By Kola Alhassan
Simbiat Olabisi Adebayo is an entrepreneur that refuses to be daunted by challenges in her business despite what she terms ‘unfavourable market and government policies’.
Adebayo is the CEO of B.Olabisi Chickens located at Sangotedo market Eti-Osa East in Lagos.
She continues to move on with her chicken and poultry business amid the odds.
Speaking in an interview, Adebayo noted that her passion for business and the desire to ensure people eat healthy meat led to the business.
Her words: “My major inspiration is my strength, my passion and healthy feeding.
First, I am strong and I know it. I grew up doing all chores, though it wasn’t easy for me, I’m now used to it.
“Second, I have passion for business and since the chicken business is what my mum does, I put my strength into it. Also, I want everyone to eat healthy because white meat is good for the body and that’s chicken.”
Adebayo, who said she started her business in 2019, noted that it has been remarkable despite teething problems.
“It has been a part time business since 2012 but in 2019 I became involved in the business fully. It has been awesome.”
However, like most private businesses, she attributes inadequate capital as a principal challenge to Small and Medium Enterprises. She added that despite a lack of funds, she has continued to battle it out and keep her head above the waters.
Adebayo further underscored the need for young entrepreneurs to have funds.
“The major challenge I have faced and still facing is capital.
Adebayo has superb strategies to beat off competition from others, ranging from free delivery to reduction of prices and discount for referrals.
Her words:”In an open market like mine, I beat my fellow competitors with difference in price with a reduction of two hundred naira from the normal price, free delivery to first timers, discounts for referrals, and availability for 14hrs everyday.”
The young entrepreneur wants an enabling environment for young business owners to grow. She slams the Nigerian environment for ‘unnecessary and incessant hike in the prices of commodities, unfavorable governmental and market policies, low demand,’ among others.
Nevertheless, in a passionate appeal to government, Adebayo said: “Government should assist SMEs, like mine with the provision of funds (loans) with less interest rate to enhance our business.”
“Establish supervisory bodies to look into the commercial banks that give out loans and how it’s being utilised.
“Since we are not salary earners, there should be consideration for us at banks that require salary accounts.”
Apart from selling live and butchered chicken, she has expanded her business with the sales of poultry farming tools such as feeders, drinkers, defeathering machine, instruments for battery cage, transferring cage, among others.
Adebayo has dreams. In 5 years, she wants to have a wider reach all over the country. She wants to have a heavy presence in all 36 states, be the best chicken dealer and also employ and train youths on livestock marketing.
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