Hey guys,
They say doctors are one of the busiest people on earth. Always on the move, never found lacking. If they aren't attending to patients or attending seminars, they are researching the next big thing. They are mostly satisfied with what they know how to do best, BEING A DOCTOR.
Well, not this Doc., young, intelligent, resilient and hardworking...and he is Nigerian.
So freaking excited!
The first time I met him I was so intrigued that I started marketing for him without even knowing it.
He is someone I admire (believe me which is rare) and respect( which even more rare, don't blame me, take a good look around). Anyway, I am sure you guys can't wait too. So I will stop my chitchat and have you read his interview.
Oh, his is name is Dr. Olakunle Oladehin, the brain behind the BHEERHUGZ BRAND!
If you didn't know, now you know…you can thank me later.
Real Gentlehawk: Can we meet you and what do you do?
Olakunle: I am Dr Olakunle Oladehin. I am a physician, a researcher, a family oriented man and lastly a young Nigerian entrepreneur. I live and schooled in Lagos, Nigeria, I have been in Lagos all my life. Everyone has a story, so do I. It was never easy.
Real Gentlehawk: What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business?
Olakunle: Being the restless person that I am, I had to channel my spare time into something I had passion for. Something I was confident that passion will see me through no matter how hard things got. Change is a constant requirement in everything we do. You see, we cease to exist once we cease to change. My key driver for change has been "continuous improvement".
Real Gentlehawk: How did the idea for your business come about?
Olakunle: My passion for hospitality started while in medical school. As director of socials, I had the opportunity to play around with several ideas just as any teenager would. I fantasized about being an actor, owning a restaurant and still practicing my medical profession at the same time.
Real Gentlehawk: How do you build a successful customer base?
Olakunle: From the very onset, it was clear that having a successful restaurant would require that first timers coming back. It was also important that we understand and track our customers. So even when we do not see them, we still want to engage with them. Hence, we took full advantage of technology.
We created our loyalty Card platform (Hugz Fun Rewardz) which has really grown over the last 4 years and also improved in terms of user interface. Card holders get a lot of benefits and rewards, and more importantly, we also get to engage them even when they haven't visited in a while.
On the flip side, we also believe in giving back to the society. Supporting noble causes that elevate mankind. We recently gave out 100s of insecticide treated nets in our support to End Malaria scourge as well as support voluntary organizations as part of our corporate social responsibilities.
Real Gentlehawk: Can you please describe your typical day?
Olakunle: I sleep mandatorily for 6 hours everyday. I dislike to talk on phone. Love to be the on social media and most importantly spend time with my family - which is the highlight.
Real Gentlehawk: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Olakunle: My greatest fear is failure. I however understand that failure sometimes is part of the game. Take calculated risk and leave the rest to God.
Real Gentlehawk: How do you define success?
Olakunle: Empowering people and creating more entrepreneurs.
Real Gentlehawk: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Olakunle: My father, Samuel Olafemiwa Oladehin. A seasoned accountant who taught me 30 years ago that no matter what profession i did in life, i must know and embrace the principles of accounting. Being a man of God, He also taught me to have the fear God and always do good. His legacy lives on as he passed away in 2007.
Real Gentlehawk: I am sorry, may his soul rest in peace.
Olakunle: Thanks, I wish he was still around to see what he started.
Real Gentlehawk: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
Olakunle: I am not one to pick up books.......though, I am writing my own book. Hope you will read it. LOL
Real Gentlehawk: Why not, if you send me a copy. So what have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Olakunle: I failed in almost everything at some point in life. I failed pathology in medical school, I have failed in relationships, in other business endeavors. Like I said earlier my greatest fear still is failure...... then again, failure is part of the journey. My biggest lesson from failure is timing. Many factors contribute to failure, however, Timing is the biggest of all.
Real Gentlehawk: What advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Olakunle: No idea is stupid. You are better with something you have passion for. All you need is timing or let's say Perfect timing, if you understand what I'm trying to say...... Hit the rod when it is hot!!
Real Gentlehawk: Thank you so much for the interview.
Olakunle: It was a pleasure!
So you hear it from the horse’s mouth, keeping it true and real, will the the long run get you to that place. Keep pushing, loving and feeding your passion is all you need to be great. Giving up ain't an option! Try and try again. Failure is just a way of telling you, yep, I just learnt another way of not doing it that way.
Therefore, I leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein.
So peace out,
Your Gal,
Real Gentlehawk!
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