We invest in and own the rails that coordinate labor, data, and attention in emerging markets. Founder, @MalokunLabs owners of @geturgent2k @uptownUGC
Joined October 2009
- Tweets67.4K
- Following2.6K
- Followers2.5K
- Likes5.3K
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
The question now is which changes persist.
Does improved demand translate into cash retained?
Does more inventory produce lasting growth?
Do new operating decisions survive the next month?
A first visit gives us a baseline.
Returning gives us the opportunity to test it.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
A food merchant reports earning enough to hire help.
But power interruptions threaten refrigerated goods.
A business can become stronger financially while remaining vulnerable operationally.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
A merchant opens a second stall.
Both locations are reportedly performing well.
But the original shop recently experienced a break-in.
Expansion creates opportunity.
It can also increase exposure.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
Another merchant replenishes stock after receiving savings-contribution proceeds.
Customers begin finding more of what they want.
The merchant reports better sales.
Inventory availability may be as important as demand.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
A merchant starts delivering to homes.
Orders increase, according to the merchant.
But customers owing money for months remain a problem.
More orders do not necessarily mean faster collections.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
FIELD LOG / YABA
We’re approaching 100 first observations across one Lagos market cluster.
One pattern keeps appearing:
The problem facing a business is not always the same as the thing driving its growth.
A few examples. ↓
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
Small sample
Big stories!
Keep going man
We went to Yaba and asked 89 traders how business dey. The answers?
Interesting First week of a study that won't stop until we hit 10,000. We are now building continuous memory of the informal market, one key market at a time. We started with Yaba(Sabo/Tejuosho incl)
Half of Yaba is feeding the other half. Food and drinks make up about 50% of the businesses we saw, and 68% are one-person shows. Oga, manager and cashier, all at once.
Where you sell matters more than you think. 30% of shop owners make 100k+ a day. For table sellers, it's 12%. Those four walls are doing serious work.
89% said business is better than 3 months ago. 87% said restocking costs more. Zero people said things are worse. Nigerians and "we move" energy, name a more iconic duo!
Cash is no longer king. 59% of traders now get paid mostly by transfer. But only about 4 in 10 display their account details, so for the rest it's still "abeg, call the number again"
What's the biggest problem? Capital, by a wide margin. But only 24% borrowed anything last year. Everybody needs money; almost nobody can get it.
63% keep no sales records. 83% use WhatsApp Business. Book-keeping: no. Broadcast list: absolutely!
This is week 1. We're going to keep listening until we hit 10,000. What should we ask Yaba traders next?
For a more detailed analysis of this project follow @Groundtruth54
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
I've been asked many times about my approach to parenting, & possibly creating a guide. Honestly, I'm still figuring things out, but I've always believed in sharing my experiences & learnings. My son calling me Daddy was when I decided to lock in. rapkids.io/blog/my-son-calls…
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
We’re building the memory.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
These are merchant-reported experiences, not independently verified causes of growth.
We don’t yet know which adjustments will last. That’s why the next visit matters.
A first observation tells us what a business says happened. A second can begin to establish what happened next
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
NETWORKS
A wholesaler reports gaining customers after joining a traders’ group.
Others want introductions to reliable suppliers, business associations and potential buyers.
Not every growth tool is financial.
Sometimes access to people changes access to opportunity.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
PRODUCTS
A tailoring merchant reports adding drinks to the business.
Another trader expanded into an additional stall.
Sometimes growth means selling more of the same thing.
Sometimes it means changing what the business is.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
TIME
Some merchants report better sales after opening earlier.
Another reports selling more at night, after neighbouring shops close.
Operating hours can become a competitive decision.
But longer hours may also carry additional costs and risks.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
LOCATION
A food merchant reports stronger weekend sales after moving closer to a bus stop.
The business didn’t necessarily change what it sold.
It changed where customers could find it.
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
FIELD LOG / YABA
We’re beginning to notice something across the first merchant observations.
When conditions change, businesses don’t always wait for the economy to improve.
They change how they operate.
Five examples from the field. ↓
LOGOR' | Malokun Labs retweeted
I made a fun web experience for an amazing creative @ayanfee__ .
yanfssss.ayoniyi.dev
Listened to her sets 🎧 while making this and had a lot of fun.
Hire me, I make really cool websites.