At 25, I own a group of companies —Omonike Fowowe, President, EMR Group

Although her results and achievements belies her age especially in an era where young women aren’t too
clear about what they want from life, 25 years old Omonike is an entrepreneur who has built a plethora of marketing communications and humanitarian brands under her company.
Express Multi Concept Resources(EMR) Group Ltd was founded and established in 2011.Her main objective is helping organizations become more visible and accessible to their customers via using the internet and several other veritable channels. The beautiful entrepreneur who is a graduate of Redeemers University,opens up on how she has been able to build EMR Group into a formidable brand
What prompted you to go into business?
My mum’s influence was what prompted me into business.When she was the Zonal Director, FRCN, Enugu, she gave me small jobs to do for her which I completed successfully.After my service year in 2011,there wasn’t any attractive job to do . So I then decided to set up my own marketing company by embarking on the business registration.
What was your growing up like and how did it influence your career path?
Growing up was rough and exciting.
I went though hard times but I had the most supportive and strongest woman ever as a mother. She raised my brothers and I to be independent. She always said nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. So from a very tender age, I began to do a lot of things by myself .This has helped me in running my business.People marvel at the fact that I am just 25 and I own a group of companies.Its the grace of God that has kept me.I am privileged to be trained by a single mum who is also very successful in her own career.
What exactly do you do at EMR?
We are a general services and IntegratedMarketing Communications (IMC) company .The subsidiary under EMR Group .are masters in sales promotions,sales & distributions ,product activations,sales reps hiring & training ,online brand management,digital marketing. We also own a website platform which specializes in brand management,marketing strategy,digital media and social media management with over 10,000 unique visits daily.
What was your seed capital?
My seed capital was zero.I will say this because I didn’t have any huge funds to start with.We started by making money from the services we rendered and that’s how it has always been.EMR has grown bigger than me.We are thinking of expanding by inviting interested investors into our company. We have bigger projects that we can no longer handle by ourselves due to capital, but for now we are doing good.
What is your opinion about women venturing into business?
It’s a great idea. I don’t feel comfortable seeing a woman jobless.I have always wanted to make my own money and spend it the way I want .I don’t like begging or asking people for money .The last time I collected money from my mum was during my convocation at Redeemers University.Immediately I started my NYSC at Access Bank PLC, the money I earned was enough and I managed and I invested every little money I got into my business .Every woman needs to work, it is very important.People ask me why I am working so hard ,I tell them If I didn’t want to work and be rich, all I needed to do was to go find a rich man who will marry me and provide for my needs. I won’t hustle.Things have changed .Children’s school fees has gone higher .You cant put all the responsibilities on the man. Seeing my mum fend for us all and others has shaped my thinking of being a hardworking woman .My goal is simple, I want to work hard so my kids will enjoy more than I did. As a woman,if you can’t work for somebody else, you can start a small venture. It is not always smooth ,but as time goes on, things will become better. I am happy watching female CEOs. They inspire me to do more and I always try my possible best to assist them where I know my help is needed.
What will you regard as the highest point of your business?
The highest point of my business occurred when I walked into a place and heard people talk about my company.They didn’t know I own the company. When you get to a place and people speak of your company in a good light, it means you are doing something unique and different .We have had so many feasible high points. I am a success when my client’s brand is doing well.
What will you regard as the lowest point of your business?
The recent economy crisis hasn’t been favourable to us especially having to deal with the shift of elections and the scare that came with it .We are thankful to God that the elections happened peacefully.
What challenges are peculiar to your line of business?
Having to deal with unsuccessful campaigns has been a challenge.You brainstorm over a campaign and put in a lot of efforts and it doesn’t scale through.That is discouraging.Imagine a situation whereby efforts have gone into a campaign, clients funds have gone down too, but I always tell my team that there is always a lesson to be learnt in every challenge.Brands also find it difficult to pay huge amounts of money when it comes to employing the services of a digital media and marketing company like ours.
Whose advice has been instrumental to your career and who gave it?
I have been given lots of advices,but one person that keeps on pushing me whenever I get tired is Femi Aderigbibe,popularly known has Kwame.He has been a mentor from my University days .He supports us everytime. Kwame literally brought me out of my shell.He made me realize the importance of telling my story to inspire young women like me.
What advice would you give someone who wants to follow your footsteps?
Never stop .Don’t give up.You need to keep working and always keep your head up .It is imperative to always invest in your business. Sometimes I feel like giving up, but when I look at our achievements so far and the people who look up to me as a role model, I keep working till I get what I want. Someone somewhere is watching and appreciating what you do .You are your own star, keep shining.
source: Vanguard