The Digest:
Before becoming a billionaire businessman and establishing Zenon Oil, Femi Otedola was selling diesel door-to-door from a van. In his memoir, "Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business," he reflects on his early struggles and lessons in entrepreneurship.
Key Points:
- Femi Otedola started selling diesel in drums from door to door.
- Despite facing jokes from friends, he remained focused on his responsibility to his family.
- Realized the vast demand for diesel due to the country’s power shortages.
- Developed an ambitious marketing strategy, hiring a team of young, driven women.
- Zenon Oil quickly grew, supplying big companies like Nestlé, Dangote, and Coca-Cola.
- The company expanded, grossing $6 million in sales monthly before the 2009 oil crash.
- Otedola emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and maximizing them.
Otedola’s rise from humble beginnings to business success underscores the value of resilience and the strategic identification of market opportunities. The story emphasizes that no task is beneath someone focused on success.
Sources: TheCable, Punch, Premium Times
