Funmbi Faneye is a poultry farmer with an interest in crop farming. He started Joshella Farms Services Ltd in 2012 and started operations in January 2013 after he left banking. He has had over 13 years of combined experience in FMCG and banking before venturing into farming having had stints with Procter & Gamble Nig Ltd, Citizens Int’l bank ltd and Zenith Bank Ltd. His banking experience ranges from Retail Banking, Oil & Gas group, internal control & Audit, Public Sector, and Card Services.
Below is a Summary from the show The Fear of Starting with Funmbi Faneye
Funmbi Faneye shares his Story after losing 14years of Hard work in the Banking Sector and starting over. The CEO recounted his beginnings from Palmgrove Shomolu, a suburb in Lagos to waking up to a message of his end of service at the bank. He shared his thoughts after losing 14 years of hard work this without another Plan, a Plan b to fall back on. He adduced that his fear at the time was that he hadn’t been involved in any business in his 14years in the banking sector and this with the fear of Starting over.
Armed with the memory of rearing a number of chickens at a young age, his journey into farming began despite his many Qualifications and Work Experiences. He described his journey into farming as happening after a meeting with a poultry farmer at his friend’s event. Taking a liking for the venture, he took some lessons to learn the ropes prior to laying the groundwork for his own farming business.
He spoke on reactions from his family during his transition saying that they were of the opinion that his CV could still get him a job. Albeit, speaking on the fears of starting he referred to a quote by Franklin Roosevelt as, “the thing you have to fear is fear.” He advised against perfection tendencies while hinting on the need to start small by small. Although, he assented to fear as being of a good cause he hinted on the need for one to still prepare by reading books and collaborating with people.
According to him, no one was born a Successful entrepreneur, still, one needed to learn, have a thick skin, be Passionate and focused. He motioned on working-class persons to always have a Plan B seeing that the Nigerian economy was fast moving away from White-collar jobs. He further submitted that many businesses were failing and laying off their staffs still he advised that people take up other businesses on the side as they work. In his final words, he maintained that fear was only a feeling that keeps people in their comfort zone and only exists if they never try.
