In today’s episode of How Built It I brought you an interesting and inspiring story of a lecturer of the College of Remedial and Advanced Studies, Babura. Garba Muhammad is building a conglomerate from scratch.
Garba Muhammad was born and raised in Hadejia, a popular town in Jigawa State, Nigeria. As a child, he was surrounded by people who were passionate about herbal medicine, including his parents. His mother was particularly interested in herbal medicine and instilled in him a love for natural remedies.
Despite this, Garba never planned to enter the world of entrepreneurship himself. Instead, he pursued a career in education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a focus on Business Education from ABU Zaria. He then began working as a lecturer at the Jigawa State College of Remedial and Advanced Studies in Babura, where he taught business-related subjects to students.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and his mother fell ill, Garba realized that he needed to find an alternative source of income. He began offering company registration and business planning services to small-scale business owners, using his connections at the Corporate Affairs Commission and his knowledge of business planning to help them formalize their businesses.
His services were in high demand and he was able to register over 2,000 businesses in a short period of time. With the money he earned from these services, he was able to rent a shop and turn it into an office where he could meet with clients.
To help him manage his growing businesses, Garba started using OnTrack Business App, a mobile app that helps small business owners manage their operations, track their finances, and grow their businesses. He used the app’s invoicing, expenses tracking, and customer relationship management features to stay organized and on top of tasks.
At the same time, Garba also began exploring other business opportunities. He connected with a friend who was already in the herbal medicine business and started buying products from him to sell to his own customers. He also registered a few other businesses that he planned to invest in once he had secured the necessary capital.
“I believed in thinking big and starting Small…and I believed and the idea doesn’t come out fully formed, all you have to do is to start with whatever resources at your disposal; as things may start to blossom, you can make some changes and expand. And I also believe in possibly; anything is possible…when I set goals, I never rest until I reach them…”
Muhammad Garba
Eventually, Garba’s business, Al-Hadejawy Herbals, began to grow and diversify. In addition to offering company registration and business planning services, they also began producing and selling their own line of herbs and food products, including Garin TUWO, Garin DANWAKE, and Garin KUNU.
Today, Garba’s business has a team of nine members, six of whom are on the payroll and three who are indirect members that he only pays when their services are required. He is particularly proud of his commitment to women’s entrepreneurship development and has employed seven women on his team. His greatest entrepreneurial achievement so far has been the successful registration of over 2,000 businesses and his expansion into the production and sale of herbs and food products. By using OnTrack Business App to manage his business, Garba has been able to streamline various aspects of his operations and focus on growing and expanding his businesses.
Very interested story.
Masha Allah ubangiji ya Allah ya kara budawa Babban mallamin tsangaya
Allah Yasa Albarka
Good to hear that, you can start small and grow big. Insha Allah, our future is bright, we are coming to that.
Thank you for giving these inspiring stories, it serves as motivation to younger once.
Sometimes something go wrong so that we can grow strong. And to be a strong is necessary not a choice, bcos only strong mind comprehend big spirit and when the inner spirit has liberation the inspiration will authomatically born. Being with Garba Muhammad long ago, we derived so many inspirations and motivations around your activities. This short story of life is therefore, brought light to our journey of realizing our dreams.
The best words I gained and marked today is ” thinking big and starting small..”
Masha Allahu, Allah ya kara hazaka da basira.
Muna yiwa Mai TSANGAYA fatan alkhairi.