KENNETH UGBO

Abuja-based, twenty-eight-year-old Kenneth Ugbo is a dynamic businessman, leader, and speaker. He is the founder of the Cramn Group of Companies and later established Vault Win Limited, showcasing his prowess as a young entrepreneur pushing boundaries.

Our conversation with him at THE PUSHERS was not only insightful but also a delightful journey into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur.

NANCY: Good afternoon, Mr. Kenneth Ugbo. Thank you for being featured in THE PUSHERS debut. I was deeply impressed by your outstanding profile on LinkedIn. Naturally, this sparked my curiosity about the motivations behind establishing Cramn Group of Companies and Vault Win Limited.

KENNETH: Cramn Group of Companies was established in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The motivation behind it was to consolidate all my business ventures, including Real Estate, Logistics, Event Planning, and Digital Marketing, under one roof or umbrella. Initially, I entered into a partnership with some individuals, but unfortunately, they didn't share the same dedication to the business. Consequently, I decided to create Vault Win Limited, a separate entity that would not provide the same services as Cramn. Vault Win's focus was directed towards digital marketing, online games, and voting processes. This strategic decision was made to prevent any conflicts of interest with Cramn Group of Companies.

In the beginning, Vault Win's administration and operations were managed from my sitting room. As the business expanded, I secured an office space and furnished it accordingly. Consequently, I delegated the management of Cramn Group of Companies to the individuals with whom I had entered into a partnership. I firmly believe that we are all presented with equal opportunities, and how we seize those opportunities depends on our actions

NANCY: Despite the remarkable success we've witnessed, challenges are an inherent part of every journey. Could you share some insights into these challenges and the strategies you've employed to rise above them?

KENNETH: You can't achieve much without people. However, it's crucial to recognize that they come with their baggage. In the case of Cramn Group of Companies, there were partners who felt entitled. I also hold the belief that in life, there might be shortcuts. We are all on specific journeys, and there are individuals who have walked similar paths from whom we can seek guidance.

The initial problem I encountered was dealing with many individuals who didn't appreciate the opportunities given to them, leading to a sense of entitlement. Everyone wanted to have a say in decision-making. My younger brother and fiancée were also part of Cramn as partners. Involving family in business adds a different dimension because these are individuals you can't do without.

Having family members as partners wasn't easy, especially because other partners felt I treated them differently. As I mentioned earlier, Vault Win started in my sitting room. It was smoother with Vault because I already understood how the business works. The success of a business isn't solely based on the nature of the input but on the leader spearheading it. Consequently, I had to redefine the mentality around staffing.

Despite knowing that a female friend from primary school wasn't entirely qualified, I appointed her as the Managing Director. My principle has always been to give everyone the opportunity to learn. In business, responding to sentiments opens the door to mediocrity. Most of my staff were women, and I realized that when a woman is unhappy, it affects the workflow. I addressed these issues, corrected attitudes, and had to make tough decisions. Enmity surfaced between myself and some employees, reminiscent of the challenges at Cramn. The MD left abruptly, and I had to bring in more male staff while encouraging some female staff to resign, preferring persuasion over terminations.

NANCY: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from the ISM University of Management and Economics, along with your Software Engineering Skills, could you briefly share your journey and experience in the field of ICT?

KENNETH: Information Technology and Software Engineering both fall under the umbrella of ICT. Being a software engineer in Nigeria is challenging. I learned ASP.NET, C#, and web design. After graduating from the university, I recognized that the skill set I acquired was highly valued. However, unless I worked for very large firms, most individuals wouldn't be able to afford these services. Some people guided me towards programming languages that a typical business owner in Nigeria could afford. Consequently, I learned PHP to create straightforward websites.

NANCY: Whats with the name Brown Billionaire? It seems to have taken over your branding which includes your Podcast – The Billionaires Hub. Can you tell us more?

KENNETH: The name Brown Billionaire originated in 2014/2015 during my tenure at Byplus under the leadership of the late Mr. Niyi. As a young entrant into the workforce, I joined unlike my colleagues, many of whom were university graduates and had completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). While my peers were receiving a monthly salary of #50,000 (unknown to me at the time), I boldly requested to be paid #60,000. When this became apparent, my colleagues were puzzled about how I could negotiate a higher salary. During a conversation about Aliko Dangote, I confidently declared that one day I would become a billionaire like him.

One of my colleagues mocked me, questioning if I even had up to #10,000 in my account. The reality was that I only had about #5,000 in my bank account. However, I confidently responded that the amount didn't matter. In my mind, I was already a Brown Billionaire, and I steadfastly held onto that belief. I asserted that I would inspire numerous billionaires and host high-paying shows. Despite the teasing, I continued to confess and affirm my vision. I went ahead to change all my handles to Brown Billionaire, regardless of my financial status. I understood that by identifying as something, one could manifest it. Gradually, people began to resonate with my affirmations. I ventured into creating audio podcasts, and this shift influenced not only how I spoke but also how I perceived life. This transformation became my reality.

NANCY: What do we expect from your brand in the next two year?

KENNETH: I already have plans to expand my brand to other African countries. I have already started the process. I am certain I would take over the African space. In life, we are given the same opportunities but not the same privilege, and I would make the most out of the opportunities I have. Of course, I would incorporate Vault Win into Cramn Group of Companies. I am sure that Vault Win would be a name that resonates in Africa. I have a goal of working with different politicians and individuals of high caliber. Also, in the next two years, I believe I would have 1 billion naira in my account.

NANCY: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?

KENNETH: There are a lot of challenges they would face. I won’t just focus on addressing those in Nigeria but Africa at large. In a place where you can’t determine the market value and people are trying to make ends meet, it’s indeed a stiff-necked market. Many entrepreneurs didn’t study business. Even those who did are working for people who didn’t but who own businesses. We have a resilient spirit, and this makes us push through walls and mountains. But as an entrepreneur, it is important to educate yourself first. You mustn’t always push through walls; if there is a door or a window, you can use either. People believe in you as you start making progress and money, and this validation keeps us moving. Getting into the right circle matters. Time in relationships and business scope don’t matter. Why do you think Jesus Christ left Judas Iscariot among his disciples even though he knew he would be betrayed by him? You have to be wise, prudent, and sometimes even a bit foolish; it is cool. Be smart and protect what's yours always. Try to define things from the start.

Kenneth Ugbo

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