Introduction
Over the weekend, I was searching for an open space with a friend where we could do some driving practise. After driving around for some hours, I realized something. Lagos does not have open spaces! We went as far as Ikoyi from the mainland, and then we headed towards Mile 2 through Oshodi.
It was so striking that the only place we saw was along Oshodi - Apapa expressway, close to Mile 2.
It was a space of about 8 plots joined together. We got there only to find out(from some rough looking boys) that we had to pay about NGN500 to practice there. Can you imagine that?
They even offered to teach us if we didn’t have a car and then they gave us a little driving manual.
This is a good idea if you have such a plot of land lying somewhere.
What you need
of course you need a manager (who knows how to drive)and an assistant who should also know how to drive.
If you have an old car (Manual transmission preferably), it would be great but if not don't worry. People will still come with their cars.
Get a sign post/board for you business. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. You need to consider Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), they will come for registration of you sign board. You can always do without it for now.
Get you staff name tags/badges or uniforms - it makes your business look professional.
Clear your land and make it fit for driving a car. You don't want flat tyres and muddy soil on your business premises.
How to get people to come
Your customers are probably people who own cars, drive cars or about to buy cars. The Where do you meet them?
You can design a one page flyer for your business which should include
-you location
-how many cars can drive comfortably there
-how cheap it is for a whole day etc
These flyers can be distributed at
-bank lobbies
-your church, after church service
-public notice boards
-Car sellers and also help you give fliers to their customers and so many others. Just be creative
From here
You could easily go ahead and upgrade the center to a driving school complete with cars and attractive female instructors, just let your imagination go.
One more thing
You could go into a partnership with someone to build a temporary bar/relaxation spot where your guests can relax after driving sessions (of course they have to sign an agreement that they won’t mind being run down by one of your trainee drivers lol!)
