A Nigerian vendor has sparked conversations online after sharing her experience of being asked to inflate the price of wedding souvenirs in order to benefit someone else financially, which she firmly declined. The incident highlights the challenges small business owners face when asked to compromise on their principles for quick profit.
The vendor, identified on social media as Yemmie (@Emerytarah000), revealed via X that she was approached to supply palm oil souvenirs for a wedding scheduled in November. She explained that the person who referred her for the job insisted she should add ₦1,300 to the price of each litre of palm oil so he could pocket the extra amount. According to Yemmie, her standard selling price was ₦3,600 per litre, but the man pressured her to charge ₦5,000 simply because the couple getting married lives abroad.
Yemmie emphasised that such a move would have compromised her business credibility and ultimately decided to turn down the deal. She wrote:
“I told him I wanted to sell at ₦3,600 per litre, but he insisted I should tell them ₦5,000 just because the couple lives abroad. I explained how this would affect my business, but he still wouldn’t listen. So, I told him to get another vendor. A better opportunity is ahead.”
She went on to underline the importance of fairness and integrity in business dealings. She recounted a previous positive experience earlier this year, where a fair agreement led to repeated opportunities and built trust in her partnerships. Yemmie stressed that while giving a percentage to someone who connects you to a job is acceptable, adding a personal markup on top of her price and still expecting a cut is unethical and undermines credibility.
“Business is about fairness and integrity. Earlier this year, someone brought me a souvenirs job and we agreed on a 60/40 sharing. Everyone was happy, and since then, that same person has brought me three more jobs. That’s how partnerships grow, through trust. There’s nothing wrong with giving a percentage to whoever connects you to a gig. In fact, I encourage it. But what is wrong is adding your own markup on top of my price and still expecting me to give you a cut again. That’s double-charging, and it kills credibility,” she wrote.
She also provided insights on the actual cost of her products, saying that branded palm oil souvenirs shouldn’t exceed ₦3,000 per litre. She explained that her wholesale dealings allowed her to sell at ₦2,600 per litre, while ₦3,600 accounted for the stress of measuring and preparing the products. She concluded by reiterating the long-term value of honesty over quick gains.
“For example, a branded palm oil souvenir shouldn’t cost more than ₦3,000 per litre. I sold at ₦2,600 because I deal in wholesale. The only time I pushed to ₦3,600 was when I factored in the stress of measuring. At the end of the day, integrity keeps customers coming back. Quick gains without fairness may look sweet today, but they close doors tomorrow.”
Yemmie’s post quickly drew reactions from social media users, many applauding her for prioritising honesty over short-term profit. Users praised her stand for integrity and expressed hope that better opportunities would follow. Among the reactions, @Ajokehub wrote: “Because of your honesty, God will send better gigs to you.”
In response, Yemmie said: “Amen, in as much as I need that sales omo make nobody spoil my name abeg.” Her post serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining principles in business, even when faced with tempting shortcuts to immediate profit.