A tropical cyclone, also known as a typhoon or hurricane, is a powerful storm that forms over warm tropical waters, characterized by strong winds, low pressure, and heavy rain. Just as a storm’s power can destroy, a strong foundation is essential to withstand its fury. The same principle applies to building a business—without a solid foundation, even the most ambitious ideas can crumble.

Temitope’s idea was as bold as it was innovative. He envisioned creating a database so vast that it would allow Africans to search for any company from their mobile devices, aiming to compete with the likes of Google. With this massive goal in mind, Temitope registered his business name and began his journey. He recruited a team of ten, providing them with generous salaries, personal cars, and bonuses, all funded by his bank loans. The future looked bright as his company quickly gained 6,000 customers in just two years—a promising start on the road to global success.

However, Temitope’s dream was built on shaky ground. Instead of focusing on solidifying his business’s foundation, he began indulging in luxuries and spending recklessly on side expenses, all while his company’s debt continued to mount. Despite the company’s success, with customers willing to pay $3 a month to be part of the search engine and even invest in the business, Temitope’s lack of focus on long-term growth and sustainability led to its downfall.

Subscribers, who had initially paid for a year’s service, expected the company to deliver on its promise to sell their goods and services globally. But as more subscribers came in, the search engine’s lack of visibility and promotion began to take its toll. Customers stopped renewing their subscriptions, sales plummeted, and within six months, the company went bankrupt, leaving Temitope with a staggering $35 million debt.

In hindsight, Temitope’s approach could have been different. By starting small, recruiting only a few key employees focused on marketing and distribution, and prioritizing the growth of the subscriber base, he might have attracted more investors and kept the company afloat.

Today, Temitope works for an oil and gas company, using 25% of his monthly income to repay the enormous loan. His story serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of building a strong foundation before chasing big dreams.