So I got into a discussion with a friend one evening as we watched the news
on the sale of whatsapp to Facebook for $16 billion. As inconsequential as
whatsapp may have been a few years ago, the commercial value placed on it by
Facebook is definitely something to think about. Who would have thought it will
be such a hit few years later? My friend went on to recount his experience in
2008 when he was offered equity in one of the leading online businesses in
Nigeria and he refused because he didn’t think it was a viable investment at
that time. Six years later, the business is worth $40 million, what else will
be his reaction if not the pain of a missed opportunity.Often times this sort of opportunities come our way and I find that we never really give ourselves the opportunity to consider the viability of such opportunities. We are usually closed and hardly give it any thought but what if my friend gave the offering a thought, what if he decided to take it further? Probably read or talk to a professional in that area about the viability of such an opportunity? Better still, what if he asked for more details?
Do not get me wrong, some other opportunities have been considered and they never made it to the market- this is the risk element to investing in start-ups. They present a high level of risk, but if they eventually go right, the reward is usually very compensating. Besides the financial reward, such investment really gives you a feel that you are contributing to economic growth and of course on a lighter note makes you feel like a prophet when it turns out right.
A lot of opportunities are flying around, please do not close your mind, give yourself the opportunity to think about it, endeavor to discuss it, seek more details, because you may just be one decision away from a million dollar investment. So…do something as the opportunity arises, so that something will not do you in future…#Selah
