Combining pest control and cleaning services propel my business — Hamza

Take us through your journey into the business. I stumbled into it, I worked with a pest control company named Orkin pest control, I was trained in Dubai in 2011. During my service year, I always maintained that the pest pressure level in Nigeria is very high compared to other countries. Before we see pests […]

Take us through your journey into the business.

I stumbled into it, I worked with a pest control company named Orkin pest control, I was trained in Dubai in 2011. During my service year, I always maintained that the pest pressure level in Nigeria is very high compared to other countries. Before we see pests as a problem is when they constitute a serious nuisance. Then in 2011, we only had a few companies and my vision was for them to incorporate cleaning services into pest control as a complementary service so as to always give the marketers options to close a deal. So, in 2016 I started what I had always preached about.

 

What made you start a pest control service which we all know there is a poor appetite for professional service for it?

Till date we still lack professional services and my competitors are those outside the country with good service delivery. What made me start this business was the pursuit for financial independence later but I found deep passion in the business eventually.

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However, to be honest with myself, my driving force was to create a business that will give me financial freedom and since I chose service, I have to fall in love with it. I am extremely passionate about what I do. As a matter of fact, one of my siblings advised me to look into another business that is more lucrative and presentable, but I knew the food was in the mouth of the lion and I was desperate for a honest means of livelihood.

 

What were the challenges you faced?

Lack of pest education especially amongst the rich and well to do. There is also a lack of products for our business and the high rate of forex affects it. Similarly, lack of equipment is another issue. Particularly, lack of options of chemicals to be used. That is what we call pest resistance in this business and it happens when you continue to use the same product for the same pest over and over a given period. But in the west and in most European countries, there is a shift from application of chemicals to biological methods and exclusion of pests.

How were you able to promote the business that it became one of the biggest in Abuja?

Through family and friends, everyone that knows me knows my business. As a matter of fact, if you know me you will know the business that I do. But most importantly, I do a follow up after every service and never leave a client unsatisfied.  We also use the internet as a tool, if you google our business, you will see that we have almost 500 reviews and the next business to us have just about 100 reviews on google. I guess that explains it all.

 

What led to the decision to expand into other businesses?

Pest control and cleaning services go hand in hand. Sometimes, what you need is a clean environment, not pest control. We are also moving into real estate and my vision is to build an estate that is clean and pest free.

 

What are your future plans?

To continue giving top-notch pest control services and to collaborate with like minds in this industry while I pass on information and knowledge of the business to generations to come.

 

What advice do you have for youth in pursuing entrepreneurship?

Don’t give up, those people that discouraged me when I was about to start this business now sing my praises. And no one will give you a chance but you can take chances. Always, don’t let a bad business story irk your ambition. Go to where eagles dare.