A freaky transition, though, but rooted to architecture, publisher and writer, Binyerem Ukonu talks about BuyPlan.com.ng and everything else that matters. He’s author of The Water was Hot. An architect, he is a poet and novelist. He’s published online and in print magazines, such as Pyramid Magazine and Twilight Musings of the International Library of Poetry. He is co-founder of The Literary Club, Owerri. Born in a family of six on the 11th day of July, 1982, he is the son of Sir Sydney and Lady Chinyere. He’s author of Ekwurekwu – a meal of verse. With a degree in Architecture, a diploma in Gas, a diploma in Creative Writing, he is building BuyPlan.com.ng as an empire of resources.
Let’s chat with him.
When did you start BuyPlan.com.ng?
Like every other idea that later became an established firm or business, BuyPlan.com.ng had always been in my mind even while I was in the university studying Architecture. Even then Nigeria was yet to fully embrace the internet as a virtual office or a business community. I had websites that I visited that did such things around the advent of the new millennium, which was between 2000 and 2001. However, after all the experiences I’ve had, both as an architect and young entrepreneur, I decided it should be this year. I started work on the project in November 2013, but was noticed in January 2014.
What motivates you?
I have different lives that I live, and each life is motivated by something different from the other. But I could come to conclusion that I am mostly motivated by what we cannot do, or have not tried to do, as Nigerians.
Can you tell us what kind of things you did before BuyPlan.com.ng?
Long gist…(laughs). As a student, I had a few jobs that came my way, and I can say I started quite early in life. I was twenty three years old when I was awarded a job, to design and build a local government secretariat in one of the states in the eastern part of the country. And I did just that in a record time, even though to me it was all fun. I also did a lot of other designs, mostly residential, and also supervised construction projects in Owerri, Portharcourt and Abuja. That was before I became twenty five years old. Outside Architecture, I am a co-founder of a new media firm called Yagazie Media Limited, and we designed and developed a publishing venture out of it. I serve as the Managing Editor of the publishing company, and we have edited and released books that are selling in Nigeria and many other parts of Europe. I also work with an oil and gas firm here in Nigeria as a major part of their estate department. I guess I can say that I have been a bit busy before now.
What kind of historical context of your country influenced what you are doing today? Or did you just start out of the fact that you needed to create business or didn’t want to work for anyone?
Okay, let me say this first, I still work for someone, or rather, people. Secondly, I needed to create a business. I needed to provide sustainable solutions, which could serve as my contribution to the development of my country. If we do not promote our local designs and gifted architects, who are young people, who will do that for us? No design brought from anywhere that is not Nigeria will work in Nigeria, because we have our peculiarities which are naturally conditioned by our climate and culture. Any architectural design bought outside Nigeria must be modified to satisfy the standards set for our unique environment. So BuyPlan.com.ng is a move to display and promote professionalism, and also provide sustainable solutions at affordable rates.
Who do you admire? Is there someone who influences you so much?
I admire, not just one individual but, every young person who cannot sleep, not because they suffer insomnia, but because they prefer to keep both eyes ajar while they work hard to achieve their dreams. I love young people; creative young people. And we’re beginning to have a lot of them in this country.
Did you receive some kind of economic support to start BuyPlan.com.ng?
Who is ready to spend on start-ups? Not very many individuals or firms, not the banks too. If you have a dream and so much believe in it, start it from somewhere. Start with what you have. That is what I did, and still do today.
You have had the chance to travel around many countries in the world. What kind of things have you learnt during the trips?
In terms of designs, both residential and commercial, we as Nigerians are not yet there. We need more detailed and creative submissions, amidst functionality and aesthetics. That is why Europe is better. Most times Nigerians tend to be lured by quacks who regard themselves as competent hands, because of their very much affordable charges, and it all ends up in the mess that we see and wonder how on earth they came about. I have had the opportunity to see the world for myself. And I have resolved that I will contribute to initiatives that will change our living as a people.
What lessons have you acquired to help grow your business?
I have only become stubborn. No matter how bad everything may seem, I have decided never to go below standards set for the nature of my business. I can only remain the professional that I am, and allow my clientele to dictate my pace as I grow.
What kind of support have you gotten so far from young people in Nigeria towards your business?
Our project team is made up of very young architects. You will never believe how young they are. Then all the designs we stock are created by young architects, between the ages of 25 and 35 years old. They all believe in what we are doing, and I am proud of that. You also need to meet my brand consultant, Evans Akanno, who has been involved in the branding of several successful businesses in Nigeria. He is not up to 30 years old. I also get calls from several young people, and they mostly want to know if they can play a role in the success of this project.
In your own assessment, would you say business is booming?
Considerably, yes it is. We only started BuyPlan.com.ng this January, and we launched on social media. We have a website which is www.buyplan.com.ng, but we mostly sell through our social media links on Facebook, Twitter and many others. This is because our website will officially be launched sometime in March. But we have done a few designs, more than we expected. We have received a lot of calls, provided design solutions and are now getting invitations to participate in construction projects. One other good news is that we have confirmed an office in Lagos, which we are setting up. When we finish, we would have two offices, Owerri and Lagos.
In layman’s language, what exactly does buyPlan.com.ng do?
We recommend architectural house plans that meet your brief to you, and we also guide you from start to finish of your house project. That is why we advice our clients to remain in touch with us through visits, phone calls and email messaging, even before they purchase their designs from us. All our house plans are very affordable, according to the different levels of income. BuyPlan.com.ng is a design division of Samthia’s Dreams Limited. Through BuyPlan.com.ng we have mapped out a few other projects which I guess would not be decent enough to announce now. But meanwhile we deliver our designs as PDF, Blueprints or CAD, and it takes between 10 to 15 days after payment has been made.
What are your plans in the foreseeable future?
To be in every neighbourhood in Nigeria. To play a major role in changing the landscape of Nigeria. We hope to have our offices in every region in Nigeria.
Lets talk about you as a person. What kind of a person are you?
(laughs) I am first of all a person. I am not sure I am the only one that doesn’t sleep at night, or maybe sleeps only an hour or two. Outside my hunger to succeed, I am very outgoing and prefer drinks and chats with the grassroots. Then, at night I watch my family sleep.
How do you define yourself and how do you think people consider you as an entrepreneur?
First of all, how do I consider myself as an entrepreneur? I don’t do that much. I just work hard. I believe we all have that gift in us. I have only decided to be bold.
What kind of legacy would you like to leave in Nigeria?
I would like to be part of the striving group of Nigerians that stood strong to make sure that standards and principles were kept, even in business. I would like to help every family find sustainable solutions to their home design problems.
So far, what is your biggest success or goal you have reached in your career?
My success story may be simple to anyone, but to me it is one to be cherished. And that was the big smile on the face of our last client who said someone told him that his house plan was a very good one. Those are the kind of things I call achievements or success.
