From Kid’s Imagination to a Lucrative Business Idea: The Evolution of Innovation

Recalling my youthful adventures in brainstorming grand ideas, it's fascinating how those imaginative notions germinated in the fertile mind of a child can later blossom into innovative business ventures. My earliest and most enduringly intriguing concept involved designing a pair of ‘jumpers’ - shoes programmed to transport you directly to your destination. Imagine the convenience!

Thought up in the bustling traffic-prone streets of Lagos, Nigeria, this idea was an indirect response to the relentless hold-ups and traffic delays that marred my daily life. The prospect of such footwear was a solution to my problems with alternative thinking. The image of soaring through the skies, completely bypassing the congested roads, is irresistible.

A Spark of Imagination

While I still have vivid recollections of my early ideas, one of the most compelling was the vision of a shoe that could actually ‘jump’ you to your destination. Growing up, I was often seen as peculiar, but as I delved into the accounts of pioneers like Elon Musk and Richard Branson, I began to understand that nothing is out of bounds if you can envision it. The idea of flying shoes, though originally a jest, is now being considered, with Japan’s maglev trains serving as a remarkable real-world example. Is the future of transportation closer than it seems?

Evolution of Ideas

Years later, as I matured and honed my skills in creative problem-solving, I started to realize that the key to turning ideas into ventures lies not solely in the novelty of the thought but in its practical application. I immersed myself in the business of helping others develop their ideas by assisting with writing business plans and facilitating brainstorming sessions. My own journey, however, was a testament to the concept that innovation is not merely a flash of inspiration but the diligent execution of ideas.

In 2019, I submitted one of my ideas to the Nigerian Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund and it was among the 1700 selected from over 10,000 submissions to receive 2,000,000 Naira in funding. A remarkable milestone, indeed. My latest venture was recently selected in the prestigious Sterling Bank pitch Nigeria powered by SME Toolkit challenge, a competition that attracted tens of thousands of participants, competing for a gargantuan sum of over 10,000,000 Naira in equity investment. The journey from a kid’s imagination to a recognizable business proposal underscores the transformative power of innovation.

With experience, I have come to understand the importance of the implementation process. Turning abstract notions into actionable plans is not a trivial task, but one that requires the right resources, support, and often, a leap of faith. Whether it's crafting a shoe capable of jumping you to your destination, or developing a business plan that aligns with the needs of the market, the essence of innovation remains constant - the relentless pursuit of creativity and practical solutions.

So, if you have a business idea, no matter how peculiar or innovative, now is the time to let it take flight. Who knows? You might just make it a reality one day.