LAGOS – Ikotel Communication Ventures Ltd has become one of the prominent players in the distribution and sale of massage machines and digital blood pressure monitors in Nigeria.
Ikechukwu Anigbo, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the company, told Daily Independent that he established the company because he wanted to promote good health among Nigerians.
He said that he wanted the people to know some of their health numbers by making digital blood pressure monitors available and accessible to them.
He added that it was his quest to make Nigerians to be physically fit that he started selling and distributing massaging machines.
He also disclosed that he found out that people welcomed technology in managing their health and cannot do without it.
Anigbo disclosed that he first came into the business in the process of taking care of his sister’s business, adding that his sister was in the same line of business.
“I started by taking care of my sister’s business and ended up loving the business in the process,” he posited.
On how he came about the name Ikotel Communication Ventures Ltd, he said that he derived it from his middle name Ikechukwu.
He, however, disclosed that he first started selling phones before he ventured into his current business.
He said that he has been an entrepreneur for 19 years, adding that he has experienced ups and downs as an entrepreneur.
On how many hours he usually works every day, the chief executive officer of Ikotel Communication Ventures Ltd said the number of hours he works every day depends on work and matters that need to be attended to, adding that he usually works seven hours on a normal day.
On the outline of his typical day as a young entrepreneur, he said that he has had to “make sacrifices in order to build the business to the point that it can run without my presence, which has been my dream.
“So basically, there is still so much work to do and I am not sleeping on it as an entrepreneur,” he asserted.
On whether being an entrepreneur affects his family life compared to when he was single, he said that it does positively, adding that he gets support from his partner who manages the online aspect of the business and advises on how to make business investments.
He stated being an entrepreneur has positively affected his family life “because two goods heads are better than one”.
Speaking on the Nigerian business environment, he described it as hostile and unfriendly to business people.
Anigbo said inadequacy of infrastructure like power; good road networks, water and others make it difficult for business to thrive in the country. He argued that if power is provided to small businesses most of the challenges that entrepreneurs face in the country will disappear.
“Small businesses are the engine room of the Nigerian economy; they employ a large majority of Nigerians and the government should put policies and programmes that will enable them to thrive. If small businesses thrive, they will employ more people, pay more tax and there will be less crime in society,” he posited.
He stated that the instability in foreign regime is killing business in the country, adding that it is incumbent on the government to restore stability to the foreign exchange market.
Anigbo, asserted that integrity and honesty stand him out as an entrepreneur, adding that he likes to keep to the high standard he has set for himself, saying “because I am fulfilled when customers receive value for their money.”
On what advice he has for young people who are looking forward to doing better in their careers, he said that they should hone their skills and learn all they need to, adding that the sky will be their limit if they work hard.
“The economy is very tough but there is more that can be achieved in the country. Nigeria is work in progress and we will get there soon with all the policies being introduced by the government.
There is always light at the end of the tunnel….. We just have to endure for a while,” the young entrepreneur asserted.
On the next big phase in his entrepreneurial journey, the chief executive officer of Ikotel Communication Ventures Ltd stated that he is planning something big that will employ over 3,000 Nigerians, adding that the project will soon be unveiled.
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