How I sold 39 cars to Mayweather

Obi Okeke is the co-owner of American based prestige car dealership, Fusion Luxury Motors. His clientele list includes Floyd Mayweather, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Britney Spears and the likes. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE in this interview on his foray into being a celebrity car dealer, among other issues. Excerpts:

How I carved a niche for myself

I would say it is the result of me following my passion for cars. I’ve always stayed true to myself in the automotive industry and it has always paid off. My focus was always to learn, and try to be the best. I always knew what I wanted, but did not know exactly how to get there. So after years of trial and error here I am. I’ve always appreciated every opportunity that came my way.

Foray into being a car enthusiast

The journey began when I was only four years old. I remember being very intrigued with automobiles while in Nigeria. My father at that time had a classic American car in Enugu, Nigeria, and he would take us for a ride in it on Sundays.

So when the Nigerian Civil War broke out, my mother took us out of Nigeria; we were five children at that time. My father, being a Nigerian, had to stay and fight in the war. So my mother, my sisters, brothers and I arrived in the USA as refugees.

Nigerians making waves in Hollywood

They are Nigerians and they are world class entertainers. From movies, to art and music, these Nigerians are forces to be reckoned with in their various choices of career. DOYIN ADEOYE writes about Nigerians making waves in Hollywood.

Chiwetel Ejiofor
A renowned British actor of film, television and theatre, Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in July 1977 in London to Nigerian parents. He gained a scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after he enrolled at the National Youth Theatre in 1995 and by age 19, and only three months into his course, Chiwetel was chosen by Steven Spielberg to play a small part in Amistad as James Covey.

His archive of awards and nominations include the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award in 2006, five Golden Globe Award nominations and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in Othello in 2008.

Finance’s simple rule: ‘No risk, no profit’

Christian Ngan is the CEO, Madlyn Cazalis, a bio-cosmetics company that produces natural body oils, lotions and soaps for ethnic skins. Starting with only $3,000 in 2012, the company is now worth million dollars. Recognised by Forbes Africa as one of 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa 2014, he speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE in this interview, on what it takes to run a successful business in Africa.

What exactly does Madlyn Cazalis stand for as a brand?
Madlyn Cazalis is an all-natural African cosmetic company. We fight against bleaching products and through our brands, we provide quality African-owned products. I noticed that we don’t have enough major African international brands; we depend a lot on foreign products, forgetting that Africa has a lot of resources that we could work with. So Madlyn Cazalis is an African identity; the Zebra logo represents our African pride.
So what spurred you into being an entrepreneur?
I left Cameroon in 2002 to study in France. I was working in the Private Equity and Investment Banking Industry. I achieved my main goals: attending great universities and having professional experience, but I needed more. I needed to express my creativity, be my own boss and build something new, especially for Africa. So in 2012, I resigned and started my own company.

Piracy can never be eradicated, but...

Rykardo Agbor has been in the Nigerian movie industry for 23 years. Making waves in both the English and Yoruba sector of the industry, the actor who hails from Cross River State, speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on his experience and prospects of the industry, among other things.

A friend introduced me to acting
I started acting through a friend, Leo Mirani. We were both fashion models then, but he was the one who introduced me to acting. I had always had it in me, but I never knew how to go about it. So, we both went for an audition, after which we went for cast selection for a TV commercial. When we got through with that, he took me to a movie audition and I remember Fidelis Duker was the one who coordinated it; that was in 1992. I got picked, my friend wasn’t. And that was the beginning for me.