Today we’d like to introduce you to Wesley Okeke.
Wesley had the spark of creativity and a love of science bred in him from the start. Born and raised in West Africa to a lively family of six children, he learned much about the world from his parents, a civil engineer and a dietician. As a child, he aspired to be a mad scientist, often taking things apart and building electronic gadgets from random parts – with the occasional electrical fire here and there. Each year, he looked forward to his annual trips to the U.S., where he would buy new tools and gadgets at Radio Shack to feed his passion for electronics and creative problem-solving.
At the age of 14, Wesley moved to the U.S. to attend Indiana’s prestigious Culver Military Academy. The Academy instilled in him an additional level of discipline, maturity, responsibility and independence. One summer at the age of 16, Wesley returned home to Nigeria to manage a 15-person team at his parents’ exclusive Inn, giving him his first taste of managing a team, organizing and building a business. After graduation, Wesley continued his academic pursuits at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in computer science. A self-taught computer programmer at the age of 21, he began to build computers and write his own computer programs, which led to his creation of a real estate program that he utilized as a real estate agent, broker and property manager.
Wesley steadily continued his career growth in both technology and business. He eventually took a position that required him to be in charge of Business Development Marketing and Sales. This company was located in Silicon Valley. Wesley covered all of North and South America as well as provided support to the company’s divisions in Japan and Europe where yearly trips were made to address marketing and product development efforts.
He traveled back to his home village in West Africa after 25 years, it was here he saw the growth of technology in a very rural area, which he welcomed with great excitement. He eventually realized that though technology had made its impact, much more important things had been left behind such as education, electricity, medical resources, clean water and many other areas of purpose growth. This is where the idea fruition was first conceived. Three years later as he saw the struggle that many entrepreneurs journeyed to launch a company and the unfortunate number of majority that often failed, he decided to become that resource that provides direct leadership, a clear and simple process, a team and the great deal of diverse advice and a place to work and create synergy. Fruition was officially launched with a location in November of 2014. Currently, they have launched 4 companies and have a total of 14 startups in their incubator with their team and working relationships such as SCORE, UofH, Station Houston and many others Fruition continues to strive to build purpose driven companies in Houston.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fruition like any new company, has hit many roadblocks some being growing pains, others were clearly leadership error (mine) and several have been the startup environment which we live in. Some of the key struggles are typical with every new business. 1) Developing the right team that will engage, pull their weight and execute. 2) A business model that works, what truly our value proposition, what is the true pain that our potential clients are feeling and what are people willing to pay to address that pain. 3) What is our product. 4) More accessible funding options in Houston for startups is still developing. This is significant challenge that has caused us to seek support outside of Houston.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fruition Tech Labs – what should we know?
Fruition focuses on 3 key areas that we believe is essential for every company, whether it is based in technology or not. 1) Intimate leadership, it takes a great deal of effort to show entrepreneurs what to do instead of telling them what needs to change. We believe in walking our entrepreneurs through their journey by hand holding them through our 5 Step Process. 2) Process, a process is very essential for any business – what to do, when to do it and how to do, it helps prevent much error and can create better planning. We have provided a clear, simple and well-defined process so that every client receives the same quality of mentorship and direction. 3) Every company needs a great team and great leadership. We pride ourselves on investing our efforts in people from the entrepreneur that will launch and lead their company to the team that will support, engage and execute. Fruition defines goals to see that this happen.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Social Sustainability: The introduction of new technology and new solutions often comes at the price of forgetting the people whom the product is designed to serve. Here at Fruition we focus on long term, innovative infrastructure produced with community input and regular inspirational reminders for the team to ensure we are working for the people instead of getting lost in the process.
Harmonious Partnerships: Fruition knows that it is challenging to create a meaningful and impactful change by yourself. That is why Fruition seeks to partner with dedicated individuals, business organizations and nonprofits committed to the positive growth and enrichment for all involved parties.
Personal Development: (that sustains change) Fruition cares not only about the development of new technologies, we place equal importance on the personal development of men and women entrepreneurs who will be the leaders, supporters and innovators of the new business ventures that need to sustain themselves and their future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fruitiontechlabs.com
- Phone: 832-786-4900
- Email: weso@fruitiontechlabs.com
- Instagram: fruitiontechlabs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FruitionTechnologyLabs
- Twitter: @fruitiontechlab
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