Beautiful Minds| Umar Oba Adelodun

What countless others dream about, my next incredible guest lives to make a reality with his fierce and unchallenged mind. It’s with great pleasure that I introduce to you the co-founder of Heart and Capital Limited; a farm management and consultancy company,  Umar Oba Adelodun.

Oba is someone I like to call the fine product of a man who has heavily trained his mind and body to function at its prime and above its own limits. He thrives in conditions that most others struggle in, and his intellect and distinctness is something much revered by his peers.

After taking advantage of the many hiccups and obstacles in life, which has helped propel him to a great position, today Umar’s hard work and positive impact in the agricultural industry has stirred up the press and gained the attention of other powerful institutions and notable men in the country, who now request his top- quality services. I hope you guys enjoy meeting this great mind and get to learn a few things from him as I did.

I advice you grab a cup of coffee or a snack and enjoy the read below 🙂

What is a typical day like in Umar’s life?

I am an early riser so I usually wake up around 5am. I say my prayers, go for a run, exercise, have breakfast, get ready and leave for either the office or the farms. On some days, I’m on different farms till much later in the day, then I come back to attend to things that need my attention at the office and attend meetings. I return home at night, eat, read, spend time with family and call it a day.

What are three things you can’t live without?

My phone, my friends and family & food.

What would you say is the most important thing your mother or father has taught you, that has helped shaped you into the fine and respectable man you are today?

Honesty. Every other thing I picked up consciously and subconsciously from them, my siblings, the people around me and even some movie characters.

You are an entrepreneur with considerable accomplishment, can you tell us a bit about your business and how did you get the idea for it?

I am the CEO and Co-founder of Heart and Capital Nigeria Ltd. Every day, one client after another, we accomplish our mission of “growing and easing the farming business” through services such as farm consultancy, professional farm management, farm business training etc. As for how we came about the idea, it didn’t all come at once, we didn’t even start as a company. It all started with trials and errors in cultivating our own farmland before getting the desired results. We then leveraged on the knowledge and experience to serve people whose farm business could be better, and that was how the consultancy and the management aspect of the business got started and thus, the other aspects of the business followed from there.

I must admit not many people dream of being a farmer, what was it about farming that appealed to you?

To be honest, at first it was just 2 young guys chasing money. But along the way, in between overcoming the trials and challenges that we encountered, we learned the passion for it. Yup! I believe passion can be learned.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face in your line of business and how did you overcome it?

The lack of an enabling environment has been the biggest challenge. However, we are gradually overcoming it by choosing to see it as a business opportunity.

It’s very difficult to build and manage a successful business. When the going gets tough and all doors of opportunities appear to be closing in on you, what is it that keeps the fuel burning inside you or otherwise prevents you from giving up on your goal?

The dream! The dream is what gets me going. The fact that we are not where we dream to be as a company yet, is enough motivation.

What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who are looking to kick-start their own business?

My advice for the young entrepreneurs looking to start a business is to keep in mind that the road to success is long and so we must remember to fuel the tank for the road. The fuel being Passion, Patience and Persistence.

As a co-founder of Heart & Capital ltd, what do you look for in a business partner? 

Someone who can bring something significant to the table at a fair price.

Did you at any point deal with contention from your family concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it?

Not really. Although my parents thought I was overworking myself at some point which is understandable because to them I’ll always be their little boy. But with my consistency, they made peace with it and they’re in full support now.

Heart and Capital Limited had an official press launch earlier this year, in which several notable guests attended (including the ex-special adviser to the Governor of Kwara State and Oba Adegboyega). Looking back and for the sake of those that were not opportune to attend, could you please share a crucial highlight or point(s) that were raised at the launch?

The excitement and appreciation of the people over the “Proxy Farming” initiative was a major highlight. Also, the vice chancellor of Kwara State University gave a keynote and asked the Co-founders to bring some of the initiatives to the school. This has materialised into a sealed partnership between H&C and KWASU to train about 4000 students on farming business. Lastly, the excitement of the youths over the opportunities that agriculture hold was also a major highlight.

You are a charismatic and engaging speaker. You’ve made an impressive number of successful pitches to investors and the boards of different companies in the past. You’ve also been interviewed live on national tv and on different radio channels. How do you cope with nerves before public speaking?

I still get nervous before every public address but I just focus on the message I’m trying to pass across, and how to pass the idea to the people effectively.

The biggest obstacle most people face when it comes to running a business is the start up capital. How did you and your partner manage to scale this obstacle?

Firstly, allow me to disagree with you by saying the biggest obstacle is not the start-up capital but to answer your question, we leveraged on the things and network of people we had around. I believe you can always start with what you have, some people just don’t know how to use what they have.

As an entrepreneur decision making is something you do everyday. Have you ever been in a situation where you were deeply conflicted as to the right business decision to make? How were you able to arrive at a point where you felt you were in a better position to make a well informed decision? 

Yes I have, on several occasions. I usually do more research, talk to my partner, my mentors and colleagues in the game. I leverage on all the information and different perspectives to make an informed decision.

What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur? 

It’s the process of coming up with solutions to the challenges that come along the way. It’s probably the most annoying part as well. I also love the process of watching life (the crops) grow and develop, it’s AMAZING.

You’re no doubt a hard working and busy man, what do you do to relax and chill?

I watch TV, swim and also chill with my friends and family.

One of the things I know about you is that you have a great fondness for cars; saloon cars, beamers and all the good stuff. Now if you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to race a track with and just chill, who would they be?

Quawiy, Dami and Dola.

What is something many people don’t know about you?

That I studied engineering and not agriculture.

Can you mention or envision yourself doing something that would amount to you stepping out of your comfort zone?

Honestly, almost all the things I’m doing are outside my comfort zone. I think I’m just kind of comfortable outside my comfort zone now.

If the whole world had your attention right now, what would you tell them?

All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells, are within you.

Lastly, do you have any good book, movie, documentary or place you’d recommend to your readers?

A book – The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

To stay updated with Umar’s work be sure to follow him on any of his social media platforms below:

Instagram: @heartandcapital_ng (business account) @Umar_pharooq (Personal Account)

Twitter: @heartandcaptng

Business Address: 

Plot 14,

Taoheed road,

New GRA, Ilorin,

Kwara State

I really appreciate you stopping by today but before you go, do show Umar some love by dropping a comment or any question you may have for him below, and be sure to watch out for my next beautiful guest!