Key Business Tips From the Entrepreneur Coach Chike Uzoka

29 Jul Key Business Tips From the Entrepreneur Coach Chike Uzoka

Starting a business takes a lot of courage. Some people are able to jump feet first into their passion and build something bigger than themselves and some need help understanding how to navigate the complicated landscape. For those who are business wunderkinds, the “Entrepreneur Coach” Chike Uzoka has your back. From business boot-camps, to startup myth debunking, Uzoka has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs create successful businesses.

I reached out to Uzoka to get his top tips for launching a business and growing a longstanding brand. Check out the interview below:

Where are you from originally?

Nigeria, by way of Hollis, Queens. 

Where do you live now and why?

I live in Newark, NJ. I’ve loved Newark since 2001, then fell back in love with it in 2009. Plus about 75% of my business clients are in and around Newark. 

What type of people do you work with?

I work with small and large non-profits, small and medium sized corporations, public and private schools and universities, churches, and government entities. 

What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking to start their own business?

Plan your work, then work your plan. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. 

You’re known as the Entrepreneur Coach. What inspired you to start working with entrepreneurs?

I started teaching and working with entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs because I wanted to help them start smarter and stay smarter. In my first business in 2009, we spent a lot of dollars before ever making a dime so I wanted to make sure others didn’t do what we did. 

What problem are you solving and how do you communicate it?

We’re like myth-busters. We like to debunk myths around starting, growing, funding, marketing a small business. We do that through education – in the form of workshops, classes, seminars, and age-appropriate interactive games. We communicate this through our social media, through the partners we work with, and through word of mouth. 

You work with youth and adults. What are the top lessons that you teach that apply to entrepreneur of all ages?

I always do my best to make sure they (1) love whatever business they want to go into, (2) know who’s going to buy their products or services, (3) know how they’ll be making money, and (4) know how they’re going to grow. Those are very important things to understand no matter how old they are. 

What did you do before starting your company?

I spent about seven years on Wall Street with companies like Merrill Lynch, New York Life, and JP Morgan. I did everything from financial advising and estate planning to insurance and annuities and banking. I kept all the tools I learned and now use it in my businesses. 

How does that background influence what you do as a coach?

It helps the people we teach make sure they’ve got their numbers right. Things like cash flow, revenue, how much they need to manufacture their products, are very important. Having too little money for your business is worse than having no money at all. 

Speaking of money; how do you make money from your business?

I make money by teaching, coaching, speaking, consulting, and through book sales.

Are you considering expanding your business? How would you scale up or grow?

Yes. We’re partnering with new organizations this and next year to do more courses and workshops and we’ve taken on new clients in East Orange, NJ.  I’m also working on my first children’s book as well as another book.

What is one goal that all entrepreneurs should be aiming for in 2015?

They should be aiming to kill 2016 already! Plan ahead, enjoy life as well, but plan ahead! 

– à bientôt

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