The day my best friend caught me using her supplier

Last year during harmattan I was chasing this dream camera gear. The one that costs like ₦850k. I had been saving but the money wasn't moving fast enough. So I started selling custom tote bags on the side. Small small orders from my Instagram.

My best friend, Tola, she has been running a fabric business since our NYSC days. She has this supplier in Balogun that gives her the best ankara at wholesale. One day I needed fabric urgently for a client order. I called her supplier directly without telling her. Just said I was Tola's partner.

She found out when the supplier asked her about the new designs I was making. Tola called me at 10pm. She said, 'Temitope, you went behind my back to use my supplier? After everything I taught you about this business?' I tried to explain that I was just trying to build something for myself. She said, 'You could have just asked me. I would have helped you.'

We didn't talk for three months. Three months of silence. I was angry and she was hurt. Then one Sunday she sent me a voice note. She said, 'I forgive you. But next time tell me. We are sisters.' I cried 😭

Now we run a joint pop-up shop together. The camera I wanted? I bought it last December. But I learned that ambition without transparency will cost you the people who actually want to see you win.