Think about the last job you did really well. A wedding cake that made the whole family go quiet. A website that finally made a client’s business look serious. A kitchen you fitted in three days with no drama.
Now ask yourself: where is the proof?
For many skilled Nigerians, the honest answer is “in the client’s phone” or “somewhere in my gallery between memes and screenshots.” The work was excellent, and it has already disappeared.
Your past work is the strongest thing you own. A stranger can’t know how careful you are from a bio, but they can see a before-and-after, or read two lines from someone you served last month.
Some habits that cost almost nothing:
- Take the photo before you hand it over. Finished work looks best on the day it’s done.
- Ask for a line while the client is still happy. “Can I use a sentence from you?” is an easy question right after a good delivery.
- Write down the numbers. “Delivered 120 cupcakes in 4 hours” says more than “fast and reliable”.
- Keep it organised. A folder per client takes five minutes and saves you from hunting through old chats.
Do this for a year and you will have a record that speaks for you in rooms you are not in. Build the habit now, and the next time someone asks “can you show me something you’ve done?”, you’ll answer immediately.