To simply describe this iconoclastic personality’s journey in the world of entrepreneurship as the typical grass to grace story does little justice to the resilience, patience, determination and unshaken faith in god that the real estate mogul, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Revolutionplus Property, Dr. Bamidele Onalaja, has instilled in himself to get to the pinnacle of his career.
Having waded through the murky waters of entrepreneurship, the tycoon and philanthropist who has a 13 year stretch in telecommunications, mortgage banking and real estate sectors before establishing his now global brand has documented his inspiring voyage of about 30 years in a book, aptly titled ‘The Revolutionary Leader’, which indeed is a must-read for all would-be entrepreneurs.
Speaking in an exclusive media chat about the publication, Onalaja who is set to celebrate his 50th birthday in style in the coming days, affirmed that starting off as an employee is practically the first step in gaining experience in business management and structures as he did decades ago, with such exposure and adventure, playing a huge role in his adeptness in successfully running Revolutionplus that has dominated the real estate market in its ten years of operations.
Onalaja, who has also distinctively served until recently, as the chairman of the Real Estate Developers Association, Lagos chapter, stressed the importance of corporate social responsibility as an entrepreneur, referencing his nongovernmental organisation (NGO), the Chris Bamidele Onalaja Foundation (CBOF) as a vehicle to give back to society.
The foundation has been responsible for over 5,000 beneficiaries, which include widows, indigent children and the less privileged in the society, who have over the years have been empowered via education scholarships, healthcare, SME’s funding amongst others.
For Onalaja, education is non-negotiable as he narrated his resoluteness in acquiring the needed training that shaped his purpose driven career.
According to him, entrepreneurship has proven to be the best option as he urged future business owners to take the bull by the horn and start building their enterprise even without capital, which he did at the birth of Revolutionplus as a start up.
Onalaja proudly maintained that the uniqueness of Revolutionplus has placed it as the first real estate firm that developed a business model of engaging social media influencers and celebrities as ambassadors, to reach a younger client base, hence changing the landscape of the sector.
Onalaja who has a bias for identifying business opportunities, creating value propositions, and allowing customer validation of products, said his book will shape the minds of upcoming entrepreneurs and get them prepared for the tidal waves they will encounter along the way. He concluded by saying “I hope to inspire the next generation of business owners with my experiences because life is full of ups and downs and is not rosy” as he motivated them to always have faith in God which he asserted, has been impactful in his success stories.
The much anticipated publication will be officially launched on his 50th birthday on May 20 in a grand celebratory event that is set to attract prominent personalities, including captains of industries, movie and music stars, influencers and eminent politicians, amongst others.
