Are you interested in starting a profitable small chops business with little capital? This guide will provide you with essential tips and strategies to launch your venture successfully.
In light of the ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, more people are looking for ways to secure an income. One lucrative, most profitable and often overlooked opportunity is starting a small chops business. One thing about Nigerians is that they love to party, and they do not joke with their food and is usually referred to as “item 7″—it is always a central part of any gathering. This makes the small chops business a promising venture for those willing to dive in.
What is Small chops?
Small chops is a beloved snack option in Nigeria, comprising a variety of finger foods like samosas, spring rolls, puff-puff, mosa, and money bags, often paired with proteins such as sauced chicken, turkey, beef, or prawns.
Despite its popularity, many people do not realize how accessible and profitable this business can be. With just ₦50,000 you can get started, provided you have basic kitchen equipment like a non-stick frying pan, freezer, frying pot, filter, and brush.
The beauty of the small chops business is that you don’t need a physical shop. You can start from home, making it a great side hustle for students or anyone looking to make extra income.
I am going to be telling you how to start this business and some marketing strategies to get customers. The do’s and don’t in small chop business. I like keeping things real – I must admit that I’m NOT an expert (and I do not claim to be one), but I can offer you valuable tips and share my experience so you can avoid making mistakes as a brand-new small chops business owner.
Conduct Market Research for a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
Before diving into the small chops business, it is important to conduct market research. Understanding the market for small chops in your area will help you gauge demand and identify your potential customer base. Look into popular flavours and preferences, as well as the prices of competitors. Knowing what works and what doesn’t will give you a competitive edge and allow you to tailor your offerings to meet customer needs.
Develop a Business Plan for a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
Creating a solid business plan is essential for your small chops venture. A small chops business plan outlines your goals, target market, budget, and marketing strategy. It will help you stay focused and organized as you start your business. Consider detailing your initial investment, pricing strategy, and growth plans. This plan will not only guide you but can also be useful if you decide to seek funding or partnerships in the future.
Learn the Skill to Succeed in a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
Before you start, it’s essential to learn how to make these small chops, and the good news is that it’s easy to pick up. Check out these simple, mind-blowing recipes for puff-puff, samosas, spring rolls, and pepper-sauced proteins. It’s a skill you can quickly master, so there’s no need to feel intimidated. Once you’ve got it down, focus on marketing yourself well and selling your talents to the world.
Essential Equipment Needed for a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
You don’t need much to start your small chops business. Here is a list of essential equipment, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen:
Freezer
Frying spoon and pot
Sieve or filter
Bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Blender
Capital Needed to Start Your Small Chops Business
As mentioned earlier, you can start with as little as ₦50000. This amount is enough to cover the cost of ingredients in small quantities, which is ideal since your initial customer base will likely be small. Let me share a personal story: When I first started my small chops business, I had almost no money. My first purchase was a non-stick pan, and I took professional photos as a chef to establish a brand image. I posted these photos on social media, and soon enough, people assumed I had opened a physical shop!
The next step was having my business name and logo designed professionally, which I posted alongside a small chops price list. Here’s the interesting part: I didn’t even have the funds to buy ingredients at that point! I worked on a pre-order basis, where customers paid upfront before I delivered their orders.
Getting Started with Ingredients and Equipment
With the money I received, I bought ingredients in small portions. I started with just a kilo of flour, a kilo of sugar (I already had salt and gas at home), a litre of King’s groundnut oil, a few sachets of instant yeast, and vegetables like carrots and green peas for ₦400, green pepper and spring onion for ₦200, and ₦500 worth of meat( I understand the situation of things in the country right now and how everything is expensive.
As a result, you will not get these ingredients for the prices listed here but not to worry, the ₦50000 will still be enough to start up the business).I focused on making spring rolls and samosas. For protein, I bought mini turkey in small quantities, just enough to get started. That’s how my small chops business began—from buying just one kilo of flour to eventually purchasing half bags of flour as my orders grew.
This is just my journey of starting a small chops business from home. Your path doesn’t have to be identical, but this story provides a glimpse of how you can approach the business. I’ve been there—I know what it takes to start a business. Whether you choose to start small or go big depends on your financial capability. My point is, with determination and some business knowledge, you can start with whatever you have.
How to Manage Your Capital Effectively
Now, let’s imagine you already have ₦50,000 as capital. Even with the rising cost of goods in Nigeria, this amount is sufficient to get you started. If you don’t already have essential items like a non-stick pan, measuring cups, spoons, or a sieve, you can allocate ₦30,000 from your capital to purchase those, and use the remaining ₦20,000 to buy ingredients.
In my list of recommended equipment, I mentioned a freezer and a blender. These are crucial for this business. You don’t want to be making small chops fillings every day; that would waste time and incur additional market trips. Instead, prepare your samosa and spring roll fillings in bulk and store them in your freezer. Then, when you receive orders, all you need to do is make the wraps, retrieve your fillings from the freezer, fry them, and deliver them fresh to your customers.
A good blender is also necessary, especially if you don’t have access to minced beef. With the right blender, you can mince your own beef, which is perfect for making the fillings. However, if you don’t have enough money to buy a blender, don’t panic! You can still achieve minced meat by dicing your raw meat very thinly—yes, I mean very thinly—and that can serve as minced meat. Alternatively, you can boil the meat first before blending it, as this method is something almost any blender can handle.
How to Get Customers for a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
Social media has made it much easier for business owners to reach potential customers. With just a mobile phone, internet access, and social media accounts like WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, getting customers can be straightforward. However, it’s important to brand yourself effectively. By “branding,” I mean having high-quality pictures of yourself, a well-designed business logo, and a memorable business name. This will help people take your business seriously and recognize it as professional.
Once your branding is in place, your next step is to spread the word. Start by telling everyone you know about your business—family members, friends, community members, church groups, and anyone else in your circle. You’ll be surprised at how many people actually need your services but don’t know you offer them. Don’t be shy about promoting your business—if you don’t tell people what you do, they won’t know. Make sure your small chops are tasty and well-made. No need to worry about that, though—my small chops recipe has you covered!.
If you’re in need of small chops pictures to showcase, feel free to check out my Pinterest page, where you’ll find plenty of high-quality images available for free. You can thank me later! One last tip: once you start posting about your products and services on social media, keep showcasing them consistently. If you stop, you risk losing relevance and your audience’s interest.
More Tips on Sourcing for Customers:
Collaborate with Other Vendors: Partner with event planners, caterers, and venues that host events. They can refer clients to you for small chops, helping you tap into their customer base.
Engage with Your Community: Participate in community events and fairs where you can set up a booth to sell your small chops. This allows you to reach potential customers and create awareness of your brand.
Handling and Storage Tips for your small chops
It’s important to know that the fillings for spring rolls and samosas spoil quickly, so having a good freezer for preservation is essential. Don’t let your fillings sit in the freezer for too long, especially as you’re just starting out. Begin by making fillings in small quantities until your customer base grows.
Marketing Strategies for a Profitable Small Chops Business with Little Capital
Social media is a powerful tool for marketing, so make sure you regularly post pictures of your small chops and related offerings on your accounts. I remember when I started my small chops business from home; the response I got from posting pictures was amazing. Customers would place orders, I’d set a delivery time, and then I’d deliver directly to their doorsteps. This simple strategy brought in lots of customers and even landed me contracts for events like birthday parties, weddings, and naming ceremonies.
Make sure to create a detailed price list for your small chops, including puff puff, samosas, spring rolls, and various proteins and also have different platters customised for your small chops business. Don’t forget to add a price for packaging your small chops as well. Since you’re just starting, I recommend opting for affordable yet appealing packaging.
Another strategy you can also consider is Whenever you fulfil an order, include a business sticker with your logo, phone number, and social media handles. This simple touch can help more people recognize your brand. You can also create business cards or flyers to distribute. For example, if you cater a wedding, bring some business cards or flyers with you. When people taste your food and like it, they’ll want to know how to reach you. Similarly, you can approach offices, such as banks, to offer small chops for lunch deliveries. The key is to actively seek out customers and promote your services.
Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for building loyalty and encouraging repeat business. Listen to customer feedback and use it to continually improve your products and services.
Financial Management
To maintain the financial health of your small chops business, it’s crucial to track your expenses, revenue, and profits consistently. Implement cost-saving measures such as reducing food waste, negotiating better prices with suppliers, and analysing your menu to identify low-margin or slow-moving items. You can choose to remove these items or adjust their pricing to enhance profitability. When sourcing ingredients for your small chops, seek out marketplaces that offer affordable prices while prioritizing quality. Building strong relationships with your vendors can also lead to discounts, further lowering your costs and increasing profit margins. As your business grows, don’t overlook opportunities to reduce packaging costs as well.
Regularly seek feedback from your customers to understand their preferences and areas for improvement. Adjust your offerings based on their input to ensure continued satisfaction and repeat business.
Expanding Your Small Chops Business
- Add More Menu Items: As you gain experience and customer feedback, consider expanding your menu to include more small chop options or even other snacks and finger foods that complement your offerings.
- Offer Catering Services: Expand your business to provide catering services for larger events. This can include creating custom small chop platters for weddings, parties, and corporate events.
- Delivery Services: Partner with delivery platforms to reach more customers who may prefer to order small chops from the comfort of their homes. This can significantly increase your customer base and sales.
- Host Cooking Classes: Share your skills by offering cooking classes where you teach others how to make small chops. This can provide an additional revenue stream while promoting your brand.
Networking: Attend local events, parties, and gatherings to connect with potential clients. Bring samples of your small chops to share with attendees. This not only helps you gain exposure but also allows people to taste your offerings first hand.
Conclusion
Starting a small chops business might seem challenging, but with the right strategy, determination, and a sprinkle of creativity, it’s absolutely achievable. To see how one start-up achieved remarkable success in the small chops industry, check out this inspiring story of how they made ₦100m selling small chops online with just 9 employees. Remember, every successful business started from somewhere—usually small. The key is to start with what you have, build your brand, and keep pushing forward, one customer at a time. Whether you’re armed with ₦50,000 or just an idea, the journey to building something significant begins with taking that first step.
Don’t underestimate the power of consistency, quality, and great customer service. Your small beginnings can grow into something much bigger than you ever imagined. So, get out there, make your mark, and watch your business thrive. Success is within reach—it all starts with taking action today. Don’t wait—start today!
Now, over to you: Are you considering starting a small chops business or already running one? What challenges or successes have you encountered so far? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other grow.