Nigerian Food Vendor's Heartbreaking First Day: 21 Plates of Rice, Zero Sales
A Nigerian food vendor was left in tears after her first day in business turned into a major disappointment, with not a single plate of rice sold from the 21 she had prepared. The emotional incident, shared on TikTok by her friend @serah226, has gone viral, drawing widespread sympathy and advice from netizens across the platform.
Business Launch Ends in Tears and Unsold Food
The vendor, who had invested significant resources into starting her food business, was heartbroken as she returned home with all 21 plates of rice untouched. Her friend posted the video with the caption: "Life so private nobody knows my friend started a business and didn't make any sales on the first day. Just 21 plates of rice." This highlighted the stark reality many new entrepreneurs face when launching ventures without initial customer traction.
Massive TikTok Reactions and Supportive Messages
The post quickly garnered attention, with TikTok users flooding the comments section to offer encouragement and practical tips. Many expressed sympathy for the vendor's plight, while others questioned her strategy of cooking such a large quantity on day one. Key reactions included:
- @theweeklychop advised: "You should have done sampling with it. I also recently just started a food business but cause I didn’t know what to do, I did sampling first and collected some contact, then said food was available for sale like 3 days later... I’m still considering doing another sampling you should try that too."
- @Adebiyi Ajayi offered help: "Where are you located? I need 30-50 plates no jokes I wanna share it for those in need."
- @Hk suggested: "Just continue too post the process on how you cooking and packing you will get orders with TikTok."
- @Molecular recommended: "You can do a free sample like in a small container, try to make videos about it boosts sales and gives positive brand image."
- @KEN'S KITCHEN encouraged persistence: "Don't quit because of this, consistency looks like nothing is happening but keep the flag flying."
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
This incident underscores the challenges of starting a small business in Nigeria, particularly in the competitive food industry. Experts often recommend starting with smaller batches, using social media for marketing, and offering samples to build initial customer interest. The vendor's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of market research and gradual scaling.
Meanwhile, this is not an isolated case. Legit.ng previously reported on a young Nigerian lady who cried out after using all her savings to purchase artificial hair for sale, only to make no sales after two months. Such stories highlight the broader struggles faced by youth entrepreneurs in Nigeria, where economic hurdles and lack of support can derail business dreams.
As the food vendor considers her next steps, the outpouring of support from the online community offers a glimmer of hope. Many have urged her to stay consistent, leverage digital platforms, and refine her approach to attract customers in the future.
