Early this morning, we had our first ever Pukena General Meeting of some of the smartest people working on different aspect of the project. The meeting started by 8.30am

I was humbled to the point of tears after the meeting....

Few months ago, Pukena was just an idea...a funny one at that..both to me and some few people I talked to about it...

It was too big and I DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO EVEN START IT!

But I had a strong belief that this is what God inspired me to do...

Today, Pukena is one of the fastest growing startups in Lagos; receiving reviews and accolades from different quarters.... don't be surprised to see me on your tv screen or hear me on your favourite radio station soon...*winks*

We are fast positioning Pukena as the one-stop shop for the best service providers in our select service categories.

Here are some of the lessons I have garnered from this journey so far:

#1 Never base your decisions on your limited resources.
There is no limitation in life apart from the limitation of the mind. Never abandon your dream. Go for insight. Insight will attract the money.
If you can see it, you can have it!

#2 You will never have everything necessary to fulfill your dream.Start with what you have and where you are.

#3 Have a strong desire in your heart.
If you have desire, passion, willingness, burden, you have enough to do anything you want in your life.

#4 When God gives a vision, He simultaneously releases the necessary resources. He doesn't release them into your hands...at once. Most resources you need for that vision are in the hands of people. You need relationship to fulfill vision. Share your vision with people.

#5 Process is everything!
Define the task or goal. Define the time limits for each goal. Conduct a detailed research of the matter or the topic. Write down a step by step detail to reach your goal. This is my greatest strength!

#6 Look for the experience of other people.
You need to find all those who have solved similar matters. Tap from their wealth of experience. I have every detail of major ecommerce sites and models both local and foreign at my finger tips.. Pukena is just a conjugate of them all.

#7 Make a model, a prototype, a breadboard model of your vision. This is called an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Solve the problem in a small scale.That's exactly what we are doing now.

#8 Make presentation Materials
Get ready to meet the big guns! Design your presentation materials indicating the problem you are trying to solve, demonstrate your solution, describe the advantages and the financial forecast. Make your vision attractive to investors!

#9 Public Relations
Find interested parties: investors, philanthropists, NGO's, present your business model to them. This is called a pitch. Spread information about the activities of your organization. You may have an angel decide to invest in your idea in exchange for equity. That's the way to go!. Better to own half of a big thriving business than all of a dying or dead idea.

#10 Bring the Paper work to God
Surprised this is coming last? lol The mentality of an average African is that God will build your business for you. Nah!
You prove to God that all work has been done. That's faith. Then expect a miracle.

Emmanuel Udeagha
Founder/ CEO, Pukena Concierge Services Nig Ltd