Tesh Mbaabu is a visionary who saw opportunities in everyday challenges and used technology to bring about significant change. His journey began as a teenager, fascinated by technology’s potential. Inspired by “The Secret,” he created a vision board featuring his aspirations, such as owning his dream car, and home, and being recognized by Forbes 30 under 30. Eleven years later, he achieved those goals.
Tesh continued to forge his path by addressing a pressing issue for local African merchants, who often serve as the primary source of food and beverages in their communities. He and his co-founder and their team, envisioned empowering these small businesses to access to FMCG products, pay for their purchases, and receive deliveries within 24 hours. His work exemplifies technology’s power to create transformative change. Tesh’s story serves as a testament that opportunities to make a difference are all around us. With a clear vision, dedication, and the drive to make a positive impact, anyone can achieve their goals. Technology is a powerful ally in this pursuit, as Tesh’s journey demonstrates.
Drawing from his experiences on the outskirts of Nairobi, where he visited local shops frequently, and his co-founder Mesongo’s involvement in running a community shop and offering credit, They discovered through their company MarketForce a way to digitize sales agents’ order collection from small businesses. This became crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic when people needed to purchase goods directly from consumer brands.
The need for technology in small businesses is particularly prominent in emerging markets like Nigeria, where about 90% of trade occurs through small shops. These merchants are the backbone of their communities, providing credit, building trust, and even resolving disputes with their in-depth knowledge of the community. The digital disruption of 2020 has opened doors for small businesses to leverage technology and drive significant change. With the right platform, these businesses can buy goods directly from consumer brands, creating a more efficient and effective system. This is especially relevant in markets like Nigeria, where small retailers represent 97% of national sales.
In conclusion, Tesh’s story is an inspiring example of recognizing and seizing opportunities to create change. By harnessing the power of technology, anyone with a clear vision, unwavering commitment, and the drive to make a difference can positively impact the world. Small businesses can use technology to purchase goods directly from consumer brands, creating more efficient and effective systems. Are you inspired by Tesh’s story and curious to learn more?
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