For Nigerian entrepreneur Ayokunle Okuneye, entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming a journey of exposure, learning and discovery beyond the boundaries of Nigeria. His recent business trip to Europe offered more than a change of scenery. 
It provided an opportunity to explore international business models, observe established industries and gain fresh perspectives on how ideas, products and institutions develop into successful enterprises.
One of the major stops on his journey was Bologna, Italy, where he attended an exhibition dedicated to building materials and the construction industry. The experience offered him an opportunity to examine products, technologies, manufacturing processes and business models shaping the global building and construction market.
For an entrepreneur, exhibitions of this nature serve as valuable learning environments. They provide direct access to emerging technologies, established manufacturers, innovative products and conversations about how industries respond to changing market demands. Beyond the products on display, they offer insights into business positioning, product development, industry partnerships and competition in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
His European journey also took him to the Ferrari Museum in Italy, an institution that tells the story of one of the world’s most recognisable automotive brands. Ferrari represents more than automobiles. Its legacy offers lessons in engineering, craftsmanship, design, brand identity and the long-term value of preserving a distinctive vision.
For him, exploring such an institution presents an opportunity to appreciate how technical excellence, a strong heritage and a clearly defined identity can contribute to building a globally recognised enterprise. Ferrari’s story also illustrates how a company can turn its history and expertise into enduring commercial and cultural value.
From Italy, Ayokunle travelled to Switzerland, where he visited the FIFA Museum in Zurich. The museum offers a window into the history, culture and global influence of football, a sport that has grown into an extensive international business ecosystem involving broadcasting, media, sponsorship, merchandising, tourism, events and strategic partnerships.
The visit provided another perspective on how an institution associated with a single field of activity can develop a global presence through effective organisation, storytelling, commercial partnerships and the ability to connect with audiences across different countries and cultures.
The contrast between the building materials exhibition in Bologna, Ferrari’s automotive heritage and FIFA’s global sports ecosystem made the journey particularly instructive. Each destination represented a different industry, yet all demonstrated how innovation, institutional development, strategic positioning and a clear sense of purpose can shape lasting influence.
For Ayokunle, these experiences form part of a continuing entrepreneurial education. Building a successful enterprise requires more than identifying an opportunity and establishing a business. It also involves remaining curious, studying how other markets operate, understanding international standards and identifying ideas that can be adapted to local realities.
His European experience reflects the importance of looking beyond familiar environments to understand how businesses evolve, how industries create value and how established institutions maintain their relevance across generations.
From the construction industry in Bologna to Ferrari’s engineering legacy and the global business of football at the FIFA Museum, Okuneye’s travels offered three distinct perspectives on a central entrepreneurial question: How can ideas, expertise and opportunities be developed into enduring businesses and institutions?
For an entrepreneur seeking new possibilities, sometimes the next business lesson begins with a journey.
