A Legacy Lost
Aminu was born into privilege. His father, a highly respected spice merchant in Kano, Nigeria, had built a thriving business with a reputation that stretched across West Africa. From a young age, Aminu spent his days in his father’s shop, absorbing the trade like second nature. He watched how his father negotiated deals, nurtured relationships, and, most importantly, ensured that every spice met the highest quality standards. His father often reminded him:
“A merchant’s wealth is in his relationships.”
But everything changed in an instant.
When his father suddenly passed away, Aminu barely had time to grieve before his uncle took control of the business. At first, the changes were subtle. Then, they became impossible to ignore. His uncle cut corners, diluted the spices, and treated customers as mere transactions rather than valued partners. Within months, the business’s reputation began to crumble.
Aminu tried to intervene, but his uncle dismissed him. Then, one evening, he overheard a conversation that shattered his hopes.
“Aminu is just a boy,” his uncle scoffed. “He thinks he knows business because he followed his father around. But this isn’t his shop anymore. I will train Musa in the art of trade so that I can pass the company to him when he gets of age.”
That night, reality sank in—Aminu had no future there.
Not long after, his uncle forced Aminu and his mother out of their home, leaving them with nothing.
Starting Over: The Birth of an Idea
At just 16, Aminu had no choice but to leave. He took a grueling job as a motor boy on a truck, hauling goods across Nigeria for meagre pay. The long hours and relentless conditions were a harsh contrast to the life he once knew.
Then, one evening, after yet another exhausting trip to Lagos, Aminu sat with his friend Sule, eating suya. As he chewed, something felt off.
“The suya here doesn’t taste the same,” he muttered. “The spices are wrong. If only someone brought the real ones from home…”
Sule glanced up, curiosity in his eyes.
“Why not you?”
Aminu hesitated. “With what money? I’ve barely saved twenty thousand naira over the last two years. That’s nothing.”
Sule shook his head. “That’s enough. My uncle started his stall with less than that. Bring a small batch on your next trip, and I’ll take you to the head of our local community. If they like it, they’ll ask for more.”
Aminu dismissed the idea at first. He had spent so long just trying to survive that the thought of building something felt impossible. But something in Sule’s voice lingered.
What if it worked?
On his next trip, Aminu brought a small batch of spices. He delivered them to the contact Sule had arranged—and waited. A few days later, an order came in. Then another. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Little did he know, that small step would lay the foundation for something far greater.
A New Beginning in the UK
Twenty years later, another journey was about to begin—this time, in London.
Kunle arrived in the UK full of optimism, determined to build a better future for his family. But reality was far harsher than he had expected. His warehouse job paid just enough to cover the bills, leaving him with little time for his wife and children. The financial pressure was relentless.
Desperate for extra income, he turned a casual interest into a side hustle. He had always been fascinated by how people prepared grilled meat at BBQs, and through volunteering at events, he became skilled at making suya. Each family and community gathering provided him with an opportunity to hone his craft. Before long, word spread, and people began hiring him for private events.
With no capital to invest, he found a way to make it work: instead of buying the ingredients himself, he would ask customers to provide them while he charged for his expertise.
This was how he juggled his side hustle—until one fateful Saturday.
Running on barely two hours of sleep from his night shift, Kunle rushed to prepare for an event, only to realise he had forgotten to buy his usual suya spice mix. In a panic, he stopped by a local African shop and grabbed the only brand left on the shelf, hoping it would do.
That evening, as he grilled, something caught his attention—the spice mix smelled different. Richer. More aromatic. It clung to the meat in a way his usual mix never did.
He made a mental note but pushed it aside.
The realisation hit later that night when guests at the party started raving about his suya on Instagram.
“This is the best suya I’ve had in London!” someone exclaimed. “How did you make it?”
Kunle concluded it must be the spice mix.
Determined to get more, he returned to the shop the next day. But when he asked for it, the shopkeeper shook his head.
“You bought the last one. It’s brought in by a customer whenever he travels to Nigeria. We don’t get it regularly. Leave your number—I’ll let you know when it comes in next time.”
Kunle complied, but the comments from the party echoed in his mind. People weren’t just enjoying his suya—they were captivated by the authentic spice. That was the difference.
Scrolling through his Instagram comments later, he saw messages that reinforced his thoughts:
“Where do you get your spices?”
“Please, I need to order this spice!”
At that moment, an idea formed.
What if he could be the one to bring authentic Nigerian spices to the UK? What if he could introduce real, high-quality flavours to the market?
He had no way of knowing it yet, but the very spice he had used had been part of a journey that began 20 years earlier in Kano.
And soon, it would lead him directly to the man who started it all.
Reflection: A Shift in Mindset Can Change Everything
Too often, we assume success is reserved for others—those with more money, better connections, or an easier start in life. We see thriving businesses and believe their journey must have been straightforward. Yet behind every success story is someone who chose to see an opportunity where others saw limitations.
When challenges arise, it’s often easier to accept the status quo than to question it. Struggling to make ends meet, Aminu could have resigned himself to life as a motor boy, just as Kunle could have settled into the routine of his warehouse job. But sometimes, the smallest shifts in thinking open doors we never knew existed.
The difference between where you are now and where you want to be is often just one decision away. The shift happens when you stop asking, “Why is life so unfair?” and start asking, “What can I do with what I have?”
Success isn’t about making drastic, overnight changes. More often than not, it begins with a single step—just like Aminu selling his first batch of spices, or Kunle turning a small mistake into an opportunity.
How Can You Apply This to Your Business?
- Challenge your limits. What’s one thing you’ve written off as impossible? Question it.
- Spot hidden opportunities. The next big idea might be in a skill, a mistake, or something people keep asking you for.
- Start small. You don’t need vast resources—success often begins with what’s in your hands right now.
- Take action, even if you’re unsure. The perfect moment never arrives. You learn by doing.
Your breakthrough won’t always come as a grand, life-altering event. Sometimes, it’s a shift in perspective—a realisation that the door you thought was closed was slightly open all along, just waiting for you to push through.
So, what’s your one small step today? Because that step could be the start of something bigger than you ever imagined.
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