I am Precious Forcados, and my inspiration to start a business consulting firm, “Biztraction Consulting,” started during the early days of telecommunication and bulk messaging in Nigeria as an undergraduate student. During this time, I envisioned starting a business that provides value-added services on the telephony infrastructure, beginning with bulk messaging. However, when I started my business three years later, I observed a lack of entrepreneurship platforms guiding aspiring entrepreneurs. This realization inspired me to create a platform to support entrepreneurs and share the knowledge gained from my journey.
- Describe the core mission and objectives of your website. What specific problems or challenges does it aim to address for aspiring entrepreneurs?
The core mission of our website is to empower aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa and across the globe by providing them with comprehensive resources and guidance. We aim to address the challenges of starting and growing a business by offering information on business ideas, how to start a business, and the business registration process. Our goal is to make navigating the entrepreneurial journey more accessible and less daunting.
- What are the key features and resources available on your website to assist entrepreneurs in their business endeavors?
Our website offers a wide range of features and resources, including step-by-step guides on starting a business, informative articles on various business topics, templates for business plans and registration, and access to expert advice through our consulting firm, “Biztraction Consulting.”
- How do you curate and update the content on your website to ensure it remains relevant and valuable for users?
We maintain the relevance and value of our content through regular research, market analysis, and feedback from our users. Our team also works diligently to update existing content and add new resources to keep entrepreneurs informed about the latest trends and best practices.
- Could you share any success stories or testimonials from entrepreneurs who have benefited from your website? How do you measure the impact of your platform?
Over 15k people currently access our website every month. While this is a drop of water in the ocean of our goals, we have received numerous feedback and testimonials from entrepreneurs who have used our resources to start and grow their businesses. We measure the impact of our platform through user feedback, the number of businesses successfully launched, and the growth and sustainability of those businesses. One example that comes to mind is a business that is making waves in the educational space (Fasthire). Through direct consultations, the business has grown from a solo founder to almost a team of ten.
- Building a sustainable online resource for entrepreneurs often involves challenges. Can you share some of the major hurdles you faced during the development and growth of your website and how you overcame them?
One of the major hurdles we faced was initially gaining visibility and attracting users to our website. We overcame this by implementing a robust content marketing strategy and leveraging social media platforms to reach our target audience. We also had to deal with hosting issues as the traffic to our website increased, and we had to move to a better hosting company. Additionally, we continuously improve our content based on user feedback to retain and engage our audience.
- How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in entrepreneurship to provide accurate and up-to-date information on your website?
We stay updated by actively monitoring industry trends, attending relevant conferences and seminars, and maintaining a network of experts and professionals in the entrepreneurship field. This allows us to provide our users with the most accurate and up-to-date information. Our people are also passionate about what we are building, and we also get feedback from the businesses we work with.
- How do you maintain the quality and credibility of the information and advice provided on your platform? Are there any partnerships or collaborations that contribute to this?
We maintain quality and credibility by conducting thorough research and ensuring our content meets industry standards. We also collaborate with reputable organizations and experts in the field of entrepreneurship and other entrepreneurs to provide authoritative advice and insights to our users.
- Can you discuss any plans for expanding or enhancing your website’s offerings? What can users expect in terms of future updates or additions?
We have ambitious plans to expand our website’s offerings by introducing more interactive features, community business funding, grant opportunities, and forums and webinars to facilitate community engagement, learning, and business growth. We also aim to provide specialized resources for various industries and business sectors to cater to a broader audience.
- As an entrepreneur, what are some valuable lessons you’ve learned from your journey that you would like to pass on to those using your website?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of persistence and adaptability. The entrepreneurial journey is filled with challenges, but staying committed to your goals and being willing to adapt to changing circumstances can lead to success. For instance, I have been in and out of 9-5 employment just to keep things going and learn firsthand from different industries.
- How do you engage with your website’s community of users? Are there any interactive features or forums where entrepreneurs can connect and share their experiences?
We engage with our community through social media and email newsletters. Interactive features like forums and discussion boards where entrepreneurs can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from one another will be added in the future.
- What are your long-term goals and vision for this website? How do you see it evolving in the next few years?
Our long-term vision is to establish our website as a go-to resource for entrepreneurs in Africa and beyond. We plan to expand our consulting services, develop a mobile app for greater accessibility, and continue expanding our content and community engagement efforts.
- Could you share any insights or trends you’ve observed within the entrepreneurial landscape through your website’s interactions and data?
Through our interactions and data, we’ve observed a growing interest in technology-driven businesses and an increased focus on sustainability and social entrepreneurship. These trends have influenced the content and resources we provide to cater to evolving entrepreneurial needs.
- How do you handle feedback and suggestions from users? Have there been any notable changes or improvements made based on user input?
We highly value user feedback and actively encourage it. We have made several improvements to our website based on user suggestions, including the addition of specific content topics, improved navigation, and enhanced user interfaces.
- What advice would you offer to other aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the online information and support space?
Just a few days ago, I spoke with the founder of “HEMACNG,” an online platform whose aim is to provide easy access to state-of-the-art medical, laboratory, and physiotherapy equipment. The same advice I gave to him is the same advice I would share here. Thoroughly research your target audience’s needs and pain points and why they should buy from you. Understanding this will help you tailor your content and resources to address these needs and continuously seek feedback to refine your products or services. Also, don’t forget to build a strong community and stay committed to your mission, which would be the key to your success in this space.
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