Should I quit my job and start a farming business?

This is the story of Wendy.

"Hello Ifeoluwa,

I am thinking of making a decision about my future and it scares me a lot. I will really appreciate your opinion on this. Hopefully you see this message.

My name is Wendy and I have been in the corporate space for over 16years building a career, and it has been a rollercoaster. I have enjoyed many opportunities from my current job, promotions and good pay but in recent times I have felt no joy or fulfilment from my job.

I am a middle-aged woman who has always taken the safest options in life and at this point I feel like I need more from my life than going to a job that I no longer enjoy.

Farming business has currently caught my heart. I have always loved nature and animals, and I also believe farming can be a very lucrative business. I am currently tempted to quit my job and buy a farmland to start my farming business with the savings I have.

Do you think I should go ahead?"

My response

"Hi Wendy! Thank you for reaching out.

I understand the need for change you are feeling, the need for more in your life especially as a middle-aged woman. I have some questions I will like you to answer. You need to ask yourself some hard business questions and the answer will give you more clarity.

Have you run a successful business before? Running a business in Nigeria is an extreme sport.

Do you have any experience with farming?

When do you project that the business will start yielding enough returns to keep things running and be able to sustain you financially as well?

With what you've shared with me here are some things I will suggest:

-Reflect on why you've stopped enjoying your job. Most often than not, it might be an easy fix.

-Ask yourself this "what am I really looking for? Excitement, adventure, fulfilment and do I really need to start a business to find it?"

-You mentioned that you love nature and animals, have you considered having a mini-farm as a side-project without necessarily quitting your career or making the farm your primary source of income?

-If your current workplace is no longer serving you, have you considered getting a new job?

If after answering all these, you still feel the need to quit and start farming full time, then you have your answer.

Side-note: Most farming businesses don't survive the first year, most that survive are hardly profitable.

I hope this helps you in your decision-making."

What would you advise Wendy?

Share your thoughts with Wendy in the comment section.

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