Know Whether the Deal Is Worth It — Before You Commit Your Capital

Before you start

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers on fees, discovery, verification and what you can reasonably expect. Anything not covered here, ask me directly before you pay.

• How do I know which service I need?

  If you need direction — market choice, product viability, pricing structure, supplier strategy or how to start — start the International Trade Strategy Advisory. If you already know what you want and need it executed, start with the Project Discovery Fee for Global Sourcing, Agricultural Commodity Buyer Representation or Import & Export Business Plan Development. If you are unsure, message me on WhatsApp and I will point you to the right one before you pay anything.

• Why do I pay before the advisory instead of after?

  Because the fee pays for the review itself. Your questionnaire and documents are read in full before any recommendation is written, so what you receive is a considered strategic assessment rather than a general conversation. This is working time, not a sales call.

• What is a Project Discovery Fee and is it an extra charge?

  It is the first paid stage of a done-for-you project: assessment of your requirements, a feasibility and risk review, scope definition, and a written proposal with the final fee and timeline. It is not an extra charge — if you accept the proposal and proceed, the discovery fee is credited in full against the final project fee.

• What happens after I submit a form and pay?

  Payments are verified manually, normally within one business day. For the advisory, your submission and documents are then reviewed and you receive a written strategic assessment with recommendations, risk observations and a next-step action plan — with voice-note explanations where useful — delivered by email or WhatsApp, followed by three business days of limited clarification support. For done-for-you services, scope and feasibility review begins and your written proposal follows. There is no automatic verification, so submitting a form alone does not confirm an engagement.

• Are the fees refundable?

  Fees become non-refundable once review or preparation has begun, because that is what the fee pays for. If payment has been received but no work has started, a refund request is considered in good faith. Duplicate payments are refunded. Full detail is in the Payment, Refund and Cancellation Policy.

• How quickly do I receive the advisory, and how is support handled?

  Once payment is verified and your questionnaire is complete, the written strategic assessment is normally delivered within a few business days. Advisory responses are provided during business hours within agreed response windows. This service does not provide continuous or unlimited live-chat access.

• Do you guarantee that a supplier will be found or a deal will close?

  No, and any consultant who does should worry you. Fees pay for professional work, judgement and honest findings. If a project is not commercially feasible, I tell you plainly and explain why — that finding is itself part of the value, and it is usually cheaper than discovering it after you have committed funds.

• Is the final project fee the same as the price shown on the site?

  The prices shown are starting points. The final fee depends on product complexity, supplier location, quantity, verification requirements and overall scope. It is always confirmed in writing in your proposal before the main engagement begins. Nothing beyond the discovery fee is charged until you accept that proposal.

• Is my business information kept confidential?

  Yes. Your documents, supplier details, pricing and specifications are used only to assess and deliver your requested service, and client identities are never disclosed in case studies. Where a project requires contacting a supplier, buyer or inspection body, only the details needed for that step are shared.

• What is the difference between Aisha Usman and ASMAN Prime Hub?

  Aisha Usman is the consultant you work with directly — strategy, advisory and judgement. ASMAN Prime Hub Global Services Limited is the registered company through which sourcing, export coordination and transaction execution are carried out. One relationship, with a registered company standing behind the execution side.

• Which countries and clients do you work with?

  Clients across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe — importers, exporters, manufacturers, procurement teams, e-commerce brands and entrepreneurs building private-label lines. Advisory delivery and project communication run over email and WhatsApp.

• How do I pay, and is my card safe?

  Payments are made through Flutterwave using the secure link for your chosen service. Card details are entered on Flutterwave's own platform and never touch this website. All that is submitted here is the payment reference and your receipt, used for manual verification.

• What is not included in the advisory?

  The advisory is limited to the submitted matter and clarification of the recommendations provided. It does not include supplier sourcing, extensive market research, document preparation, quotation development, negotiation, costing, logistics coordination or transaction management. These services are quoted separately. The three business days of support cover brief clarification only; new research or execution work is a separate engagement.

• What payment terms apply to trade transactions?

  For the professional service itself, the discovery fee is paid first and the remaining balance is quoted in your written proposal and paid before kickoff. For the underlying trade transaction with a supplier, TT terms are typically a 50–60% deposit, with the balance paid before shipment, after inspection or against agreed documents, depending on the transaction. For larger or higher-risk deals, an LC at sight is usually the safer structure and I will say so.