Chapter 8: The Long Game
Three years had passed since Chanda first arrived in Lusaka. Now 18 years old, he stood at the helm of a thriving business empire that had grown beyond his wildest expectations. His decision to bide his time and let himself mature before taking bolder steps had paid off.
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Saving for the Future
At 15, Chanda had realized the challenges of being young in a competitive world. Many vendors still saw him as "the boy from Kaoma," unworthy of leading a team or running a large-scale operation. His lack of a National Registration Card (NRC), a requirement for most formal business activities in Zambia, had further complicated his ambitions.
Rather than fight the system, Chanda decided to play the long game. He focused on growing his savings, expanding his business gradually, and studying the art of management. By the time he turned 18, his meticulous planning had yielded impressive results:
Savings: 250,000 ZMW
Monthly Revenue: 50,000–60,000 ZMW
Employees: Three part-time helpers for market stalls and deliveries.
Despite this success, Chanda knew he was only at the beginning of his journey.
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Growing Up
Turning 18 was a milestone for Chanda. With his NRC now in hand, he felt a new sense of legitimacy and freedom. He could now open a formal business account, apply for larger loans, and hire full-time employees without fear of being dismissed because of his age.
The first thing he did was register his business officially as "Chanda Supplies Co." With the paperwork complete, Chanda rented a small office space in Makeni, a quieter part of Lusaka, and began laying the groundwork for his next big move.
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Building a Team
Chanda knew that growing his business required assembling a reliable team. Over the years, he had observed other businesses fail due to poor management and untrustworthy employees. Determined not to repeat those mistakes, he set strict criteria for hiring:
1. Trust: Employees had to come highly recommended or be people he had observed in the market for years.
2. Skill: They needed to understand the basics of sales, inventory, or logistics.
3. Work Ethic: Chanda valued hard work above all else, knowing it was the foundation of his success.
Through his connections, he hired Mwila, his long-time ally from Soweto Market, as his operations manager. She brought years of market experience and a strong rapport with suppliers. Chanda also brought on Temba, his childhood friend from Kaoma, to handle logistics and deliveries.
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Expanding to New Markets
With a team in place, Chanda began expanding his operations beyond Lusaka. He set his sights on Ndola and Kitwe, two bustling cities in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. These regions were rich with schools, businesses, and opportunities for trade.
To minimize risks, Chanda started small, sending trial shipments of goods to trusted vendors in each city. The results were promising, with steady sales and positive feedback. Encouraged, he opened his first out-of-town stall in Ndola's central market, followed shortly by a second in Kitwe.
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Lessons in Leadership
Managing a team and multiple locations brought new challenges. At first, Chanda struggled to balance delegation and control. He often felt the need to oversee every detail personally, which left him exhausted and slowed decision-making.
One day, Mwila pulled him aside. "Chanda, you've done well to build this business, but you can't do everything yourself. Trust your team. That's what we're here for."
Her words hit home. Over the next few months, Chanda worked on improving his leadership skills. He held weekly team meetings, set clear goals, and gave his employees the freedom to make decisions within their areas of expertise.
The results were immediate. Productivity increased, and Chanda found himself with more time to focus on strategic planning.
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Balancing Personal Growth
While his business grew, Chanda also focused on his personal development. He attended workshops on business management, took online courses in finance, and read every book on entrepreneurship he could find.
He also made a point to give back to the community that had supported him. Every month, he donated school supplies to underprivileged schools in Lusaka and Kaoma. His generosity earned him admiration and strengthened his reputation as a businessman with a heart.
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The Turning Point
By the end of his 18th year, Chanda's empire had reached new heights:
Revenue: 80,000–90,000 ZMW per month.
Savings: 400,000 ZMW, reinvested into inventory and expansion.
Employees: Eight full-time staff across three cities.
One evening, as he reviewed his records in his Makeni office, Chanda felt a mix of pride and determination. He had built his business from the ground up, but he knew this was only the beginning.
Looking out over the Lusaka skyline, he thought of the promise he had made to himself years ago: to become the richest man in Zambia.
With his team, resources, and vision in place, Chanda was ready to take the next big step toward achieving his dream.