Tell us about yourself?
I am the Founder and CEO of Anglodomain Ltd, a premium domain and website acquisition company based in Lagos, Nigeria. I have been in the business of buying and selling domains for six years.
What do you think is the single biggest misconception people have when it comes to startups?
A lot of people erroneously believe starting a start-up will turn them into millionaires overnight, and that everything connected to start-up is fun and glamorous.
If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?
If I could go back in time and give myself one tip it would be: ‘Don’t quit the day job.’
What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?
I am honest, professional, empathetic, tenacious and I know my opinions. When purchasing or selling a domain name for a client, I try as much as I can to structure a deal that benefits both parties.
What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?
Some of the best working habits I’ve gained over the past couple of years are punctuality, organisation, and professionalism.
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
Hearing stories of start-up founders and companies getting gouged while trying to acquire or sell their domain names, due to their lack of knowledge of domains worth prompted the formation of Anglodomain. At Anglodomain, it’s all about transparency and fairness.
Where do you see your business in five years?
In five years, Anglodomain shall be the number one premium domain brokerage firm in the world, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, Stockholm, etc.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?
Acceptance. Some of the brands we reached out to acquire or sell domain names are hesitant in doing business with us, due to the false perception of Nigerians as fraudulent by Western media. These brands don’t even give us the chance to show them what we have to offer. They believe every negative thing they hear about Nigerians.
How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?
My business is internet-based. Customers find me via Social Media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter, where I’m most active, and by emailing or calling me directly through the email addresses and the phone number displayed on my social media handles and my business website.
Yes, I’m much of a salesperson myself. I kickstarted my sales career at Visafone Communications Limited (now owned by MTN Nigeria) as a Retail Outlet Developer.
This is why we always embark on outbound marketing when brokering our clients’ domain names. We don’t wait for buyers to come to us, we go to them to get the job done.
What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?
Pursue and complete the smaller stuff before gunning for the bigger stuff. That way you will be better prepared to take on and complete the bigger stuff.
And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?
Personally, more money and freedom. With Anglodomain, I hope the future brings more opportunities to connect more brands with their desired domain names.
