Chukwudi Iwuchukwu is a lawyer and entrepreneur who has carved a niche for himself in the media industry. He is the founder of Visage media , a PR company which has given visibilities to a lot brands in the country. He is also a social media influencer and has always bared his on burning national issues.
As activities lined up for his 37th birthday anniversary slated for 28 December kickstarts today,he spoke with ANAMBRA PEOPLE and shared his experience about the media industry and the challenging part of being a entrepreneur in this part of the world, excerpts.
WHAT TRIGGERED YOUR PASSION TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?
One of the things that influenced me to be an entrepreneur is my friend Chijioke Ezekpudoghu, he was already an entrepreneur doing well for himself and that influenced me to start something for myself drawing inspiration from what Chijioke has done.
GIVE US A LITTLE INSIGHT ABOUT HOW YOU STARTED YOUR BLOG AND WHAT ACTUALLY HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO ACHIEVE WITH IT?
Actually, I’m no longer a blogger, I run a media business called Visage media. We into marketing for brands and we help to connect them to their target audience. I was inspired by the endless possibilities of social media and the drive was to see how to use it and connect businesses that are interested in growing their brand and reaching a new audience. I think we have done that successfully in the past 5 years
WHAT BIG IDEAS DO YOU HAVE AS AN ENTREPRENEUR IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
One of the things I hope to do in my lifetime is to run a bigger business than Visage media. I’m thinking of starting a Visage group with an interest in different sectors of the economy.
By Gods grace, we shall start one of our new businesses soon.
HAVE YOU EVER FAILED IN BUSINESS? IF YES, WHAT KEEPS MOTIVATING YOU TO START ALL OVER AGAIN?
Yes, I failed as a blogger. I used to have a blog that is not active again, revenue was not coming in at a point and that was the reason I stopped and diversified into branding and marketing. But it was a learning curve for me. I learned the lessons and then started again by incorporating Visage media. Looking back, I think I made the right decision.
WHAT IS THE TOUGHEST PART ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
The media business is tough and one of the businesses in Nigeria that the Return on Investment is very slow in coming in. The macro and the micro situation in Nigeria affects our cash flow and revenue because we are a service business and once the clients you are working for are not making money as they used to, it affects the bottom line of our business. Another issue is getting the right talent to run the business with. Hiring the right staff is a big issue.
WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS, OR ROLE MODELS IN BUSINESS, WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THEM IN BUSINESS?
I think my biggest role model is Peace Mass Transit Chairman, Sir Maduka Onyishi who happens to be one of my clients. I have seen first-hand what he has done with Peace Mass Transit and how he has grown it to a behemoth.
That inspired me to keep pushing knowing that dreams come true and your life can change in a decade.
Another big influence in my entrepreneurial journey is HRM Ebuka Onunkwo,
He lost $3.2 million to his Turkish partners,bounced back from it to found what is known as Seahorse industries Nigeria limited.
These 2 individuals have had a big influence in my life and I’m grateful for their mentorship.
About Author
