Meet Chukwuonu David, CEO Davis Exotic Homes

This week on Attain, we share the story of Chukwuonu David Chidozie , CEO, Davis Exotic Homes. 

Here is one story you would learn the importance of starting from where you are and then building on from there. So sit back and enjoy.

Please kindly tell us about yourself?

I am Chukwuonu David Chidozie, a native of Awgu, Enugu State from a family of 4 boys. I am the 3rd son.
I was born and brought up in Lagos Nigeria. I obtained my first degree in Architecture from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, a diploma in Environmental Design from University of Lagos and also a member of Nigeria institute of Architects (NIA) Lagos Chapter.

Tell us about your business Brand(s)?

As a building developer, we discovered that people prefer a classic, royal house that is affordable and built on their own land within a short timeline that was how Davis Exotic Homes was born. Right now, we have helped families also in diaspora build Superb, quality, and affordable homes within 6-10 weeks Nationwide.

When and what brought about your business vision?

My father was a building contractor, so while growing up I found this huge Civil engineering Books on his Bedroom Table, I will go over them, staring at the pictures of bridges and skyscrapers. I literally dreamt of wearing the white hat. **laughs**
Although I applied for civil engineering in the Prestigious Enugu State University of Science and Technology but was offered Architecture. I felt it was still in line and it’s the best decision I made.


What were the main challenges you faced early on in your business and entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome them?

Upon graduation from the university, I had made up my mind not to be an employee, so entrepreneurship was the only way out. I had a deep discussion with one of my Mentors, Mr Fred Nnadike of Finet systems communications (One of the biggest Mobile retailers in West Africa). He gave me all the needed encouragement and pushed me into the deep sea of entrepreneurship, I had only one option either swim or swim.
We started with no capital, just my complimentary card and an undying passion to see a progressive building sector in Nigeria. I started offering free jobs to prospective clients (the building industry deals with millions of naira and with a lot of dubious contractors out there. No one wants his money in the wrong hands)
So I did designs for free to prove my quality, worked in a few building sites for free.
I had once taken N500 a day to even supervise a building site in Enugu. Well in no distance time people saw what I was doing and the referrals started coming in.

What was the biggest challenge you ever faced in your entrepreneurial journey?

Getting clients who have never met you to trust you with 30-100 million Naira. It was tough but we overcame that phase.

At what point did you begin to achieve success in your entrepreneurial journey and how did it happen?

Can’t say exactly. But clients we had worked for referred us. Then on Facebook and our website, we had people who saw our work, loved it and gave us their building projects.


What would you consider your greatest achievement ever in your entrepreneurial journey?

Getting referrals from building projects committed to our company.

 If you could go back in time, what are the changes you would have made in your business/ entrepreneurial journey?

I would never have mix business with friendship. I once employed the service of my then classmate in the University to head the team in a building site and he almost turned the client against me.

 What should we see you doing in the Future?

We hope to launch our Estates in different parts of the country comprising of low, medium and high costing houses with locally sourced materials from start to finish.

 What's your advice to someone just starting out in business/entrepreneurship?

It should be more of a passion and contributing to your society than making profit, be the best at what you do, with time you would see the desired results.

 What are your other interests aside business?

Talking to people about God.

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