Hello everyone, it's Friday! That's the day we bring you our #Fearless Personality, and for this first one, it's none other than the amazing Mogolodi Nagafela, a top-notch Branding and Graphic Design Consultant based in Botswana. In this exclusive, he talks about his values, his business and aspirations. And boy, this young man has got some dreams! Guess what he's called on Instagram? @TheGreatestPresident...we like! Go on, read through and get inspired.
TGB: Please introduce yourself:
MN: My name is Mogolodi Nagafela from Botswana, based in the capital city of Gaborone and I'm a Brand Architect (Some call me a graphic designer). I'm the CEO and Co-founder of Brainwurxx PTY Ltd, as well as the Creative Director of SIX AM APPAREL.
TGB: What ignited the spark in you to become an entrepreneur?
MN: I have always been that person who doesn't fit in, I have always defied the status quo, especially from a young age and I knew that I was never going to work as an employee because I grew up under the tutelage of my father who was an entrepreneur. So my whole life I have always know to build empires.
TGB: What would you say are the top three qualities needed to be an entrepreneur?
MN: They would have to be a) Vision b) Focus c) Passion.
TGB: What are some of the setbacks you've experienced and what have you learnt from them?
MN: Wow! I have had my fair share of those, from late deliveries to clients because of so many constraints to never getting payments, losing clients, getting more jobs than I could handle and never knowing how to say "no". All these things shaped me for the better, they made me plan, they made me see what I had missed and pruned me to be a better business man.
TGB: What motivates you?
MN: I'm motivated by God, That's all, hahaha. Well, He uses many mediums to motivate me, from great business men who succeeded to those who failed. Music inspires me, so do movies, documentaries, blogs and books (very important), I read a lot and that's my advantage.
TGB: What inspires your designs?
MN: I'm inspired by everything. I draw inspiration from designs, buildings, people, sounds, smells, life. I draw inspiration from literally everything...
TGB: What's your greatest fear and how do you manage fear?
MN: People are scared of a lot of things, I think for me it's like I'm not doing enough, I honestly don't want to get to heaven and still have some talents or creativity left, I want to have emptied myself but I feel like time is so limited and I'm not doing enough...I manage it by not letting it get to me, God knows I'm doing everything in my power to change the world.
TGB: How did you build a successful customer base?
MN: I made sure I delivered creativity and quality at the highest level. I'm exclusive, thus more people want me, I only serve big clients and corporations.
TGB: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
MN: My inspiration is Apple and Google, I want to beat those two and as I do I want people to know that it was by God's power. I like that, thats what I live for, to take God's name to the highest point where it can't be ignored.
TGB: What are your most satisfying moments in business?
MN: Those moments when I'm seeing someone smile, happy, emotional, over the moon...just making a difference in people's lives, I love that, it's like I'm some everyday superhero.
TGB: Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?
MN: In 5 years I would have retired, I would be the youngest millionaire in our country. But it's actually not about money, it's about impact, I want to have made the best impact ever, I will be one of the people who make decisions that affect the whole country.
TGB: What will you regard as the high point of your business?
MN: The highest point was when I designed a mini pictorial biography of the first President and the President's son (who is now our current president), his brother and major players in the industry took the copies and my name was there for everyone to see...oh yeah and when I got to win Best Logo Design in Southern Africa and Pastor Ose Oyakhillome gave me an award...ooh lastly when Shell Petroleum Company became part of my portfolio.
TGB: Whose advice and guidance has been instrumental to your career?
MN: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Steve Jobs, my father and many other people in my life.
TGB: What is the greatest price you have paid for pursuing your dreams?
MN: Losing people (sigh) when you pursue your dream people start to drift away from you.
TGB: What new project are you working on?
MN: My company (Brainwurxx) gave birth to a business called SIX AM APPAREL which is a faith-based clothing line that brought you the GOD RUNS AFRICA tshirts, we are now expanding. We are also working on a project we are calling #TheFreeSchool where we are teaching unemployed young people and those who don't school and others who school and work Photography, Graphic Design and Entrepreneurship for free, helping them start their own businesses and getting income. We are also working on 2 radio station projects, one being an internet based radio station and the other an educational terrestrial radio station. After all these projects we are jumping in the community development project where we will be donating solar lights to households in the village that don't have electricity especially those with kids who school and need to study.
TGB: What piece of advice would you give to our young readers who want to become entrepreneurs?
MN: Just Do it! Make as many mistakes as possible, learn, grow and move on. but most importantly listen to God's guidance.
TGB: A final word to our readers:
MN: We each have a role to playing this world, make sure you play your part, be patriotic about your country and region, I'm telling you if you do God will flood your mind with ideas that will change the landscape of your locality. Play your part, don't be a copy cat, do your part, stay in your lane, be the best and be very great at whatever it is you have to do.
Find and follow Mogolodi Nagafela on Social Media
Facebook Page: Mogolodi Nagafela & SIX AM APPAREL
Instagram: @TheGreatestPresident
