learned how to sell what I had—my design and packaging skills. I helped others succeed. I studied how businesses worked from the inside. Slowly, my name started to carry weight. People began to associate me with solutions, excellence, and integrity. That’s when opportunities started chasing me, and that’s when I met Barr. Anselem Mbadiwe Okorie.
Credibility Over Money
Let me tell you something: nobody gives money to people with good intentions alone.
People give money to those who can be trusted and who can deliver results. That trust is built over time, not just on paper. That’s credibility.
But today, a lot of young people want to raise 5 million naira to start a business they have never tested. They want office space, big logos, staff, and to answer CEO—but with no customers, no experience, no proof. That’s not business. That’s fantasy.
My first few chapters of success were written with sweat, sacrifice, and service. It didn’t start with capital.
I know many young Nigerians who have turned street hawking into full-fledged supply businesses because they focused on serving, learning, showing results, and building relationships.
The Real Question
Now, the question is not “Do you have money?”
The real question is, “Can you solve a problem?”
So, if you are reading this and thinking your life hasn’t started because you don’t have capital, I want you to change that thinking today.
- Start where you are.
- Use what you have.
- Serve someone.
- Sell something.
- Show results.
- And most importantly, keep showing up.
Credibility and solutions are the new capital. And when you carry that kind of capital, you will never lack money.
Your business journey is not delayed because of money. It is waiting for you to grow up in value and solutions.
That’s why I’m telling this story—not to impress you, but to remind you that you don’t need 5 million naira to start. You need one person to believe in you—after you have served and proven you can be trusted.
I am your favourite Billionaire Mechanic, and I believe you can start building your business without begging for financial capital.
Please share this post—our younger ones need to read it.