If you’re running a business in Lagos or planning to set one up, here are key things to watch out for:  

- Not everyone who laughs with you is a friend. In business, some people come with hidden missions, to steal, discourage, monitor, or even bring you down. Stay focused and don’t be too loose or overly friendly.  

- Beware of bad money. Some customers may pay with damaged notes (cut, stained, or tampered). If such money mixes with your business cash unknowingly, it can weaken your finances and affect your shop.  

- Landlord issues. Some landlords, driven by agreement or commission money, may want tenants to leave after a year so they can collect fresh payments from new occupants. If that fails, they may increase rent. That’s why I advised earlier: always make thorough enquiries before paying for a shop.  

- Business decline isn’t always mismanagement. Sometimes shops go down within a year not because the owner failed, but due to hidden factors like bad money or landlord pressure.  

In all, trust God to lead you. Stay alert, stay wise, and stay strong.  

Stay tuned for more tips.  

@frozenfoods