From Vision to Venture: Afamefuna Fabian’s Entrepreneurial Journey
By Loveth Onyishi, Joy Onyishi
Building a successful business requires determination, resilience and a clear vision. Afamefuna H. Fabian has carved a path for himself, overcoming challenges and learning valuable lessons along the way. In this exclusive interview, he will share with us his success story.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: My name is Afamefuna Fabian Humphrey. I come from a family of six siblings, making us seven children in total. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fabian Eze, are from Ogurute Ulo in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA.
Q: What inspired you to start this unique business?
A: I was 12 years old when my father, Fabian, started taking me to his workplace. He said I was stubborn and didn’t want me to stay home playing with my siblings after school. He worked with all kinds of earth-moving equipment, including caterpillars. That was when I came to like the business. It was fun being there, and I liked how big they were; it draws attention when moved and, the inflow of money makes it more unique when all the equipment is working perfectly well.
Q: What types of caterpillars do you sell and rent, and what are their typical uses?
A: I deal in all kinds of caterpillar equipment, bulldozers, also called ‘the masters of the forest,’ they come in different sizes and are used for clearing earth surfaces, cutting and pushing earth. Excavators, also have different sizes, and they are mainly used for mining and loading earth materials. Wheel loaders is best used for loading earth materials into motor trucks. All the equipment are in different sizes, and they are made specifically for different work and uses.
Q: How do you ensure that your caterpillars are in good shape?
A: To be a good manager of all your equipment, you must make all your equipment operators your friends, they should alert you to fix it when they notice faults in your equipment to avoid total breakdown.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in running this business, and how have you overcome them?
A: They steal from the machines and I become frustrated. The operators can misuse the machine, most of them can be so careless, thereby spoiling your equipment and you will be left to fix the damages.
Q: How do you balance the demands of running a business with your personal life?
A: Before going into business, make sure that it is what you want and something you love doing. Then you won’t be stressedby it, because you cherish it. Love what you do and do what you love and the stress will be less.
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting a business in the heavy equipment industry?
A: It is a gradual process and you have to be financially buoyantor have an access to loan. But if you are not there yet, there is no need starting as the maintenance is so high.
