How to Start a Profitable Business Center in Nigeria

Starting a business center is easy and it requires low startup capital. You could decide to buy used equipment however new ones are recommended.

It is possible to breakeven within a year with strategic planning and satisfied customers. You can operate a small business center with only two members of staff.

Busy commercial areas attract the best patronage. To succeed offer your customers quality service and affordable rates. Make sure your job delivery time is fast and efficient.

How to Stat a Profitable Business Center

• Write a business plan
• Secure funding
• Find a good location
• Buy new equipment
• Hire staff
• Market the business

Locating the Business Center

 Establishing your office close to huge traffic source would guarantee success. Customer demography includes educational institutions such as polytechnics, universities and other tertiary institutions.

More useful locations are government offices, local government offices and banks. Make sure your office has the right equipment and is easily accessible.

Best Locations for a Business Center

• Polytechnics  
• Universities
• Tertiary institutions
• Government offices
• local government offices
• Banking areas
• Commercial areas

Office Equipment

The amount of money you invest in the business depends on your budget. You could start the business with minimum capital.

Purchase office furniture such as chairs, tables and shelves. More important equipment’s are the computers, laptops, printer and laminating machine.

You need a photocopying machine, modem, laser jet scanner and internet connection. Business centers use lots of stationery such as bond paper, inks, scissors, rulers and staplers.

• Chairs
• Tables
• Shelves
• Computers
• Laptops
• Printer
• Laminating machine
• Photocopy  machine
• Scanner
•  Modem
• Spiral binding equipment

The job Description

The job description is to provide essential services pertaining to documents. General services include typing, photocopying and fax services.

Others are operating a cyber cafe, scanning and laminating documents. Some offer printing services, desktop publishing, spiral binding and typesetting. You could even offer instant passport sized photography services.

How to start a printing business

Hire staff

Hire staff with adequate knowledge of computer operational systems. The staff should be adequately trained to perform different services.

A small center would function optimally with only two members of staff. And don’t forget to register the enterprise as a sole proprietorship business.

Funding and Budgeting

You could conveniently start the enterprise with $1000(N400, 000). This goes into purchasing a photocopying machine, spiral binding machine and laminating machine.

Other equipment and stationary are consumables, staplers, desktop computer, modem and a generating set.

More funding requirements are for rent, furniture and staff wages. To raise funds try target saving or approach a community bank. You could form a partnership or find a core investor.

Marketing the Business Center

Many centers use simple signboards to attract patronage. While others print simple handbills, complementary cards and banners. Try to spend very little on advertisement and concentrate more on offering quality service.