When people hear about solar energy, they often think of panels, batteries, and wires.
But for Michael Olaitan, co-founder of PowerNow PayLater, solar has been more than a business—it has been a classroom.
Through years of building in the solar industry, Michael has picked up lessons that every founder—whether you’re in tech, agriculture, or retail—can learn from.
1. Solve Real Problems, Not Just Exciting Ones
Nigeria doesn’t have a power problem. It has a reliability problem.
Generators work, but they drain wallets and pollute the air. Solar offers a cleaner and cheaper solution—but only if people can afford the upfront cost.
That’s why Michael Olaitan and his team started PowerNow. Not because “solar” was trendy, but because millions of families and businesses were tired of spending half their income on fuel.
As a founder, you have to keep asking: Am I solving the problem people are truly facing, or the one I find exciting?
2. Education is Part of the Product
Michael Olaitan quickly learned that selling solar isn’t just about panels—it’s about trust.
Many people have seen fake products or poor installations. They’re skeptical.
So, part of the company’s work has been teaching:
- how solar works
- why quality matters
- how financing can make it affordable
If you’re building anything new, don’t just sell. Teach. Educate your market. The more people understand, the faster they adopt.
3. Execution Beats Ideas
The solar industry is full of big promises. But what keeps people coming back isn’t the pitch—it’s the light in their home at night, the business running without noise or smoke.
As Michael Olaitan often emphasizes, founders must realize that everyone starts with ideas. What separates the dreamers from the builders is execution. Deliver consistently, and your customers will do your marketing for you.
4. Stay Resilient in a Tough Market
The truth? Building in Nigeria isn’t easy. Policies change. Costs rise. Customers are cautious.
But every challenge has forced Michael Olaitan and his team to be more creative, more efficient, and more focused.
That’s the founder’s journey: resilience. You don’t win by avoiding problems. You win by adapting to them.
Final Thoughts
As Michael Olaitan’s journey in the solar industry shows, entrepreneurship is not just about building companies—it’s about solving problems, earning trust, and staying resilient.
Whether you’re in energy, tech, or retail, the lessons remain the same:
Solve real problems
Educate your market
Execute relentlessly
Stay resilient
At the end of the day, every founder shares the same mission: to make life better for people. The industry may differ, but the lessons are universal.
