Ever wonder how an international student became an aviation gas industry leader? Our latest newsletter explores Farouq Olubando’s key to success: just starting.
Hey SimplVest Gang,
As March rolls in with its spring energy, we’re shining a light on a uniquely talented individual— Farouq Omotayo Olubando. Not even 33, and he has aced it as a musician, tiktoker, chef, teacher, and a market leader within a niche in Turkey’s $15 billion aviation gas industry!
But what’s his trick? It’s not about superhero powers, but a simple approach: ‘Just Start.’ Seems straightforward, yet there’s a twist.
We persuaded Farouq to reveal his unique approach, and trust us, it’s as electrifying as his music mixes!
Today’s must-read features:
– Farouq Uncovered: 6 essential lessons behind his diverse achievements.
– Aviation Gas Ace: Learn how he secured a significant slice of the market!
Let’s get started 🎵✈️📈🌟
The Lesson of Seizing Every Opportunity
Farouq was born in 1992 and kickstarted his academic career at three years and nine months. No genius claims here, but he skipped a grade due to his exceptional skills– even memorizing all of the multiplication tables by the time he turned four. This early start set the stage for a remarkable academic trajectory, and by 9, he had already earned enough academic merit to get into secondary school. At 15, college was the next stop, and in no time, he was pursuing a degree in chemical engineering from Hacettepe University.
Farouq’s academic brilliance wasn’t the only highlight of his journey. Even while excelling in school, he figured out there had to be more he could get his hands into. All work and no play, they say, makes Jack a dull boy, and as a student, he realized people like him needed an avenue to socialize and relax. He identified that common need and organized parties to earn extra cash. It worked, but it also helped him realize a passion he didn’t even know he had — spinning tunes as a DJ—all by the ripe age of 18. Balancing education with his first stint at entrepreneurship, Farouq epitomized the spirit of seizing every opportunity that came his way.
The Lesson of Playing to Your Strengths & Embracing The Journey
Life is never what it promises or even looks like when it starts out. For instance, the SimplVest editor finished with a degree in Finance before realizing their strengths lay more in writing and ended up building a career there. Farouq’s story is similar because, by the time he graduated at 19, he knew he didn’t want a career in chemical engineering, even though he’d spent the last couple of years in that space, which was why he moved to Turkey in the first place.
Instead, he continued a side hustle he had been running since his undergraduate days as an English tutor. Focusing on that full-time. Farouq said, “I had not graduated from uni when I knew I wouldn’t use my degree in chemical engineering. As an English-speaking foreigner in a non-English-speaking country, there were a lot of opportunities for me to teach the language. At the same time I made a good living out of it”. He decided to play to his strengths and match a widespread need again.
It was a decision well-made. As a tutor at the time, Farouq earned 2x more than he would have if he pursued a career in chemical engineering— taking home $1,500 every month. He would do this for three years, excelling as the best English Instructor, before deciding to go out independently and co-found First Class Language Solutions.
The Lesson of Passions & Starting Small to End Big
Old habits, they say, die hard. Farouq’s past as a DJ and an employee in the nightlife industry would come into play again with a venture into music. His first experience with music-making came during high school.
“During our long vacations then, I’d spend time with my cousin who had a piano. He would write lyrics, and I wanted to be like him; so I’d try to write some myself. I didn’t take it seriously, though, so I remember telling myself it was just a hobby; something to keep me occupied when I wasn’t working.”
Beyond Music
But music wasn’t his only passion. Farouq also loves to cook, and after moving to Turkey at such a young age, he has developed a very keen liking for local cuisine. He started a YouTube vlog covering various Turkish dishes, but he still needed an angle, an edge, to get subscribers.
“I kept asking myself what was unique about me that no one else could have. And it hit me because it was staring right at me all along. I was a Nigerian foreigner who had moved to Turkey and loved it there. I could speak the language; I understood the culture; that was going to be my edge.”
Growing On Social Media and Meeting Tina
In no time, Farouq’s social media channels would garner a following he calls ‘modest,’ but 30k+ followers is no walk in the park. Despite this, Farouq insists he is not a fan of social media, and after a while, he stopped making the cooking content, as it took a lot of time to make and put out. Instead, he turned his sights to music, first learning to create beats from YouTube videos, picking up rapping and then deciding to go all out as an artiste alongside a singer named Tina, whom he met through networking and would become a frequent collaborator.
All that hard work would pay off in a record deal. Farouq describes this development as “… really just trying and trying. We started small and did what we could. Many of our efforts came during the pandemic, where there was nothing to do, and music, especially rap, was becoming a huge thing in Turkey. I had my microphone, other equipment for making videos (from the cooking content), a zeal for rapping, and all the help I needed from the internet. So I just did it. I became a sort of minute celebrity, which led to me signing the deal.”
The Lesson of Platforming and Thinking of The Future
At some point, Farouq had gotten ‘bored’ of his role as a tutor. He wanted something different, something more, and even though he didn’t have the answers to what exactly, he knew he needed a platform.
“It didn’t have to be big for me to succeed. Even if it was midrange, I just needed something to launch myself. I needed a platform that I could monetize, which was one of the reasons I considered music in the first place. Of course, I didn’t expect to be as big as someone like Burna Boy; I just wanted something from which I could build other things. I even contested in a talent hunt show!”
Benefits of Platforming
The lesson of ‘platforming’ establishes that you never quite know where opportunities may lie, but you have to be ready for them, sometimes even propelling yourself to be in the right place at the right time. This concept would eventually work out for Farouq, as it was through one of such platforms, his classroom to be precise, that would set the stage for his next ventures in the 2020s.
“A dentist, one of my long-time students, had noticed the ‘entrepreneurship spirit’ in me. She introduced me to her husband because of this.” Her husband would later become Farouq’s partner, and together, they co-founded FOMOL Group, providing services in many sectors, from real estate housing and aviation to second-hand automobile buying and selling and food (supply chain logistics).
“We started meeting every weekend and I would come up with ideas on what we could venture into. For every idea, he would look into the feasibility; if it made sense, we would then shop the idea around until we’d finally get a backer. One of the principles for our model has been to use the lean methodology; which just means optimizing our system in whichever quickest way delivers value to our customers sustainably.”
The Lesson of Overcoming Stereotypes
A Nigerian breaking into a foreign business community is no small feat, no matter how much Farouq tries to downplay it. He credits his association with his partner for playing a huge part in opening opportunities and talks about dealing with some of the issues Nigerians face in international environments, no thanks to the infamous ‘419’ perception.
“It is kind of stigmatizing, you know because unfortunately we are associated with the 419 thing (fraud), when in reality that’s only like 3-5% of the population. Like there are 95 or 90% of the population breaking their backs to do the right thing; try to make ends meet legally. Part of what I do in Turkey is trying to change that image of what being Nigerian means. I mean, I think that’s the part I can play and if not for the world in general, then at least for the culture. If we can accomplish a lot; changing the world view of 80 million Turkish people about Nigerians right now, and the generation that comes after does the same, we can do a lot of good for our image.”
Improving The Nigerian Image
Some of that work involves showing how resourceful and innovative Nigerians can be in solving problems, primarily through the FOMOL Group. For instance, one of their services has been importing refined petroleum products into Turkey. Farouq’s partner helped shape his understanding of the industry’s nuances. The groundwork was patiently laid through a year and a half of laborious effort, delving into market assessments, logistical intricacies of importing to Turkey, and navigating customs requirements.
“This involved reaching out to potential suppliers – a daunting task considering our lack of experience and the stature of our targets: major oil refineries. Despite the odds, I persevered, sending emails to over a hundred companies. The persistence paid off. After countless emails, one company finally responded. We weren’t ready to buy, but I had crafted a compelling email, requesting a price quote, that piqued their interest. This initial contact allowed us to compare prices from four different companies, including a middleman and a producer.”
“As the project gained momentum, a third partner emerged, joining forces with myself and the dentist’s husband. With the addition of a flight school owner, we formed a diverse team; each member contributing unique perspectives and expertise.”
The Lesson of Expanding & Choosing The Road Less Travelled
Some people taste success and rest on their laurels. Not Farouq. He has also ventured into the aviation sector, first with aviation gasoline and then with strategic plans to extend operations into supplying essential oils and lubricants vital for aircraft maintenance. This foray wasn’t impulsive but a deliberate stride towards growth.
Opting for a path that demanded less upfront investment but thrived on commitment, Farouq embraced a venture requiring more dedication than dollars—water distribution. The notion of “value addition” became his guiding principle, infusing technology and top-notch service into his new business endeavour.
“Initially, I envisioned the water distribution business as a team effort. However, through trial and error, I learned the importance of firsthand experience by working alongside employees to understand their roles effectively. This valuable lesson, unfortunately, led to downsizing the team due to initial inexperience and inefficiencies.”
“Despite the setback, I used this experience to learn the ropes through direct customer interaction and securing key partnerships. I also focused on adding value by implementing technology and exceptional customer service, aiming for higher customer retention through faster delivery.”
“Now, after three successful months as a solo operation, I’m ready to rehire with a vision for a one-and-a-half-man operation. While currently requiring intensive manual labor, I see a future filled with optimism and scalability.”
What’s Next?
With a candid demeanor, Farouq reveals a strategic shift towards the aviation sector for the upcoming year. Proudly noting his company’s standing as Turkey’s second-largest entity post a patrol office, he emphasizes the unique market dynamics and the potential for future growth.
Embracing his innate problem-solving superpower, Farouq meticulously orchestrates operational intricacies. From sourcing products to ensuring seamless transportation and navigating customs regulations in Turkey, he meticulously oversees each step. Once the items reach Ankara, his focus transitions, leaving sales to a dedicated team attuned to the local market nuances. Farouq’s love for operational challenges is evident, showcasing resilience and the thrill of overcoming obstacles.
As for content creation, Farouq says he still plans to dive back in someday, pivoting towards providing meaningful content to the digital community. Drawing inspiration from YouTube stalwarts like Leila Hormozi and business-focused voices like Cody Sanchez, his content aspirations align with impactful storytelling and value-driven narratives. Stepping away from mere entertainment, Farouq aims to carve his niche while influencing and inspiring through genuine experiences shared.
Final Thoughts
Farouq’s story is one of never-ending determination and a love for problem-solving, from conquering stereotypes to tackling operational challenges in the aviation sector. He doesn’t shy away from sharing his setbacks, proving that even stumbles can be stepping stones. So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by a dream, remember Farouq’s motto: “Just start.”
It is the push you need to reach extraordinary possibilities.
