SMALL CHOPS BUSINESS

‘Madam add more puff puff, dis one too small.’

This had been part of my speech most Sundays after church.

Just before the pastor shares the grace, my body knows the next direction to move to.

Where? The small chops stand, of course, is located two mins walk away from the church.

After each Sunday service, I will hurriedly rush off to Madam Chops just to make sure I am one of the first set to get the big pack.

You would agree with me that the small chops business has gradually become a lucrative business in Lagos state, especially in churches. My niece once told me she always looked forward to Sunday Services just because she knew we wouldn’t go home without picking up a pack or two of small chops.

You see, my addiction to small chops has led me into talking my younger brother David into starting up the business and I have never regretted helping him make such a decision. Now I do not have to stand in a queue to get small chops. No more ‘madam adds more puff puff’. Sometimes I can have my king-size chops before service. No more rushing off after service.

I can now relax and make a few friends before going home knowing full well that I have a heap of chops waiting for me.

I would like to share an article my younger brother showed me in preparation to starting up his small chops business. It is entitled “Five Tips Needed To Start A Lucrative Small Chops Business” by Fab Woman. I know the article is good because my younger brother’s business has done very well since he started.

If you are considering going into the small chops business, you might want to follow these tips:

1. Be Different

The key to being a successful small chops business owner is creativity. Stand out in your presentation and style!

Do something different and more people will notice. Small chops compose of a variety of Spring Rolls, Samosa, Fish Finger, Fish in Batter, Chicken in Batter, Masa (Corn), Masa (Banana) Yamarita (Yam Balls), Puff-Puff, Meat Balls, Pepper Snail, Pepper Steak, Beef Pocket, Gizz Dodo, Prawns in Batter, just to mention a few.

2. Your Price matters

The price tag you put on your product will depend on your target market and the amount of effort you intend to put into your business. Bear in mind that going to the open market to buy the ingredients and bulk buying will save you a lot of money. So do not hype your prices unnecessarily just because you were not smart enough to buy your wares in bulk.

3. Getting customers is key

Getting customers is easy. Start with word of mouth because it is the cheapest form of advertising.

Invite friends over and have them taste your meal, and they would let others know the quality

of your chops. Alternatively, you can advertise your business through social media, flyers, and magazines.

Social media is a powerful tool for small businesses today, especially with its ability to let your potential

customers have a visual image of what you can do. Nothing can be more captivating than seeing the

picture of a well-organized meal. It pushes the taste buds to desire.

4. Know what you need

To start a successful small chops business, you will need a workspace (kitchen), cooking utensils (pots,

pans, knives, spoons, etc.), a cooker or stove, and of course the ingredients that would be used to prepare your small chops. Some common items needed to prepare small chops include; carrots, cabbage, minced meat, snail, gizzard, chicken, flour, yeast, beef, croaker fish, and yam (for yam balls).

5. Learn well and afterward, teach others

Take time to learn the art of making these small chops it would benefit you greatly.

I hope you found the tips interesting and worth putting into practice. Meanwhile here is the number 6

tip and this one is coming from me, a serial businessman.

Thanks for reading