Ikedichi and I crossed paths for the first time five years ago as students at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Back then, I was running an e-commerce business on campus going by the name Adosmint. Despite big ambitions and even bigger investments in branding, I was struggling to find profits.
In walked my soon-to-be business co-founder and brother-in-spirit - Ikedichi. A marketing wizard able to weave magic growth strategies. He came on board to revive fortunes for Adosmint. We toiled for months optimizing everything possible. But the tides just wouldn’t turn.
As luck would have it, that failure planted seeds for long-term success. Because we refused to give up the hustle.
The Search for Wins
In 2020, Ikedichi and I joined forces to launch Digital Funnel - a digital marketing agency catering to SMEs and startups in Nigeria. We found modest success in helping clients drive more traffic and sales online. The wins motivated us to keep collaborating.
Soon we wondered if the magic formula could translate to personal ventures too. So we leaped into various e-commerce experiments - from attempting trade-by-barter models to selling abroad. But things never quite reached escape velocity.
However, a particular business concept got traction locally. A consumer goods e-commerce store back in Lagos that tapped into surging online shopping demand. We rode the wave, achieving profitability month after month. Yet, fate had other plans.
One persistent problem kept growth in check - dysfunctional logistics. The buckling supply chain infrastructure meant endless delays, damaged shipments, and headaches for us as well as our customers.
The Breakthrough Idea
"There has to be a better way!" Ikedichi and I would often exclaim after apologizing to yet another annoyed customer impacted by logistics mayhem.
We realized solving the local goods movement dilemma meant tapping a vast opportunity. However early attempts at building escrow marketplaces around it only attracted limited trust. Eventually lightning struck - we didn't need to become the shippers...we needed to empower them!
Sphere was thus born in 2021 out of this insight. We mapped out plans for a streamlined platform enabling seamless goods delivery by connecting users with extra vehicle capacity to those needing transport assistance. Kind of like Uber, but for affordable logistics i.e. movement of small and bulk goods or belongings.
Years of entrepreneurial adventures had prepared us for this moment. I brought hands-on business-building experience. Ikedichi, the Sharp digital mindset and strategic rigor. Together, we are now on a quest to transform logistics access across Africa starting in Nigeria.
We survived enough false starts and fiery crashes to fuel patience and persistence. But the journey also gifted us vision. Now, we see the immense possibilities ahead to impact mobility, supply chains, and beyond with Sphere at the center steering progress. Business success is the vehicle, but positive change is the real destination.
Are you ready to join us on this ride into the future? Got any goods needing transport within your city? Sign up by searching and downloading the 'SPHERE USER' on The Play Store or click here to download
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