He left America with $10 to Sell Lemonade in Nigeria!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- He left America with $10 to Sell Lemonade in Nigeria is another episode of my promoting Africa series where I feature black entrepreneurs all across Africa who have built successful businesses and they tell us how they did it.
Today I’m gonna share with you the story of Seyi Abolaji, a Nigerian Founder who built a drink company in Nigeria that has become a household name. He started selling orange juice at Covenant University then went on to create a bigger brand called Wilson’s lemonade in 2010. I am a consumer of his product and it was amazing to finally get the opportunity to share his story which is a really inspiring one so definitely watch this to the end.
Learn how to build a Successful UA-cam Channel: bit.ly/thetayo...
Website: wilsonslemonad...
Telephone: 08062402350
Follow Me:
Instagram at / tayoainafilms
Facebook at / tayoainafilms
Twitter at / tayoainafilms
Support me on Patreon: bit.ly/patreon...
Support me on Paypal: www.paypal.com...
Get in touch with me: business@tayoaina.com
A lot of golden nuggets of INSPIRATION and EDUCATION here. Something I’ve noticed with most of the ENTREPRENEURS you’ve interviewed is the NEVER GIVE UP attitude. Most of them did not succeed at their first business. This is SIMPLY the difference between people who succeed eventually and people who give up after the first try.
I love what he said about ‘JUST TRY TO GET BETTER EACH TIME AND NOT TRYING TO BE PERFECT’.
They STARTED ROUGH and see where they are now and still a lot to come from them.
Thank you TAYO for bringing another EDUCATIONAL AND INSPIRING video.
If you give up too soon you will never know what is a head
Thanks for watching bro
I agree with you Adisenya
I pray some big guts in Nigeria wont hijack the business idea because somebody started producing noodle and now noodle is everywhere.
weeeeeeeeeeemweweeeee
Wow! Been drinking Wilson's for years and just finding out how they started is awesome. I love that they have a story for their brand. They pay attention to details. You'd think the drink is produced abroad with the way it is packaged, the branding, product name and all. Really impressed. I'm definitely stepping up my consumption of the the product, and will use every opportunity to promote it. This is a Nigerian project now and we must ensure it succeeds!
Thank you. That’s the true African spirit!
Can't wait to get one, hope it's all in our malls in Lagos?.
@@wealthybabs yes, all over
@@dejioyediji5164 Thank you
Exactly!!!!!💯
The guy is not just an entrepreneur, he is also loaded with positive wisdom.
He studied philosophy and history, definitely loaded
Wisdom from the Lord.
I'm so glad that Wilson's juice is getting the exposure it deserves! I'm an alumnus of Covenant University and I recall buying the lemonade at the cafeteria. When it started getting bottled, we rushed it like water 😅 💦💦
Wilson's Lemonade is simply the best out there. The only challenge is distribution; as I hardly get to see it in the stores.
Keep up the good work! Rooting for you, Wilson's juice!
I'm really inspired! One day, Wilson's Lemonade will become a billion dollar company in Nigeria , insha'Allah. 🙏🏻❤️
Amen
Wow! I have been taken this LEMONADE for a while now. My wife bought a pack and took three bottles within 2 days and she hid the remaining but I discovered it later. Guess what, the drink is cool when it is chilled. Pls don't tell her o. Thanks for adding value to our society. Now I can see where my drink is produced from.
Well done.
Nigeria 🇳🇬. Land of opportunities. But there's a test you gotta pass. These excellent entrepreneurs aced it. Standford University graduate sleeping on mat?? But it is the vision that drives. So proud. I was almost tearing up listening to this...because I know how difficult it is. Thanks Tayo for showcasing Wilson's lemonade. I forsee a great future for the business.
what is the correlation between standford and not a good bed. entrepreneurship has no respect for what university you went to. whether you went to school or not the process is exactly the same. Stanford though may give you quality knowledge but the price to pay is same for everyone.
@@austinjohn8713 that's exactly my point. In Nigeria and elsewhere going to Stanford is very high status. And ought to give one a sense of pride. Sleeping on eni' or mat is a sign you're struggling or an omo odo. Putting pride aside, getting real and paying the price for going after their vision over being some unfulfilled corporate clog with perceived high value is a sign of a great will. A visionary, an individual a fantastic person?
@@austinjohn8713 some of our forebears; the Odutolas, Ojukwus, Dantatas etc never even went to university. But they had the entrepreneurial skills combined with that essential native intelligence to zero into the niche in the market.
That’s not to say education is not necessary, but it’s certainly not the be-all as we’ve been misled to think in this part of the world.
@@eddieokojie5425 education is the acquisation of knowledge it could be sitting in class or finding things on the internet or learning in the street. the number one reason for african backwardness is the place they give to ignorance. people don't walk by knowledge
@@austinjohn8713 yes, I understand what you mean. Excuse my rather loose use of it, which was more in consonance with our local parlance: paper qualification.
This man is incredibly impressive from his humility to his wisdom. To go from an ivy league education to selling lemonade is just... WOW!
He could really be earning 7 figures on wall street right now but he chose impact over comfort. We need more people like him.
Comforts is the zone where ideas gets destroyed .
I would love to see Wilson s lemon in the supermarkets of South Africa one day, let’s support our own businesses and build Africa ❤️
No we need more war disease famine drought and apartheid
Word.
I also thought of how to taste it in South Africa
I was about to say the same thing sisi Lona
I love your mindset
Another great episode. I went to Berkeley, close to Stanford. Had similar struggles in Makurdi and finally starting to gain some ground. There is nothing fun about starting business in Nigeria. The poverty mentality and people trying to eat now and suffer later rather than suffer now and eat for generations, it's a very hard concept to get across. Well done to Wilson's. Thank you Tayo
I grew up in Markurdi!
Yep, delayed gratification is not something most Nigerians understand the importance of
You have said it all!
@@ifehansson2254 I would even say many people in the US don't understand delayed gratification. The difference is that their history is glorified and everyone has bought into it. We are fighting an uphill battle, but there's something about fighting along side my people. Not trying to glorify the struggle, but I'd rather fight next to my brothers and sisters than live relatively comfortable far away as a second class citizen. Tayo's episodes have given me big encouragement to keep fighting against all odds. God bless
@@annondemand6607 Wonderful. Happened to look at some of your videos, well done. Blessings to you and your family!
What a story. He is the 3rd startup entrepreneur to emphasize on the importance of prioritizing Impact over income. I can see how that small incremental mentality will give his competition a chase for their money. I am not competing with you, I just want to be better than yesterday. That is a young man that focuses on his circle of influence.
"There's no pride in being an entrepreneur and there's no shame in being an employee"...this is my quote of the year.
Good job again @TayoAina for showcasing the Wilson's brand. This growth story has to be told over and over again.
I’m stealing your quote !
No pride in being entrepreneur!!
What creating jobs,
Paying taxes,
Hireing employees,
Only a black Pearson could think that was bad thing,
Continue consoling yourself. There is fulfilment in being an entrepreneur.
Thanks !
ua-cam.com/video/gTunu6Asjr4/v-deo.html
This pig is an artist and her painting was sold for 20,000 pounds
I'm African American and live and born in us. I always saw in my head, all the Africans wanting to come to USA, you guys have so many resources and so many things that are in America that Africa has not established which is waiting to be created. Get your degree from the USA if you want but honestly, I myself have business ideas that I'm trying to see how I can establish it since I do t live there. I know my business would flourish and thrive but I must figure out the blueprint. So many businesses to be created in Africa. This is a great example.
The issue is finance and exposure
Some Africans in the continent have insights don't have capital to finance it, the rest don't see the opportunity the way outsiders like you in America see it looking in.. That's why most Africans that goes to the state get a broader view or perspective in the untapped opportunity back home and some goes back home to explore it, you that is in America that is more enlightened can easily see those opportunities that continental Africans can't see and coupled with the fact that you have the money too ( stronger currency to explore those opportunities)
My friends who lived oversea for over 5years share your same school of thought. and when you do come back home i would love to learn about your ideas
I like your insight about entrepreneurship especially in Africa. Africa is full of untapped business opportunities. If you have a business ideology, please bring it out because five years from now, someone will born that idea. If you need partnership, we can talk better.
Would you like to share some?
Come to nigeria 🇳🇬
No, Tayo. Seyi didn't just leave America with $10, he left with WILL - the drive/passion to make an impact in Nigeria.
Such drive is found in the 1% who go on to establish fortune companies. It's in Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, and Seyi Bolaji.
Seyi will live to serve as an inspiration to many of us.
More grease to your elbow Seyi!
yassss
True... The zeal is there.
I feel you Michael
thank you jareeee $10 bawo
One of the major lesson i picked from this is when you are surrounded with people that wants you to succeed, you will actually go far in life, and another is that hardwork always pay🥺🌹❤️
I have been drinking Wilson's for over two years now. I can categorically say it is the best Lemonade in Nigeria. Infact the only problem they have is distribution. Im so proud of these guys. Weldone Tayo. Your channel is worth more than 1m sub. Slow and steady we shall get there bro.
... you know, the inverse of a distribution problem is a distribution business opportunity. I'm just saying.
Saw this drink at the super market a few weeks back and bought it because I like the design and then I loved the taste.
Now hearing the story is 🔥🔥🔥
Inspiring!!!! This guy is saying the reality in Nigeria. He described what entrepreneurship is all about in Nigeria. It is very difficult but passion, drive and goal keep you going.
If you want to expand, the biggest problem is government agencies not even electricity. They will kill your business if you are not careful.
Word!
"There's no pride in entrepreneurship and there's no shame in being an employee." - Seyi Abolaji @18:30
No way! The first time I had this Wilson’s lemonade, I tot it was imported. Go Naija🇳🇬🔥
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and sell it to all of those who get thirsty from complaining.
Bruhhhh😂
😅😅🤣
Bro lollllll😂😂🤣🤣🤣
That's some crazy lyrics....are you a writer?
Yeah people love to complain without looking for solutions to the problem they're complaining about
The biggest challenge is the people challenge. Those who are used to saying yes sir, yes ma'am. Instead of using their natural curiosity to ask why or to ask questions and argue in their perspectives. There is no right and wrong answer. Or black or white answer. There are only levels of rights and levels of wrongs. So be courageous to argue about what you believe is right. The right Education and certification is one that teaches people how to think. One that allows them to be curious enough to ask why. People with natural curiosity are resourceful to businesses & companies. Paraphrased Seyi Abolaji.
This part made me to purse the video. What made him to make such statement is the environment he came from. This is one of the things we need to change in Nigeria. Almost everyone wants to be a lord and everyone to treat them as such as if they know it all and most not make any suggestion
Powerful
This entreprenuer is loaded. Thank you for sharing ❤
We need to protect this man at all costs !!!
I completely agree. Let Start by buying and help in distribution of wilson's brand... your wedding & other ceremonies please order Wilson's brand and promote our own.
from what?
@@abiodunakinoso347 Thanks for this idea. I love it!
@@ahmedsanni8538 From the frustration that might accumulate from doing business in Nigeria without political buffers, names high up there, and so on.
@@ahmedsanni8538from Nigeria happening to them!
This young businessman is inspirational. He is wise beyond his age and is very articulate. He knows how to speak! He also understands the pitfalls of working in Nigeria and the Nigerian mentality.. He would be an excellent motivational speaker!
He is a STANFORD GRAD. One of the best college in the world. They develop you into a Creative Thinker.
@@oluwatoyinlobaawolesi Oh ok
Honestly, Tayo you're a national treasure!
Bought this drink at the mall in kano,got addicted but ever since I left there I haven’t been able to get one🥺 amazing drink glad I finally know the creator✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾i hope it circulate the whole country and abroad 🤩🤩🙏🏾🙏🏾
215k views in 3 days, the love is real , Wilson’s lemonade is a proudly Nigerian brand and Seyi will always be an inspiration...even from the time we met at a CU Entrepreneurship Development Class and that was 4 years ago, that drive and passion he has is still showing. Very humble guy
As a small business owner myself, I can relate to his hustle and motivation.
Kudos, God bless.
Tayo your content is inspiring especially people like me who's staying outside Nigeria. I am coming back to Nigeria this year to begin a startup. I hope one day you will show my business on your channel. One love Bro keep it up. Together we can make Africa great
I second your wish
You might have to rethink this decision. Not Nigeria of today.
@@chinenyenwabueze9753 people are still making it regardless. Please don't discourage the young man.
@@chinenyenwabueze9753 stop it
ua-cam.com/video/gTunu6Asjr4/v-deo.html
This pig is an artist and her painting was sold for 20,000 pounds
Lesson taken in the first 2-3mins: Failing should not be the end. Try something again!
I had that lemonade when I visited Nigeria! It was delicious. My honey and I were wishing we could find it here in the US.
He said I had the option to choose “life of comfort” or “life of impact.” He chose life of impact 👍🏾
Tayo I truly love your videos. Growing up as a Nigerian born and raised in America, I often feel very disconnected from my people but your videos always give a cinematic, rich story to spread information for aspiring changemakers and it genuinely touches my heart each time I watch one of your videos. Please keep this my oga
Thank you. I’m glad to hear this!
There are still opportunities here in Nigeria...
MY FIANCE LIVES IN LAGOS,NIGERIA 🇳🇬 . WOULD BE A NICE GIFT FOR HIM 🌷.
❤❤❤❤
Very inspiring great things happening in africa# bless the motherland# respect fr Jamaica 🇯🇲
🇯🇲
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
Now every body in Nigeria must drink Wilson’s lemonade and other beverages.
One Afrika, One ❤️
First here! 😍 now let’s watch! 😀
Yayyyyyyy 😆
Our wife... you are here?
@@jamilahmahmud1627 na Maya property Oo, no let am here wetin you talk
Babe🌹
Lessons for me (1) Ideas rule the World (2) start with what you have (3) start, there is never an ideal time (4) learn along the way (5) continually improve (6) only those who persevere, win (7) Nigeria is a land of opportunities (8) with governance support Nigeria can be a World power and a land of several USD millionaires (9) There is a need for government agencies to support businesses and not over regulate and kill businesses (10) we can do it if we believe, start and persevere. Thank you.
Great read.
Amazing to see a lot of Nigerians choosing to believe in the country !
This man right here knows what he's doing 👌
Really inspiring!
When some are leaving Africa others decide to stay or come back to build businesses that bring value to their community and country.
Thanks again Tayo Aina for showing the world a different picture of our amazing continent!
noble deed and powerful
Government should provide loans or financial facilities that can help small business because they are the key to our economy
Weldon Aina... Please don't stop what you're doing...
You're bringing awareness to Nigerians about indigenous businesses..
Usually see this products in supermarket but didn't think anything of it. But now, I know, and will buy.
That man right there is a master salesman, a philosopher and a sound mind. Nigeria is blessed to have you. Thank you so much Tayo for this amazing episode 👏🏽❤️👏🏽
I actually had to replay this just so I could take notes. Truly Educational "there are many roads to one market" was one of my favorite quote. & "You need to find a way from what you have". "Be better", Thank you Tayo for sharing the Wilson's lemonade journey.
Africa has great minds💥..no doubts
This is great motivation for every African
Best lemonade ever! I saw an interview on Wilson lemonade years ago, I had never been to Nigeria but said to myself that when I visit I must try Wilson's, anytime I am in Nigeria I head over to Shoprite and get me some Wilson lemonade. Amazing story!
I'm a BIAFRAN.this is highly inspiriting! Watching from Europe ( Belgium 🇧🇪 )
I had to comment. First of all, I've been buying Wilson's since I came back to Nigeria and I have been curious about their story. This was such a delight to watch! Thank you Tayo for spotlighting this company and thank you to Mr. Abolaji for dropping some major gems! Every entrepreneur in Nigeria can surely learn from what he's said! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
This is very very very inspiring 👍 Thank you for bringing this to us .
People are so comfortable living in a developed country and working for someone's empire that they forget,there are so many market's in the world where you can build your own empire.
"Work with what you have" THIS IS KEY! Thanks again Tayo for another inspiring video!
I would like to have it bro.
Watching you from Sosua
Dominican Republic
Tayo, thanks for another AMAZING and inspirational interview. A Stanford Graduate can never go hungry in USA so to forgo those relative life assurances/comforts and relocate to Nigeria in order to make an impact is beyond commendable. Seyi is on the right path and will explode in due time. Thanks for shedding light to his work.
Where can we get the drinks to buy? Address or phone number. Thanks
This is very inspiring because I'm also a startup myself.
What our beloved nation needs at this crucial time to develop is more of this kind of vision and drive.
God bless you for bringing this Nigerian dream to public view and assuring our teaming youths that it's very possible to dream and visualize in Nigeria.
Bro, That's my best drink... My Boss introduced it to me and since 2019, I've fell in love with the Originality of the drink and the richness of the taste.
This is really changing my mindset. I will have to come back to Nigeria to make an impact on Nigerians.
Good work Tayo 👍
Please do. Thank you 🙏🏾
You should definitely come, never late
I'm blown away!
Such an incredible young man!
Being an Entrepreneur my self I know what it is to start from zero. I am very Proud of Seyi Abolaji. Well done. Your vision is pure and genuine in my opinion and it will stand the test of time to be a great company that will out live you and many generations to come. I actually thought he finished from Covenant University. But it's good to know he has a little connection to it.
“MOST PEOPLE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AS PART OF THE COMPANY, NOT THE HEAD OF THE COMPANY.” 🔥
Thanks Tayo for sharing this video. Indeed he has said it all. There is no excuse anymore in our modern days. Greatness is already embedded in us. We just need to activate and nurture it. God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa.
This is so inspiring honestly,Picked a lot of gems from this guy
WOW Tayo Video Educational . Great story behind the business of lemona Its fanastic to invest within your business within your Country.😊
As an alumnus of covenant university,I'm so happy seeing his success,I still remember them doing the legwork on campus! 🔥Never give up on your dreams
Do not despise the days of small begining thanks for the enlightenment and being truthful about how you started
"There's no pride in being an entrepreneur and there's no shame in being an employee"
The "hunter-gatherer" mentality is deep rooted in Africa. It is the single biggest obstacle to business. I admire those who can overcome this. This is most inspirational. Wishing you all the best from South Africa.
Excellent and very KEY POINT on governmental agencies riding entrepreneural enterprises into the ground. This really has to stop.
I am from Somali and i support my fellow africans. make us proud william. you are going to achieve som great things
This is insightful.
One thing I took away is if you want a life of impact or comfort.
Another thing is that they didn't do well with their inventory in the beginning.
Whew! I need to buckle up.
Thanks for sharing Tayo.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this! Better than yesterday....living a life of comfort or impact.....Failing forward continously and focusing on being you! Thank you for the inspirational story!!!
I’ll be damned if this is not one of the most inspiring videos I’ve watched 👏🏽
This guy is a Genius
I've not even started watching but I am already excited for this one.
I have been a huge fan of Wilson's Lemonade since I tasted it for the first time in 2019.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to get it where I am since then, but their branding has lived rent-free in my mind since that first encounter.
Thank you for featuring this amazing team Tayo.
Left USA with $10 I’m calling BS.
I’m calling you a hater.. 😂 but yeah he’s probably capping
*From Stanford
It's called advertising 😂
Big Capping just his plane tickets alone in already know he's capping
@@sushireelstruth ain't never cap or hate
I'm so motivated from this video... WoW.. "use what you have to get what you need" Now is the time to take the step.
Just lovely and inspiring story..... Everytime I think of investing back in Nigeria my main bother is agencies corruption, my father had a beverage and liquor in Ogun state back in the days, our biggest enemy are the police and other agencies trying to rip you off even when no crime is committed.
The police and those other agencies will fade away eventually and a different set of people will come in. …NEVER give up on your Dreams
I’m bothered about that when it comes to Nigeria but I have hope for Nigeria dispute some of the disappointments coming from the country but it’s stories like this from Tayo aina and Wode maya that gives me hope
Oh my God, these videos are so immense. Tayo bro, you don’t even understand how inspirational you are. So many opportunities out there and sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith. This small business series you have going on is one of the best things on UA-cam so please give us as many as you can get. The more out of Lagos the better
This is arguably the best entrepreneur interview I've seen in a while. It's damn too insightful and comes down to earth.
I like the vision also
No doubt his hard and smart work is going to change his life as a winner. Never quit
It seems like he has to start automating the job so that the "money can start pouring in." I can tell he would not like to do that as he seems like a man of the people but it's just the way business goes. Also, while I was studying in the Bay Area I heard from a professor who taught at Berkeley that when he asked most students what they wanted to do after they graduated, he would get shrugs 90% of the time. This really woke me up at a time when I was in a transitioning period in my life, and when I thought college grads had it all together and figured out. Great video and the edits add a perfect visual to the storyline:)
This is legit one of the guys that started on a shoe string budget
What an IMPACTFUL & LEARNING Episode. Great Business Man with so much GEMS. I SALUTE YOU TWO.
As a Zambian subscriber to your channel, I must say that I've really been inspired by every entrepreneur you've interviewed. Keep up the good works bro
Today, Wilson lemon is the new lemonade. Why, because they JUST DID IT instead of looking for excuses. Inspiring!
This was a great and inspiring watch. Alot of young people are putting in the work, we just need a more enabling environment. Thanks for sharing
No use waiting for an enabling environment...Create your own niche and you'll be just fine.
This guy Seyi ( co founder of wilson)though he has done well for himself has a lot of attitude problem both to his staff , workers and his bankers and other business parties. He needs to correct that flaw to climb up. ( Talking from a direct contact with him ) on a very verbal insultive visit with him.
wow Africa will be great once again if we as children of this continent realize we have the wits; strength and potentials to solve Mama Africa's dilemma....yh it won't be eady but f**k it we are not having it any eaier till we own our own problems and set out to make a change and succeed with our dreams whatever it may be.
Repping Ghana:But believe Nigeria's Rising will throw a cloud of illumination and development over the wholr continent.
I knew he would go far, I heard of him some years ago and i had used his story for my young people. Greater heights guy.
Inspired! This business supported the very first CITY camp for teenagers in Ota and provided hundreds of these drinks daily to students for free. Amazing to hear this back story. God bless your business
Such an inspiring story. I came across this lemonade on board a flight or two in Nigeria even though I found it a bit too strong for my buds, I shaa loved the fact that it was Proudly Naija. Now I have seen the story behind it and I doff my hat for you Bolaji. Waajeree o!.
And to you Tayo, keep up the great work. Your brand is quite strong and unique. Keep it up and keep at it.
See if they have the light lemonade, maybe your buds will prefer that
I love this, Tayo! Fantastic. He will go very far because the competition are mostly selling chemicals called Juice but this is fresh and nutritious. Kudos
ua-cam.com/video/gTunu6Asjr4/v-deo.html
This pig is an artist and her painting was sold for 20,000 pounds
This incredibly powerful. I have been in the us for over 40 years most of those years I have been homeless and all those years I lived harshness proverbial life worse than African in Africa. Now I am recollecting myself to relocate home. The poverty, homeless is one thing but the sense of never wanted in the very country black slaves build is the most pain part of living in America, Europe or outside Africa. It is time for Africans to starting to move back home. You have inspired me greatly. I came across your channel because I am planning to start a juice company and to see you can do it in Africa I must come visit your company
You go to the best schools in the world, you get the best education and when u go out to the world, you settle! There are kids who go to "No name schools" they are the ones who go out to change the world!............ .THIS IS SO DEEP!!!!!!
This video is so awesome and heartwarming.
It gave me some type of hope that I didn't know I was missing
I thought they said it was $2000 in one interview? Anyways, I read their story on a bottle and I told my mum about it. For one year I stayed in Nigeria, I only took their drink simply because their story was such an inspirational one to me
$2000 sounds more realistic than 2000 Naira
Sad Africa government don't support you brother we need people like you in African sound creative mind people.
These are the people we need in Nigeria not those youths that blame the government there is always something creative you can do to help build the economy
I love this video. I pray that this business scales globally. Thanks Mr. Tayo for your amazing videos.
Looking from where he started and how it is going, the sky is his beginning. Amen he will go definitely.
I love their drinks so much. Started drinking since 2017
Thanks Tayo Aina for branding Africans well to the world. God bless you richly
Thank you for sharing his story. He is very inspirational. Thanks to him too for believing in Nigeria. I will look for his products in the market in my hometown in Benin City and patronise him henceforth.