Entrepreneurship Conspiracy

Do not be deceived, no institution in the world has the key to your breakthrough. You can't go far sitting down in any classroom learning business under a professor who has never lost a dime in business. All he teaches you are academic theories postulated ages ago.

A friend of mine abandoned his MBA class the day a lecturer came to the class with an envelope; his Mum was having Harvest Thanksgiving in her church. He distributed these envelopes to all students requesting their contributions. The higher the money you put therein, the higher your marks. He quit that course and walked away.

Hear this true life story.

I know a guy by name Tayo. He has a great grandmother who was in her late 90s. Tayo was her favorite great grandson because he was the only one in the entire family that visited her once in two months to clean her up and her room.

This old woman traded in kola nuts for over 70 years until she could not walk again but yet her business sense is impeccable.

One day, Tayo who had been hustling with no steady job won American visa lottery. He pursued it relentlessly until the last point. N500,000 for ticket and BTA.

All his efforts to raise this money was abortive and time was running out when he remembered it’s time to travel to Ile-Ife and fix great-grandmother.

He got there and she was so glad to see this unique great grandson. But this visit was different. Tayo who used to work singing and excited was cold but diligently doing his routine.

As old as this woman was, she makes sure she cooks for Tayo on the last day before Tayo leaves for Lagos. As Tayo was eating that day, she asked him what the matter was.

Tayo told her not to bother that his challenge was out of reach for the old woman but God would show up soon. But the old woman insisted that Tayo should share his trouble with her.

Tayo tried his best to tell her the way she would understand. She was not literate, but well informed in her own class. "So all your problem is N500,000? Follow me." She said.

She led Tayo into her bedroom and ask Tayo to remove the ancient carpet. She instructed him to remove another layer. She said Tayo should clear the sand on the surface until Tayo met an old leather sack.

Tayo was shocked to see N3.5million plus under the earth in the room of this old woman.

She said "Tayo, you are a special child. I have been watching everyone. This is all I have. I traded in kola nuts for over 70 years. When my legs were weak I sent people to buy and sell and return my money but I stopped 5 years ago.

Take the amount you need and cover it back. Tell no one until I die. I don't need anybody's money for my burial. As you hear the news of my death, fly back home and show them this spot."

Now my question is:

• Which Harvard taught that woman Trade and Commerce?

• Who taught her systems and performance measurement that lasted over 7 decades?

• Who was her account officer?

I am not against the place of learning, but I am against the mindset of being an educational derelict. The real class is your private discoveries out there in the streets. Principles are universal but the approach is methodological.

Friends, It’s not what you don't have that limits you, rather it’s what you have and you don't know how to use that really limits you.

©INI Patrick