Every week, African Start-Up (http://edition.cnn.com/specials/africa/african-startup) follows entrepreneurs in various countries across the continent to see how they are working to make their business dreams become reality. Follow the show on Twitter (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart). (CNN)Big, loud and in-your-face, Lagos is a packed megacity where the streets are teeming with life and the buzz of innovation. Home to nearly 20 million people, Nigeria's economic nerve center constantly attracts big numbers of people pursuing fortunes and dreams. For entrepreneurs here, starting and growing a business can be fairly tricky work. It can also be exhilarating and full of opportunities.
With all of this in mind, we wanted to know what it was like to set up shop in Lagos. To get a lay of the startup landscape, we asked you to finish this sentence: "You know you're running a business in Lagos when..."
Using the hashtag #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=%23CNNLagos&src=typd), you delivered giving us the lowdown on the good, the bad and the ugly. Here's 13 signs you are a Lagos entrepreneur -- as chosen by people in the megacity.
1. You will always get stuck in traffic: You have to leave for your meetings at least 4hrs or more ahead of the scheduled time, if you are to make it early https://t.co/jsi05d9KxW
— Gossy Ukanwoke (@gossyomega) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/gossyomega/status/593432225888231426)
2. And even then sometimes it doesn't matter what you wear or how you pitch: the outcome of your meetings most times will depend on the type of car you arrived for the said meeting in :) https://t.co/jsi05d9KxW
— Gossy Ukanwoke (@gossyomega) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/gossyomega/status/593435978452303872)
If you come with an Oyinbo man, you'll get a response faster. https://t.co/mUlxp2QAjt
— Jesse (@JesseOguns) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/JesseOguns/status/593436490245545985)
3. At times, keeping the lights on can be a struggle (and not because you didn't pay the bill): You know you're running a business in Lagos when generator is your most expensive employee #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— Mark Essien (@markessien) April 30, 2015 (https://twitter.com/markessien/status/593742806679724032)
@celestocalculus (https://twitter.com/celestocalculus) @MrBankole (https://twitter.com/MrBankole) Generator is bae.... #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— Olawole Adeolu (@adeayol) April 30, 2015 (https://twitter.com/adeayol/status/593747981704257537)
@cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) @LaurenMoorhouse (https://twitter.com/LaurenMoorhouse) you run your generator at least 12hrs daily
— Hesey (@HeseyInspired) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/HeseyInspired/status/593436768403365888)
@cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) Erratic power supply. That affects not only Lagos but the whole of Nigeria. #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— Olumide Adeleye (@olumideadeleye) April 22, 2015 (https://twitter.com/olumideadeleye/status/590853092037431296)
4. Not that a little blackout is going to stop you: You know you're running a business in Lagos when...the lights go out and the hustle on the streets remains the same @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— JasonNjoku (@JasonNjoku) April 30, 2015 (https://twitter.com/JasonNjoku/status/593893895823630336)
@cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash) the hustle and bustle to succeed against all odds...
— Rich Opara (@rich_opara) April 30, 2015 (https://twitter.com/rich_opara/status/593797500915560448)
5. Sometimes business can be a waiting game: Expect to wait several hours in the waiting room to have a meeting with a potential new client or partner #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— The Connecter (@ChikaUwazie) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/ChikaUwazie/status/593434097218813953)
FACT: So long as you make an effort, you will always get a sale #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash) @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart)
— Davies Okeowo (@DaviesOkeowo) April 30, 2015 (https://twitter.com/DaviesOkeowo/status/593823095074529280)
6. But with a huge potential market, the sky's the limit for a good idea: The massive population of over 15Million people makes it encouraging to venture into one business or the other. #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— Ọlátunde ♠ (@Mr_Tsky) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/Mr_Tsky/status/593433715176513536)
@cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) #cnnlagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/cnnlagos?src=hash) lt is like hunting in a thick forest. To suceed, you have to understand the location and habit of your targets!
— Adedoyin Adedeji (@dhoyin) April 17, 2015 (https://twitter.com/dhoyin/status/589027051098808320)
7. You've got to work with officials: There is a heavy political undertone while doing business in Lagos. One way or another you will have to interact with the govt. #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— The Connecter (@ChikaUwazie) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/ChikaUwazie/status/593436668213862400)
8. And then there's the other unexpected expenditures... @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) govt levies, taxes and hiden charges could kill ur startup bfor it even began,get ready to grease palms #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— Jassie D Akinwole (@originaldayo) April 18, 2015 (https://twitter.com/originaldayo/status/589373969976971264)
u knw u'r runnin a busines in Lagos whn touts showup&identify demselves as Local Govt/council agents& levy u wit som crazy charges #cnnlagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/cnnlagos?src=hash)
— Damirez909fm (@Damirez909fm) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/Damirez909fm/status/593510441944395776)
#CNNlagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNlagos?src=hash): you will only know you're running a business in Lagos, if Agbero come knocking at your door for owo ile
— Tobi Enitan Kuton (@ennykut) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/ennykut/status/593482135362740225)
9. Offers are key to stay ahead of your rivals: @LaurenMoorhouse (https://twitter.com/LaurenMoorhouse) U knw U are running a Biz in Lagos when U constantly have 2 give discount & offer VAS 2 stay ahead of competition #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash)
— 'Seun Bakare (@InkMaitres) April 29, 2015 (https://twitter.com/InkMaitres/status/593446261359026176)
10. But despite the trials and tribulations, you can always find a solution: @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash) that moment when all your Silicon Valley and Harvard Business Models don't make sense anymore, welcome to Lagos!
— Rich Opara (@rich_opara) May 1, 2015 (https://twitter.com/rich_opara/status/594192107650347009)
@rich_opara (https://twitter.com/rich_opara) @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart) Lagos, the only place where the laws of economics are defeated
— Timi (@OgaTimi) May 2, 2015 (https://twitter.com/OgaTimi/status/594439524949843968)
You know you're running a business in Lagos when you pivot to solve a problem blocking your initial solution. #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash) @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart)
— Nubi Kay (@NubiKay) May 1, 2015 (https://twitter.com/NubiKay/status/594088176475582464)
Context: ...when a mobile ticket business becomes an online payment business. #CNNLagos (https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNNLagos?src=hash) @cnnafricanstart (https://twitter.com/cnnafricanstart)
— Nubi Kay (@NubiKay) May 1, 2015 (https://twitter.com/NubiKay/status/594088800780947457)
11. Your phone is constantly stuck to your ear and that means... @LaurenMoorhouse (https://twitter.com/LaurenMoorhouse) LOL