Building a Business on Calls: How PressOne Found Its Path to Profitability

In Nigeria, where reliable phone systems can be elusive for small businesses, Mayowa Okegbenle and Opeyemi Shokunbi saw an opportunity. Their company, PressOne, provides cloud-based telephony solutions that give even the smallest enterprises professional call management features—automated greetings, extensions, intelligent routing, and complete interaction records.

The Problem PressOne Solved

Before PressOne, Nigerian SMEs often struggled with basic phone functionality: calls dropping, connecting after multiple attempts, or being lost when employees left. For Okegbenle, the frustration was personal—using his own mobile number for business meant zero oversight and no control over customer interactions.

“I just couldn’t fathom using my personal line for business,” he explained in a recent interview. “I can’t see who’s talking to customers or what they’re saying.” Leveraging his software background, he built a solution for himself that became the foundation for PressOne.

From Acquisition to Retention

PressOne gained traction quickly after launching in 2021, but its founders soon realized customer acquisition was only half the battle. The real challenge was converting rapid adoption into long-term profitability—particularly with a subscription model where customers weren’t accustomed to recurring charges.

The company’s experience highlights a critical lesson for startups: acquiring users is just the beginning; building a sustainable business requires retaining them and delivering consistent value over time.

The Evolution of PressOne’s Offering

Initially, PressOne focused on providing essential call management features. But as they learned from customers, they expanded to include analytics dashboards, payment integrations, and even virtual receptionist services—addressing additional pain points for Nigerian SMEs.

“We realized our customers weren’t just looking for a phone system,” Shokunbi noted. “They needed a complete communication platform that could help them grow their businesses.” By continuously adding value beyond the core offering, PressOne transformed from a simple utility into an essential business tool.