Fasasi Israel: Investing With A Social Touch

Tell us about yourself?

I’m an African entrepreneur who really loves helping other entrepreneurs like me experience the magical features of digitalizing their businesses. Literally, I offer digital services such as Web development, Mobile App/Software Development, Digital marketing, graphics design, and general branding. Because of the passion I have for tech, I created a brand in 2017 where I got other techies to help serve numerous entrepreneurs all over the globe. It’s been a really huge journey for me. Academically, I’d be a certified Marine Engineer in a couple of years. I’m getting really excited about what the future holds for me in this aspect. Digging down to my cultural background, I’m a Yoruba, a tribe in Nigeria.

What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?

Uh! People feel startups are all about the idea. To be honest, that’s far from the truth. You can have a million-dollar idea but don’t know how to execute or manage it. You’re just dreaming all day without working on the actualisation of your dream? Sorry, you’re far from being an entrepreneur.

If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?

“Hey Israel, it’s good to have investors who invest in your business but please let it be understood that everyone shares the losses and profit evenly.”

What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?

My consistency and quest to get better ahead of time.

What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?

Learning while working. It’s not a must to know everything before starting. You can start and learn how to do it all along.

Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?

Chumzapp is a partnership startup between myself and a renowned Chartered Account in Nigeria, Dr. Phillip Akiode. We created Chumzapp as a friends community network where anyone can help anyone in terms of fundraising, sending of money, and still enjoy social content easily. My own digital brand – Kartal Inc, took about 6 months to develop Chumzapp, submitted the final project to my partner and he liked it. I can say my quest to help entrepreneurs is also a major influence on Chumzapp.

Where do you see your business in five years?

I see it competing with tech giants. I know it’s not as easy as I said it but with consistency, it’d be a very good journey.

What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?

People’s approval. We all know that pleasing the general public is a bit hard but we will keep our head up and give our best. When people love your product, you don’t need to do publicity. They would do it for you free of charge.

Talk to us about your biggest success story so far?

Generally, I’d say that my biggest success story so far is the fact that my brands are already getting audiences across the globe. I’ve always dreamt about days like this and I’m happy that my dreams are already becoming a reality.

How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?

One thing I always work on is customer satisfaction. I always try my best to satisfy a client so that he/she would refer another one and honestly, this has been working for the past 4 years.

What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?

Be consistent. Take your business as your heartbeat. The moment you stop being consistent, your heartbeat stops.

And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?

I hope the future brings good fortune and relevance in society.