0) After #10years, I know that the humility to seek and listen to other views is critical for all founders.
But what is even more important is the ability to trust your intuition and act decisively even when you are wrong.
The naysayers will keep talking anyway.
A thread
But what is even more important is the ability to trust your intuition and act decisively even when you are wrong.
The naysayers will keep talking anyway.
A thread
1) They said you couldn’t trust Nigerians to pay back unsecured loans
-We set up a debt collection company and found that there were millions of Nigerians looking to soar, and began the 10 year @get_carbon journey
-We set up a debt collection company and found that there were millions of Nigerians looking to soar, and began the 10 year @get_carbon journey
2) They said you could’t lend to strangers, people you had never met with in person
-We pioneered digital lending in Nigeria and began lending to people who ultimately became our friends and supporters. #HumansOfCarbon we hail you
-We pioneered digital lending in Nigeria and began lending to people who ultimately became our friends and supporters. #HumansOfCarbon we hail you
3) They said “family banks” were bad for the system and gave example of where such had been the source of financial abuse
-We said where trust, common values and a higher purpose exist, only good things shall prosper
-We said where trust, common values and a higher purpose exist, only good things shall prosper
4) They said “fintech” was all vibes, tech bros just making noise backed by exuberant Venture Capitalists
-We have been audited by KPMG from day one, were the first to fintech to publish our accounts and obtain the first credit rating on the continent
-We have been audited by KPMG from day one, were the first to fintech to publish our accounts and obtain the first credit rating on the continent
5) They the investors said “grow grow, grow, grow, aren’t you ambitious?”
-We said “Satan get thee behind me” (only in our heads though ; no such bravery yet!) and have continued to focus on sustainable, product led growth
-We said “Satan get thee behind me” (only in our heads though ; no such bravery yet!) and have continued to focus on sustainable, product led growth
6) They said how can you compete against others with much larger funding, distribution, resources. When the banks start then you are toast!
- We said the market is big enough for everyone, but as long as customer satisfaction is the key to success, we will always be in the game
- We said the market is big enough for everyone, but as long as customer satisfaction is the key to success, we will always be in the game
7) They the customers said “but your interest rates are too high”
-We said, “don’t be annoyed, ehn. Please manage this @zerobycarbon product where you can buy anything, shop anywhere at 0% interest. You are welcome my people”
-We said, “don’t be annoyed, ehn. Please manage this @zerobycarbon product where you can buy anything, shop anywhere at 0% interest. You are welcome my people”
They are now saying…
But we are no longer listening 🤪
But we are no longer listening 🤪
That's a wrap!
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2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
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