“I Lost ₦50m Contract Because I Had No Car” — Abuja Entrepreneur Shares Painful Experience

An Abuja based event decorator has shared a hard lesson for entrepreneurs after losing what could have been a ₦50 million wedding contract, simply because of how he arrived at a client meeting.

In a video posted on TikTok, the businessman recounted how his decision to sell his car to reinvest in his business has cost him several high value deals.

“As a business owner in Abuja, please package,” he began. “Because something terrible just happened to me and I would not want it to happen to you.”

According to him, the opportunity came through a referral. Four years ago, he had designed a wedding for a client who was impressed with his work and continued to recommend him to others. Recently, that former client referred him to a friend who was planning a wedding scheduled for March.

He said initial conversations went well. He presented his portfolio, discussed the concept, and both parties agreed on pricing. However, the prospective client requested a physical meeting before making any payment.

“I was like okay, let’s meet,” he said.

The decorator explained that when he arrived at the meeting venue, the atmosphere immediately felt different.

“They were asking me if I’m working for a company or if it’s actually my business. I told them it’s my business,” he recounted.

Later that evening, the friend who made the referral contacted him with unexpected feedback.

“Guy, why you never buy car?” the friend asked him. He went on to explain that the intending clients had questioned why someone charging ₦50 million for a wedding decoration did not own a car.

That was when the reality set in.

“It dawned on me that it was a very bad idea to sell my car just so I could invest the money in my business,” he said. “In as much as it looked like it made sense, that was one of the most foolish ideas I’ve ever made.”

The businessman revealed that this was not the first time he had lost a contract under similar circumstances. He said he had previously lost at least two other deals after arriving at meetings without a car.

“As a business owner in Abuja, your car is like next to your name,” he stated. “Once you have your brand name and you’ve decided on your business, the next thing you should buy is a car. It’s going to determine how much people pay you. It’s going to determine how people size you. It’s going to determine how much they trust you.”

Despite the setback, he said he remains hopeful that bigger opportunities will come.

“We still get other jobs,” he added. “I just have to console myself that God is going to bring a bigger job. One door closes, another opens.”

 

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His story has sparked conversations online about perception, branding, and the realities of running a business in Abuja, where appearance can significantly influence trust and opportunity.

Watch the video below: