It’s been over two years since my last article and just as long since I considered myself a full-time entrepreneur. In that time, I was a Corps Member (NYSC) and an English Studies teacher at a Junior Secondary School (Middle School) here in Abuja. I like to think I made a difference in the lives of my students. In this sense, being a teacher was very fulfilling.

Throughout that time however, I never stopped thinking about HMJServices and I just couldn’t wait to get back to work. Now that I’m back, I’m dipping my toes in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial scene, as showcased beautifully on social media, and I must say that it’s good to be back.

Take it from someone who knows, here are some things you’ll miss if you’re not plugged in to Nigeria’s entrepreneurial scene right now.

New Brands, Better Services

As the success stories grow, more young people dare to start something of their own. They bring with them an enthusiasm that’s contagious and ideas that shake things up by showing us how much better we can be.

One business that stands out in this way is Printivo. They offer first-class print services at affordable rates. They’re very social and their brand is very well-crafted. Take one look at Printivo’s Twitter feed and you’ll be tempted to print something.

Printivo’s website also offers graphic designers a chance to set up online stores to sell their own designs. By empowering smaller business owners in this way, Printivo has won many fans, myself included. [Read more about Printivo]

[As of April 2016, I understand Printivo is rebuilding the stores section of their website. It would be nice to see how this feature will be utilized by Nigeria’s talented graphic designers]

The Revolution is Visual

Many young Nigerians have found entrepreneurial success through photography. We have gained from their success by the volume of good images which celebrate all things Nigerian.

Event and fashion photography are obvious examples of this. But there’s more. Images of Nigerian cuisine, art, and landscape are also hugely popular on social media.

Nigerian food bloggers have a growing fan base well beyond Nigeria’s borders. @naijalazychef, who made CNN’s list of top 5 African food bloggers, is a good example of how young Nigerians use authentic imagery to make useful content more compelling.

With that kind of exposure, business opportunities will come knocking and the virtuous cycle from compelling visual to profit will continue. [See more of Nigerian Lazy Chef]

Fashion Parades

It’s about beautiful clothes, distinctive brands and home-grown confidence. Above all, it’s about aspiration. The fashion buzz which took hold over a decade ago continues. Its tide has lifted many young Nigerians and enthusiasm continues to build around the prospects of a booming fashion industry.

Beyond annual fashion weeks, Social media is the perfect place to keep up because this is where many designers share their visions of style. Ultimately, fashion is about aspiration. What I find most remarkable is how this fashion awakening has enriched our aspirations. There are fashion brands for us to grow with and others to grow into.

This hold on our imagination shows us that many of our budding fashion houses have what it takes to endure through the years. Personally, I like Eve & Tribe. Their designs are elegantly simple and polished. I also enjoy their brief but compelling email newsletters. Which Nigerian fashion brand is your favourite?

Levelling the Terrain

Opportunities, Opportunities, Opportunities. There are more of them everyday. While setting up as an entrepreneur isn’t exactly a cake walk, there are many who’re working to level the terrain.

In a little over a year, we’ve had the Tony Elumelu Foundation, She Leads Africa, Young African Leaders Initiative, to name a few, creating unique fora for Africans to learn and eventually set up their own businesses. That’s not all. The investor culture is maturing. Soon the benefits of VC and Angel investing will be felt by more young people eager to take the entrepreneurial leap.

As more opportunities emerge, young people also become better informed about the concepts and skills they need to have in order to start globally competitive businesses. In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, the entrepreneurial bug is yet to reach its peak.