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Juliet Akoje

 Crosstie Solutions, a people development and management consulting organisation, has marked its 13th anniversary by supporting 13 micro, small and medium enterprises with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business registration as part of its anniversary impact initiative.

The initiative, themed “Registered and Ready to Scale,” was designed to help emerging businesses take an important step towards formalisation, improved credibility and access to larger business opportunities.

The anniversary event brought together beneficiaries, business leaders, partners, members of the entrepreneurial community and the Crosstie Solutions team for conversations around resilience, business structure, growth and sustainability.

Paying Forward an Act of Support

Speaking at the event, Adebayo Adegun, CEO and Lead Partner of Crosstie Solutions, explained that the initiative was inspired by his own entrepreneurial journey.

“When I started Crosstie 13 years ago, I got my first training opportunity but could not complete the process because I did not have a registered business or corporate bank account. At that point, my mother gave me the money I needed to register the business,” Adegun said.

“That act of kindness helped us take our first formal step. Thirteen years later, supporting 13 entrepreneurs with their own business registration is our way of paying that support forward.”

Adegun added that the initiative was also intended to encourage the beneficiaries to see formalisation as the beginning of a bigger journey rather than an end in itself.

Registered and Ready to Scale

The keynote speaker, Mary Dogun, Founder of MAY’S CHILLS, spoke on the theme “Registered and Ready to Scale,” sharing practical lessons on building, structuring and growing a sustainable business.

She emphasised that business registration is not the finish line, but an important starting point that can open the door to bigger opportunities. 

A Turning Point for Beneficiaries

For some of the beneficiaries, the initiative addressed challenges they had experienced while operating informally.

One entrepreneur explained that the absence of formal business registration had made it difficult to open corporate accounts and had resulted in missed business opportunities over the years.

“This means I can finally open corporate accounts and compete for the kind of business opportunities I’ve been missing out on for years,” the beneficiary said. “It’s a big step for my organisation.” 

The 13 beneficiaries were selected through communities supported by the initiative’s partners and received their business registration certificates during the anniversary celebration.

������Ƶ Growth Requires More Than Registration

Also speaking at the event, Treasure Enyinnaya David, Convener of Africa SME Assembly, described the initiative as a practical investment in small business development.

“What Crosstie Solutions has done here goes beyond ceremony. It’s a direct investment in the growth of small businesses and the people behind them,” David said. 

Promise Omondia, Founder of The Tote Bag Shop, also spoke on what it takes to build and scale a business, highlighting faith in God and commitment as important foundations for entrepreneurs.

He noted that formal structure and registration are most valuable when backed by the right values, discipline and the willingness to keep going through difficult seasons. 

Celebrating 13 Years of Impact

Founded in 2013, Crosstie Solutions has spent the last 13 years supporting organisations through people development, leadership development, organisational transformation and performance improvement.

The firm works with organisations and institutions across areas including leadership capability, communication, organisational culture, strategy and corporate performance. 

Adegun noted that the anniversary was also an opportunity to appreciate the clients, partners and team members who have contributed to Crosstie’s growth over the years.

“No organisation grows alone. Our clients trusted us, our team members—past and present—helped us build, and our partners have continued to support the work we do. This anniversary belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey,” he said.