Mrs. Favour Abutu, a fruits and vegetables seller, speaks to IFEOLUWA ALADE on why she opted to sell fruits even though she has the qualifications, abilities and resources to engage in a white-collar job or other businesses. Excerpts:
With many businesses available, why did you choose to sell fruits?
As a married woman, I need a business that will give me enough time for myself and my family.
It is not that I lack the ability to engage in another trade, but I like this business. That is why I chose this. I won’t call it passion per say, it was just something that matched with my situation and I felt it wasn’t bad.
How many years have you been in this business?
I have been selling fruits for eight years now.
Have you ventured into anything else in previous years?
Yes, I am a graduate and I have my BSc in accounting. I have worked as a teller for three years.
Why did you leave your previous job to become a trader?
Well, as I said, this business is good for me as a wife and mother; and personally, I’m able to enjoy my time.
I make decisions that concern my business, I am the business of my own and I don’t answer to anybody. I don’t have to wait for someone to make decisions for me.
I can decide to take a week break and I won’t be getting queries from anyone. This business is just really comfortable for me as a wife and mother.
How profitable can you say this business is?
Let me explain it this way. When I used to work in the bank, my salary was N80,000, that was my pay for a month.
I have made N80,000 in a week in this fruit business and it is still in my comfort. I am not saying working in an office is bad because everyone’s choice is different, and what works for you might not work for others.
What are the challenges or risks you go through as a trader?
I will say it is risky and we experience a lot of challenges.
One of them is the weather, especially when it rains. Most of the time, the rain starts and ends in my head because there is nowhere to run to and I have to protect my goods.
Other challenges are the state government and local government council; they can come up with different policies.
Sometimes we would have to vacate the stall and move to a completely different place, we lose customers and we have to start again in another place.
Do you have any regrets as you are not doing what you studied in school?
Education is very important, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Although, if the economy is good and favorable to all, I might consider working in an office; but that is not my plan and of course going to school is helping me.
At least, I am able to communicate well with my customers and I can decide to make use of my certificate at any time, I can also decide to expand.
In fact, I hope to expand, and of course, my accounting skills will be applied. So I have no regrets whatsoever. My certificate has not gone to waste and I am proud of it anytime.
Do you advise youths that are trying to start up their life to venture into this business?
It is a thing of choice and also, if they have substantial capital, it is something they can venture into. It doesn’t have to be a road side business like mine.
With good capital, they can be suppliers or they can brand their market very well. And like I said, there is profit in this business. So, why not? As long as they have a good amount of capital and they build their business well.
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