In Nigeria, if you want to embark on a project, there’s really no organised information about the precise cost of the project, potential contractors to get it done as well as information about the reliability of the contractors. It is this need that Ephraim Anierobi noticed that prompted him to establish DoMore.ng. Innovation-village caught up with Anierobi in this exclusive interview where he told us about his startup and much more. Excerpts.
Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Ephraim Anierobi. I’m a software developer and the founder of DoMore.ng.
Can you tell us about Domore.ng and what it has to offer Nigerians?
DoMore.ng is Nigeria’s first home improvement social site designed to help homeowners and renters do their home projects by hiring vetted professional home service providers such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, etc. based on who neighbours have used, project and cost history, and friend and neighbours’ endorsements.
It offers a single source to evaluate projects, understand costs, and find professionals based on trusted word of mouth recommendations. Nigerians will find it much more useful in doing their home project. DoMore.ng was launched on 31st of November, 2017 with very basic features. We are in MVP stage right now and have gotten a lot of feedbacks which we are using for full product development. The good thing is that there’s a market for us.
What prompted you to setup DoMore.ng? How will you describe the response to your product since your launch?
I discovered that, in this country, there’s no organized information about home improvement contractors and specific types of projects they have done, at precise costs, for neighbours and similar homes. This means that if I want to do any home project, like a kitchen remodel, roofing etc. I wouldn’t know how much it would cost and I wouldn’t know which contractor to hire, that’s the best for that particular project. This is frustrating and painful.
Being a software developer, I started thinking immediately how to solve this problem through technology. Right now, I have DoMore.ng to solve this need.
I’m super excited to tell you that we have more than 300 home service contractors registered on our website right now. This is amazing considering that the full product is not yet out and we have completed 3 mini projects since launch.
What is unique about your product?
DoMore.ng is unique in that it helps home service professionals experience more business, better exposure, and higher revenue.
We don’t just give you one professional when you need a job done. We allow 4 professionals apply for your job request. You interview them, ask for past works in pictures, negotiate prices with them and choose who you think would do a better job based on the interactions and their past works you have seen.
What are some of the key challenges you have encountered in the journey to establish your startup?
I have had challenges but the most pressing is combining my coding with my full-time Job as an Engineer in a beverage company.
From your personal experience, what does it take to be an entrepreneur in Nigeria?
It takes nothing short of perseverance because Nigeria is still a developing country. So many things are not going the way they are supposed to go.
What is your vision for DoMore.ng? Any word of advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Our vision is to discern the potential of every home. For budding entrepreneurs, my advice is “Do not procrastinate”. Whatever idea you have, let it out immediately.
