I don’t read books, I read people – Mirus Principal, Isaiah Olumati

Soje: Goodevening sir
Mr. Olumati: Goodevening

Soje: I hope you good
Mr. Olumati: yes

Soje: So sir What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business? How did the idea for your business come about?
Mr. Olumati: I just got frustrated that Gospel Music artiste kept dying broke regardless Of the talent they bear. I set out the offer that solution. That is how i got here and i am thinking a whole lot if other things now. A number Of people pushed me to having the Courage to Start. Kaycee Whyte, Bola Mogaji, Samuel Dixon, Julius Momnang, Kingsley Maharaja Dan-patrick

Soje: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Mr. Olumati: I never do random select. I Like referrals and i study people closely. I look out for passion and the willingness to learn.

Soje: How important have good employees been to your success?
Mr. Olumati: Very Important. You know you actually think you can do everything when you have it in your head or on paper. A good team and employees is a blessing. You have no idea.

Soje: What three pieces of advice would you give to college students who want to become entrepreneurs?
Mr. Olumati: 1. Be Brave with your life. 2. people, places and events define a man. 3. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

Soje:If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Mr. Olumati: Start early and be Bold

Soje:What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Mr. Olumati: 1. understand team work wins. 2. Excellence is never underated. 3. Networking is key

Soje :What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Mr. Olumati: Not being definite at bargaining my value and services in my beginning days. You you are worth a value state it and stay on it.

Soje: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Mr. Olumati: As long as i am convinced it has a future. When Ever i loose that conviction, i give up

Soje: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Between 12-18

Soje: Describe/outline your typical day?
Mr. Olumati: My days are not stereo typed. It all depends on the schedule. Some days i am at the studio working, other times in a meeting With a client or tying to pitch the company. I read a lot and i spend a lot Of time strategizing

Soje: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Mr. Olumati: My siblings call me Boss and  one of them says i am his number one mentor. Well to an extent it has kept me away from my Family because i need plenty Of alone times to think. I do Business in a very hard terrain and in an Industry With plenty Of Giants. It can be very intimidating at times.

Soje: Awwwww that's sweet.
Soje: So is there a Lady behind this inspiration or should I say Are you married?
Mr. Olumati: I am not married. My mum has been a Great support. She always says to me, if anybody can, then that person is you.

Soje: Ladies he is not married. Aha hahaha
Soje: What motivates you?

Mr.Olumati: My Future Family
Soje: What is your long term and short term goals?
Mr. Olumati: My Goal both long and short is summed up in one word. Be the best. People confuse a Goal for what they intend to do. My intention changes With time.  I understand that life throws you things. Static men die out, those who can conform Survive.

Soje: Would you write a book one Day and  what is your first book going to be about?
Mr. Olumati : Yes!  Not sure yet. Maybe Music or Maybe drawn from my Family experience.

Soje: How do you generate new ideas?
Mr. Olumati : I just look out for the problem and commit to providing the best solution.

Soje: How far are you willing to go to succeed?
Mr. Olumati: Very far With a clear hand, good name and reputation

Soje:What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Mr. Olumati: Repeating the Circle. Being like my Father or below. I fear failing

Soje:  How do you define success?
Mr. Olumati : If what you do out lives you, then you are successful. If what you do changes lives forward and out lives you, then you are successful

Soje: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Mr. Olumati :I think there is no singular best way to archive long-term success. You have to keep on learning more by finding your individuality. And when I say your Individuality I mean you have to look at yourself, you have to look at your location, you have to look at your strength and look at your weaknesses and find what works for you. A lot of people have different ideas but what works the most is   ideas and then you must be pesistat you must stay at it and believe it can work and keep learning. That's how think you can get long term sucess.

Soje: How did you decide on the location for your business?
Mr.Olumati: I did not decide on the location of my biznes. I just decided to make the business work I came into Porthacourt with my family and then I graduated from the University of Porthacourt served in Imo state. It was just very natural that I was return back to Porthacourt because I had lots of challenges during my service days. I did not have money you know, that I could use to say Okey I was starting up it was just natural to go back to pH where I know I had accommodation, shelter all of my clothes and family to hold on to so I kind of found my individuality and tried to make it work rather than choosing location for my business. But then when we look at the Market mix of cause location is always very important. Like my pastor keeps telling me "Look at the Challenge and find what works for you in the challenge." So is obvious I had no option. I had Porthacourt I'm stuck with Porthacourt. I have to find how to make it work in Porthacourt. So I didn't necessarily choose my region. Region chose me.

Soje: Very interesting. "Look at the Challenge and find what works for you in the challenge. Thanks sir and to your pastor.

Soje: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Mr. Olumati: There really is no Pattern. There are just principles and you must apply those principles in your own in your own unique stands. I know I have emphasis this over and over your individuality is key. By individuality i mean your unique challenges your unique strength your advantages.What applies to A  may not apply to B. Somebody could probably start off a business it kicks of very easily in Lagos but somewhere in Kano it will be a little difficult. Somebody will probably just do some social media PR in lagos but then maybe in Porthacourt rather than doing social media PR you have to now do physical meetings, meeting people one on one. You must find what works for you. You must find the culture of your location the culture of the place and then take advantage of it.

Soje: If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Mr. Olumati: If I will talk to one person is either Richard Branson or Donald Trump. These guys have exheld in almost every field that they laid their hands on. These are people who don't share opinions they give advices. And people ask me what's the difference between People who give advices or share opinions. People who share opinions are people who speak from an assumption point of view they have neither done it neither experienced it but yet they have an opinion they think will work. People who give advices are people who have experienced it and done it and feel you can succeed back after the fail. When they speak to you they are giving you advices. It is trusted it is tested it is reliable against people who have opinions. Honestly I would love to speak to Richard Branson and would lIve to speak to Donald Trump.

Soje: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Mr.Olumati: My biggest Inspiration so far has been Kule Sorinyan Simply because he has refused to accept impossibilities

Soje: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Mr. Olumati : Strategy -  Strategic thinking. I am not a routing person. I Like difference. Thinking differently is exciting for me. I Love to map out strategy. Strategy is you planning Peoples lives and behavioural pattern under the guise Of a product or service.

Soje:What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Mr. Olumati: Not had a satisfying moment yet. The things i have achieve, i still weight With what i can achieve. Until i surpass what i can achieve i may never say i have had that most satisfying moment. We are an emerging Brand we still have an entire nine mile and we are still at the Start track

Soje:What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Mr. Olumati : Entrepreneurs take initiatives and come up With ideas, their staff execute.

Soje:How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Mr. Olumati : Digital marketing has been phenomenal. We maximize the virtual space to the fullest.

Soje: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Mr. Olumati: One word, i am dogged

Soje: What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Mr.Olumati: The only biggest mistake i think i have made was giving in to fear and not knowing my worth early enough.

Soje: How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Mr.Olumati: I take caution and i think ahead Of time -  Proactive. It allow me set aside error time and damage Response

Soje: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Mr. Olumati: singing, public speaking, anything creative exercise

Soje: What makes you happy?
Mr. Olumati: Several things. Family, public speaking, and success

Soje: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Mr.Olumati: My biggest Inspiration so far has been Kule Sorinyan Simply because he has refused to accept impossibilities

Soje: What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)
Mr . Olumati: No book exactly. Just people.

Soje: Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Mr.Olumat: 10-20years, i find this question interesting. Usually i used to be quick to Make these postulations but i have realised that all i can control is My ability to adapt to my realities. You know by my life plan i should have bagged my MSC in Mechanical Engineering, working with Mecedees Benz or Toyota and o should have been based in Germany or Japan
But here i am, a graduate of Geology. I had almost no control of the out come
But then be rest assured that in 10-20 I Would have created multiple jobs for People, i will be the challenge for my generation and i will be famous.
Crazy but i intend to contest the next Presidential Elections in Nigeria.

Soje: Hahaha haha Goodluck with that President Olumati.

Thank you so much Sir is been an amazing 30min with you. I hope we the young entrepreneurs and yet to be Entrepreneurs have learnt a lot from this.

Once again thank you sir.