I sat down with problem solver extraordinaire Amanda Etuk, to get to know her and learn more about Messenger, the delivery business she co-founded.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Amanda Etuk and I’ve always been inspired to solve problems. I consider myself a full Nigerian, my father is from Akwa Ibom and my mother from Kogi State. I was born in Makurdi, Benue State and grew up in Lagos and Abuja.
I am excited by change and being a part of something great and this makes logistics and supply chain a perfect industry for me. During my spare time, I try to create processes that allow me to have maximum time for relaxation. I typically love to stay in bed, watch series and eat a lot of food.
I am a published author with two books so far; one is on personnel management for the delivery business space and the other is so far left; an erotica under a pen name.
Tell us a bit about your background – how did you get to this point?
My background is in Pharmacy from the University of Lagos. After working a few years as a Pharmacist, I went on to get a postgraduate in Global Supply Chain and Logistics managementand then worked at a Supply Chain and Logistics company as the General Manager. After this I co-founded a delivery business with my brother where I manage modern trade supply chain for major household brands. I also work on last mile deliveries focusing on expansion plans for Messenger.
What is your ‘why’ i.e. bottom line, and how do you stay motivated?
My bottom line is to be able to create a great life for myself and my loved ones. I want to create products and services that would serve people and still be very profitable.
What do you feel are your biggest achievements?
I have a lot of heart warming moments in my life but my biggest achievements are seeing projects that started as ideas come to life.
I am most proud of where Messenger is right now, we are the second largest partner for Jumia Food in Abuja, we have recently ventured into last mile cold chain and have a contract to move COVID samples for Medbury Medicals in Lagos.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is creating work place conditions that I wished for when I was working. It is having the power to make decisions and seeing the immediate outcome on my bottom-line.
Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer.
Welcome to Messenger.ng, you can absolutely trust us with your deliveries.
We provide efficient logistics services to support your business. You can find out more about us on our website at www.getmessenger.ng or connect with us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/messenger.ng/ or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/messenger-ng/.
How have you carved a niche for yourself in your industry?
We are doing well in the B2B space for last mile deliveries with dispatch bikes. I would say that we are making a name for ourselves as a reliable 3PL partner.
What’s been the most significant thing you’ve done to grow your business?
The most significant thing I have done to grow the business was to become unafraid to ask for help, especially when raising funds from angel investors within my network to fund operations and expand to Lagos.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community?
As cliché as it sounds; PERSISTENCE. You decide your fate, if you quit, what else is there?
If you were given $1m to invest in Messenger, where would it go?
If I was given $1M to invest in Messenger, I would invest in tech to make it even easier to order deliveries or logistics like you would book a cab and the assets; motorcycles, vehicles etc. Talent would definitely be a part of the budget.
What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
Scheduling. I love scheduling all my activities in advance, I am centered through the day and it helps me keep track of my deliverables.
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
I’m currently reading “Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa” by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and I am more inspired to take audacious risks.
Amanda is currently on the High Growth Coaching Program preparing Messenger to grow and keep impacting Nigeria’s delivery industry.