Pure Water Sellers earn millions of dollars: From penny to riches
Introduction
The practice of pure water selling is often seen as a simple, low-income hustle, but it has become thriving in recent times and has transformed ordinary street vendors into millionaires
I’ve always been curious about how these sellers can make a profit after selling pure water for five hundred dollars back in the day
The act of selling pure water requires strategic thinking, as it can affect both local street vendors and large distributors. We cannot function without water. Consequently, its need is remarkable
Photo taken by me
Pure Water Business
1. Understanding the Market Demand
Water is a fundamental requirement for human existence. People in my countries, particularly Nigeria, drink a lot of sachet water every day in hot climates. Due to the strain caused by my job as a driver, I consume up to 8 sachets of pure water daily. All individuals, including construction workers, students, and traders, require clean drinking water
The demand for selling pure water is always constant and unchanging. In contrast to other businesses that may face seasonal fluctuations, pure water vendors always have a customer base
2. Low Startup expenses lead to High margins
Selling pure water has the added benefit of being able to start off with minimal capital. Wholesale prices for a bag of sachet water (about 20) vary between 800 and about 1,500, depending on location. The sachet is sold at a profit margin of at least 50%
What is the basic Breakdown of Profits for a retail business?:
The cost of one bag with 20 sachets is around 1,000
Sell each sachet for 50-100
Revenue from one bag: ₦2,000
Profit from one bag: ₦1,000
A daily profit of 50,000 can be achieved if one sells 50 bags every day
By scaling up and investing, a smart seller can earn 1. The number of monthly salaries exceeds that of many office jobs, which is equivalent to 5 million
3. Achieving Scale: From Street Seller to Business Owner
A lot of people start by carrying pure water on their backs or using a cart, but the smart people use their earnings to grow and expand their business
My observation :
Begin your journey as a hawker by Selling directly to customers in the city
Purchasing in large quantities and providing supplies to smaller vendors is the second step, which involves becoming a mini-distributor to other sellers
Step 3: Invest in A storage space: A deep freezer or storage room can be used to store bulk amounts and sell them for resale at inflated prices
Creating a pure water factory is the next step for successful entrepreneurs who create their own brand of purewater
I want to introduce two inspiring stories about Emmanuel and Glory, who turned pure water selling into billions of dollars
Photo taken by me
The Story of Emmanuel: From Hawking Pure Water to Owning a Factory
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Emmanuel is the child of an impoverished family. He began selling water on the streets when he was 18 because his parents couldn’t afford to send him to university. He would wake up at 5 AM, buy bags of water from a supplier, and then walk miles under the hot sun
He had a low net worth at first, but decided to save instead of misusing his money. Every week, he saved up some of his earnings. If you’re struggling with saving, consider joining a reliable contribution group. He had saved enough for a second hand wheelbarrow six months later, which allowed him to carry more water and serve more customers
He doubled his profits by hiring two boys to help him sell by the end of the first year
In his third year, he discontinued selling on the street and started offering products to shops and supermarkets instead. He arranged for a small storage unit, acquired ice cream, and broadened his distribution. Additionally, he established a small enterprise under his name
After a period of five years, Emmanuel had amassed enough funds to launch his own pure water production factory. He acquired equipment, underwent NAFDAC approval, and introduced his merchandise. He shifted from selling goods on the streets to being a supervisor, employing over 100 people, astonishingly
Emmanuel’s company produces and distributes thousands of bags of water each day, providing water to markets, schools, hotels, and events. His background as an impoverished street vendor led him to become a successful businessman
The Story of Glory: From dejection to Perfection Through Pure Water
Glory, a single mother with three children to care for. Her husband’s mistreatment caused her to face harsh realities, and she faced difficulties in finding employment. Her job as a housemaid persisted, but her salary was unsatisfactory. She wept until she fell asleep each night, wondering how she would manage to survive
While parked outside her rental room, she witnessed a woman selling pure water while stuck in traffic. Despite her tiredness, the woman was determined to succeed
According to Glory, the woman is making a profit. “Why am I hesitant to try something new?”
She spent the remaining 2,500 by purchasing five bags of pure water and began selling under the hot Sunday day
The initial day was a struggle. Several drivers passed by while she was driving, with some showing her disregard, others insulting her, and others dousing her with unclean water. She had sold everything and received a payment of 5,000 by the evening. The following day, she doubled her money and put it back into the stock
Glory had saved up enough for a small kiosk sale after six months, where she sold soft drinks and biscuits and snacks as well as water
In her second year, she switched to becoming a wholesaler and supplied smaller vendors in the area
Glory established her own pure water factory in the fifth year, manufacturing her personal brand of sachet water
Glory no longer represents the woman she once was. All of her children have gone to school, and she has possessions such as a house, car, etc. Her life was forever changed by a simple dream and the initial payment of 2,500.
Key takeaways from Emmanuel & Glory’s triumph
1. Start Small, Think Big
Many people tend to ignore businesses that appear small at the beginning. Every major corporation had a starting point. Pure water may seem like a trivial matter, but serious individuals can generate income from it
2. Reinvest Your Profits
Emmanuel and Glory chose to save and invest in their businesses instead of purchasing indulgences. Growth requires discipline
3. Expand Beyond Retail Selling
The genuine income can be attained by scaling up and transitioning from a hawker to supplying and eventually manufacturing
4. Solve a Real Problem
By providing clean drinking water to thousands of people, both Emmanuel and Glory achieved success. The solution was not limited to the sale of water; instead, they resolved a problem
Is it possible to make a profit by Selling Pure water, as I have previously mentioned?. After conducting extensive research, finding, observing, and experiencing, I have come to the conclusion
Selling pure water is not just a hobby, it can be an enormous empire if done correctly
Success hinges on:: 1. Success is not achieved through overnight hard work and persistence
2. Efficient money management involves saving and reinvesting your funds
3. The expansion strategy is to grow from being a seller to an exporter. 4. Maintain a consistent supply of clean and affordable water without jeopardizing customer confidence
A lot of individuals have become wealthy by vending pure water. What do you think?