As the world has become a global village with the internet, borders are no longer barriers to shopping, especially in African countries. Heroshe continues to defy the odds with her seamless shopping experience on the continent.

The first time I used Heroshe to ship some items from the USA to my place here in Nigeria, I became an unofficial ambassador of the company. Not just me, a lot of people are giving the company great reviews too.

If you need a succinct review of Heroshe, kindly check the previous post published here.

Previously, Heroshe only shipped from the USA to Nigeria, but the good news now is that Heroshe has started facilitating shipments from the UK to Nigeria and Ghana.

What does this new update mean?

You now have more choices to buy a range of products from any store in the UK or USA and get it to your place in Nigeria or Ghana.

For instance, if you want to buy anything gadgets or appliances, you know that USA online stores like Amazon, eBay, BestBuy, etc. are there for you. 

The UK is known for luxury brands for fashion and apparel ranging from classic tailoring on London’s Savile Row to trendy streetwear from brands like Topshop. Or maybe footwear from brands like Clarks and Dr. Martens. Or stylish and eclectic home decor items from classic homeware at John Lewis to contemporary designs at Habitat.

This new update from Heroshe really opens the door to a broader range of products!

How to Ship Items from the UK Using Heroshe

Just like shipping from the US, the process remains simple and efficient, ensuring that shopping across from the UK stores to Nigeria and Ghana is a hassle-free experience.

Here’s how to start;

1. Sign Up or Log In

If this is your first time hearing about Heroshe, you will need to create an account before you can do anything.

If you click here to sign up, you’ll be given $2 in your Heroshe wallet, I will also earn the same for inviting you (Note that this is not compulsory).

If you’re an existing user, simply login to your account.

2. Get Your UK Address

You don’t need to do or pay for anything, once you sign up successfully, login to your account, and your personalized UK address will be waiting for you.

You can use this address on any store you’re shopping from, as the personalized address acts as a local point of contact between you and the store vendor.

Once the vendor sends the item(s) to your UK address, Heroshe will take over the rest.

3. Start Shopping

Go to any UK store of your choice, go to the settings tab, and change your location or address to this personalized UK address given to you by Heroshe.

(Note that you don’t need a VPN while you’re exploring items on the UK stores, in fact, don’t use a VPN at all as the online stores may detect it and your account may be banned.)

Once you change the address on the store to your UK address, start browsing for items, add items to your cart, and proceed to checkout.

4. Delivery to Your UK Address

Once you are done paying for the items, the online store will send your package to the UK address you added.

And Heroshe will immediately notify you once they receive your items.

From there, you can start tracking the day you’ll receive the items in Nigeria or Ghana.

5. Get your items in Nigeria or Ghana

After 14 days the items get to your UK address, and Heroshe will send them to your country.

Note that you will need to use PayPal to top up your Heroshe wallet so that you can pay the shipping fee. If you don’t have one, watch this YouTube video for a guide to create one for free.

If you’re in Nigeria, your items will land in Lagos, if you’re in Ghana, they will send the item to your house directly.

You can then go to the Lagos warehouse and pick up your item free of charge.

But if you’re not in Lagos, don’t worry, Heroshe is not leaving you yet, until you get and confirm the item(s). At this junction, you can ask Heroshe to ship the items down to your city but you’ll pay a small fee of course.

In my own case, I live in Osun State, here in Nigeria and Heroshe sent the item to me via a logistics company, not even a public bus.

So either you go to the Lagos warehouse to pick up your item for free, or you pay a small fee to have it delivered to your city. Either way, Heroshe promises you will get your items.

Shipping from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana is as simple as that. 

But there’s a problem. 

Not with Heroshe but with Nigeria and/or Ghana. Most of the time, it is very difficult to pay for items in foreign stores.

You did nothing wrong but your card will be declined because of where you’re coming from.

That’s a really big problem.

We thought virtual dollar card providers were here to help but they all turned out to be something we’d never expect.

Don’t give up, Heroshe can still help you.

Aside from shipping, Heroshe also offers “Buy for Me” services.

What is Heroshe’s Buy for Me?

Image Credit: Heroshe.com

Picture the Heroshe’s Buy for Me as someone you send to the market to help you buy groceries. 

You give an item of what you want to buy to the person, you give the person the money to buy the items and also, you pay for his time and transport.

All you have to do is to expect the person to hand over the groceries to you.

That makes sense right?

Heroshe can become your shopper, all you need to do is to contact them that you would like to use their Buy for Me services and the customer care rep will take it up with you.

UPDATE: I contacted Heroshe support a few hours ago and I learned that the buy-for-me service is currently on hold, so depending on when you are reading this, kindly contact the support if the service is available.

What you need to know about Heroshe’s Buy for Me services

• Heroshe will not recommend or scout for items, you will send them links to your preferred items and they’ll buy them for you.
• Heroshe’s Buy for Me services cost an additional 20%. E.g if the item you’re buying is $200, you’ll be paying $240 in total or its equivalent in your local currency.
• Paying the 20% additional fee doesn’t mean you’ll not pay for shipping, you’ll still pay for shipping.

And that takes us to the next big question;

How much does Heroshe charge for shipping items from the UK?

Heroshe charges $8 per lb or pound to ship from the UK down to Lagos in Nigeria where you can go pick it up for free.

If you cannot go to the Lagos pickup station for your items, Heroshe will charge you an additional $15 to send the item to your house in Lagos.

If you’re outside Lagos, Heroshe charges an additional $20 to get the item to your city.

Heroshe doesn’t have a pickup station in Ghana for now, so the cost to get your item from the UK to your house in Ghana is $18 per lb or pound.

It is also worth noting that Heroshe would round up any float to a whole number.

For instance, if the weight of the item you want to ship is 10.5, heroshe will round it up to 11. If it’s 2.5, it’ll become 3.

What’s the breakdown to ship from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana?

The breakdown to ship your items from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana with Heroshe (Let’s assume the weight is 4.5 lbs) will look like this:

• If you’re shipping to Ghana

Cost of item —- $200

Buy for me  —- $40

Ship to Ghana – $90 (5 x 18)

Total           —– $330

So you’ll be paying Heroshe a total cost of $330 and if you can pay for the item yourself, remove the Buy for Me, you’ll now be paying $290.

• If you’re shipping to Nigeria 

Cost of item ——- $200

Buy for Me  ——- $40

Ship to Lagos —- $40 (5 x 8)

Total             —— $280

If you can pay for the item yourself, you’ll be paying $240 to Heroshe. If you want to get the item in your house in Lagos, you’ll be paying an additional $15. If you’re outside Lagos, you’ll pay an additional $20.

If you want to pay yourself, you might consider using reliable card providers. For instance, Chipper Cash works for me

Start shopping beyond borders with Heroshe!

Heroshe’s expansion to support shipping from the UK to Nigeria and Ghana marks a significant stride towards creating a truly global shopping experience. 

With its user-friendly platform, cost-saving features, and commitment to customer satisfaction, Heroshe continues to be a frontrunner in transforming international shopping into a seamless, accessible, and exciting endeavor. Say goodbye to borders and hello to a world of shopping possibilities with Heroshe.

This update not only reflects Heroshe’s commitment to customer satisfaction but also its dedication to staying at the forefront of international shopping trends. 

As the world of e-commerce continues to evolve, Heroshe remains a reliable companion for shoppers seeking the best of both local and global markets.

Sign up here to get started.

If you have any questions that are not covered in this blog post, kindly contact Heroshe customer support on Twitter or on the website.

Getting a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria is very simple, fast, and free of charge. I’ll be showing you how to get one for yourself or your business.

But before then, Why do you need TIN?

Taxpayer Identification Number (or “TIN”) is simply a number attached to you or your business that keeps track of your tax history.

it is an important number that every individual and business must have because it is your responsibility as a citizen of a country or a business in that country to pay Tax to the government.

Recently, a popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo was given a 7-day ultimatum to pay her ₦18m tax bill or she’ll be probed.

I was trying to create an Upwork account last week and I was asked to drop my TIN before I can fully utilize Upwork’s services.

Aside from paying Taxes, you need a TIN if you want to open a corporate bank account for your business or company.

And depending on what you need from Banks or any institution such as a loan or grant, they may require your TIN.

If you’re a freelancer or someone trying to apply for a job abroad, your TIN may be compulsory before you’re considered.

So let me show you how to get Personal and Business TIN in Nigeria starting with personal first;

How to Get Personal TIN in Nigeria

You can decide to visit the local FIRS in your city or local government to apply manually or you do it online.

If you want to do it online yourself, continue reading.

The requirement to Get a Personal TIN in Nigeria

• Bank Verification Number (BVN)
• National Identification Number (NIN)
• Date of Birth
• An Email Address
• A passport photograph

If you have those items in place, let’s go!

Step 1: Go to this link:

https://tin.jtb.gov.ng/TinIndividualRequestExternal

Step 2: Fill in all the details and hit the search button.

Note: The reason why you’re searching is that it is very possible that a TIN has been automatically created for you.

Step 3: If no record is found, proceed to submit a request by filling in the next form

Step 4: Once you submit a request, you’ll receive a confirmation email that your request has been processed.

Here is what it looks like:

Note: Your request ID should be hidden from any other person.

Now you’re asked to wait while your request is processed.

Now the question is how long will it take to get your TIN?

The answer is within a week.

I got mine in just 5 days (weekends included).

That’s how the email with your TIN will look like.

Now, let’s talk about non-individual taxpayer numbers.

How to get Non-individual TIN for your business, company, or startup in Nigeria

Just like we did individual TIN, the same approach is applicable here.

But let’s talk about the requirements.

Requirements to Get Non-individual TIN in Nigeria

• Your CAC registration details

That simply means you must have registered your business, startup, or company with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

If you haven’t, read this guide on how to register your business in Nigeria. For a company or startup, you should use the service of a lawyer.

Note: TIN is always registered for your business or company automatically upon registering with CAC. So you may not need to create TIN as a standalone.

But if there’s a reason TIN is not created for you, proceed to do it yourself.

Here is how:

Step 1: Go to this link:

https://tin.jtb.gov.ng/TinRequestExternal

Step 2: Fill in the details required and submit your request.

Step 3: Wait for a confirmation email and subsequently wait for your TIN in a few days.

That’s how everything about getting a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in Nigeria.

But here are a few questions and answers about TIN registration in Nigeria

Q: How much does it cost to get a TIN in Nigeria?

A: It’s free of charge.

Q: How long does it take to get a TIN in Nigeria?

A: Less than a week.

Q: Who needs a TIN in Nigeria?

A: Every individual and business entity in the country.

Q: How do I verify a TIN in Nigeria?

A: To verify a TIN, go to https://tinverification.jtb.gov.ng/, and fill in the details accordingly.

Q: How do I get a TIN certificate in Nigeria?

A: Go to the link above, once you verify, a button to download the certificate.

That’s How to Getting a TIN in Nigeria 

If you have any further questions about Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) in Nigeria, kindly consult the local FIRS office in your local government.

Or contact the Joint Tax Board below

Now you don’t have any problem getting a TIN in Nigeria. You’re welcome.

It is a new year and you’ve been thinking of how you can build a successful business but don’t know how or where to start. Let’s talk about that and see if you’ll learn something, or be inspired.

Some businesses fail because they’re following old blueprints which no longer work effectively to build their startup.

We’ve learned a lot between 2020 and 2021, and we’ve seen how businesses are affected by the ongoing Corona Virus pandemic. But ideas to start or build a business are waxing stronger in us, how are we going to bring these ideas to reality?

But is 2022 the right time to start a business?

Yes, it’s never too late to start a business in 2022 and you are still going to see rapid growth if you put in all the efforts.

Regardless of the Coronavirus and its variants, you’ll agree with me that starting and building a business these days is easier compared to a few years ago as a result of technology and more investors who’re ready to provide capital for a futuristic business plan.

According to a report, investors spent more than $140 billion to support startups in 2017 and the figures have increased ever since then till date. This shows how people like you are creating something or a platform that solves a ‘problem’ and how people are ready to support it. 

If you’re also planning to launch your startup, you’re welcome, it’s never too late to be phenomenal.

Aside from investors who’re ready to invest, you don’t necessarily need to build your business by renting a big hall or apartment for office use, thanks to COVID-19, you can gather your team and work remotely, while you’re saving a lot of money that will go into office setup.

If you have a good business plan or startup idea and you’re worried about what to do next, the following tips will help you get started;

7 Tips to Build a Business in 2022

#1. Do Your Research and Understand Your Mission

You see, a lot of people see other people building stuff and they got jealous to build something too – this is a wrong motivation to start a business. 

You have to think clearly about what you want to do, you ask yourself: “In what way(s) can this idea or business help people?” – emphasize “help people”.

If you want to start a fashion design company, do your research thoroughly and understand that you’re about to build a type of business some people have built already. So, how are you planning to get better and beat your competitors?

For instance, can you think of a unique fashion trend and dominate it for the long term? If yes, what fashion trend and how can you hit the market with your idea?

You have to plan all these, you just don’t voluntarily jump into the ocean without knowing if it’s safe or not. If it’s not safe, then how are you going to survive?

#2. Get a Team Members with Common Goals

The spirit of being the CEO and (sole) founder is part of what’s killing some businesses and startups to date. I’m not saying you can’t build a business alone, you can! But you can’t survive alone. If you survive alone, you won’t go far alone.

People (Team) Working Together – Credit: Pexels.com

You have to understand this concept. If you read about big business builders in the world, you’ll notice one thing that’s very common to them – they don’t build alone! 

Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, etc., will tell you that they called their friends when they were about to start their company. Why? It’s simply because they need teammates who can work with them to achieve their primary and respective goal(s).

The reason is simply that if one is falling, another person will lift him. And this boils down to you looking and calling the right people to join you or else if you fall, that’s the end of the business.

So look for the right people in your circle, during meetups, on social media, share the business idea with them and be patient to see those who’ll be ready to join you.

Getting team members here is different from hiring people. You have to look for someone or some people who’re ready to take ownership of the business and work diligently.

They can in turn be your co-founder, CTO, etc… Just make sure you’re careful and patient enough to see someone with the same common goal.

#3. Start Building with the Little You Have:

You know the type of business you want to build and you have someone or some people who are ready to work with you. The next thing is to start building that business with the little resources you have.

The mistake most people make is that they’re waiting for the “perfect time” and that time translate to when they have sufficient money to invest in the business. The truth is that that perfect time won’t come unless you start now.

And I will like to say this if you’re starting a new business but you don’t have money to invest personally, you’re still not going anywhere. It’s either you get a job, make money and come back to that idea or, you sell the business idea to someone else.

The bottom line is that you have to start from you, even if you will need investors to inject capital into your business, you have to show them something – your ideas + efforts.

#4. Create Good Information and Communication Flow

As part of what you’re starting with, is how you can bridge the communication gap between your business and your target audience (investors included). That’s why you need to invest in creating that information and communication flow.

This is not a big deal at all, you just need to create an online presence for your business by getting a website, getting on social media, and investing in Email marketing or CRM tools.

If you can’t build the website yourself, you can hire freelancers to get the job done for you, there are free email marketing tools like MailChimp that you can get started with. You can hire an expert to manage your business’s social media handles for you too. The person will be in charge of content creation, posting, and attending to comments.

Having a website is very important, if it’s just a landing page, do it and let people know about your business from there and use your social media handles to keep telling people about your mission, not that loudly tho.

#5. Start Expanding the Business

You’ve tried a lot, but it’s not the time to relax. It’s time to start thinking of expansion. I mean expansion at all lengths.

If you launch your business to focus on people in Canada and they accept it with open hands, it’s time to expand to New York, and then to Paris, to Africa, etc.

In your team as well, you need to have some people who will be in charge of marketing, human resources, engineering, international relation, legal, and many departments within your company.

With great power comes greater responsibility, the more you’re growing, the more you should expand.

But what if your company can’t afford to hire people you need to run the business as you’re thinking of expanding, is that the end? No, it’s not!

#6. It’s time to Seek Business Funding

This is not a must if your business can afford to finance itself, but I bet it can. As a startup that’s at the entry or expansion stage, you need money to take care of a lot of things and some people are ready to provide that money!

There are people called Angel investors and some are called Venture capitalists, these people are in the business of investing in other businesses to make a profit. No money is too big to invest for VCs as long as your company’s evaluation is also big.

If you think your business need funding, kindly check this blog post on how to get one for your business.

#7. Don’t Stop Expanding; Invest More in Your Business

You’re not there yet. Start investing more in advertising, your team members, think of innovation and, acquire other related small businesses.

Just don’t stop growing!

I hope these tips will help you start that business in 2022 and I believe you can conquer the world, don’t worry, start today!

If you love what you just read, kindly consider subscribing, and don’t hesitate to use the comment box below to let me know your feedback.