Meet The Boss: Rowland Chukwuka, CEO Kleentech Concepts and Company
Mary Odunuga
Rowland Chukwuka, the CEO of Kleentech Concepts and Company spoke to Connect Nigeria on how he started his company and why he would consider what he is presently doing the best career decision he has ever made.
CN: Tell us a bit about your professional background.RC: I am an elite and multi-talented person. I hold a diploma in science and technology from the State Polytechnic of Osun. I was an Operations Coordinator and Immigration Expert at Arcadia Access Services Limited after which I went on to become a Business Development Operation Officer and Center Coordinator for Premium Education International and this is to list few of the places I have worked over the years. I am currently a principal partner and founder DIYA9JA CONCEPTS. I started Kleentech part time in 2006 while studying but the company became fully operational in 2010.
CN: What is the story behind Kleentech Concepts?RC: Erm… The story… I had a pre-school job some years ago with a cleaning outfit and at this time, I enjoyed doing it although I have never thought that I would end up as a cleaner. So I went on with it while pursuing my career as a medical practitioner and funny enough, after leaving the job, I was able to develop my own idea around it. The name Kleentech came as an inspiration behind the experience, creativity and the technicality I got from my work over the years.
CN: How did you raise capital to start up your business?RC: At first, I had no capital to start with for my company, but I raised capital with a little stipend that I gathered. My savings helped a lot in starting out.
CN: What exactly are the services your business offer?RC: Kleentech offer a wide range of cleaning services. We carry out and provide the best services in general cleaning, pre- and post-construction cleaning, floor maintenance (tiles, vinyl, marble, terrazzo etc) cleaning, janitorial management, fumigation and pest control, event cleaning, consultancy… Think of anything cleaning and you can call on Kleentech (laughs)
CN: What role does the internet play in the running of your business?RC: The internet has made reaching out so easy and convenient for people that need our services. The difference is clear if we are to consider the difficulty of our customers reaching out to us at the time that easy access to the internet was not available to us. So for me, the internet has worked.
CN: What technology owned and deployed by the bank is useful for your business? How?RC: None at all. To me, the banks are stingy.
CN: What would you consider to be the best career decision you have ever made?RC: Being a cleaner and a consultant on immigration matters (laughs)
CN: Who is your business target at?RC: Our business is targeted at every one who needs the services we offer, but our vision is to be a global cleaning company where presidents and highly networked individuals can give value because they know what cleaning is about.
CN: What challenges did you face starting out?RC: We had a lot of challenges starting out but no business can stand without having and overcoming them, can they?
CN: How would you rate your customers’ satisfaction level?RC: Our customers are very satisfied with the services we give. We are very much above average on the scale.
CN: What is your unique selling point and why should Nigerians choose Kleentech Concepts over competitors?RC: We have the experience. We have the techniques too to deliver and we guarantee that our customers will be satisfied when our work is done.
CN: Who are your role models/mentors?RC: My role model in this industry is OLA’KLEEN and the owner, Mr. Tokunbo Ogundeyin is my mentor.
CN: What is your long term vision for Kleentech Concepts?RC: Our vision is to take over the cleaning industry globally and be the first option when professional cleaning is required.
CN: What advice do you have for those who desire to start their own business?RC: My advice to them is to keep on doing the best they can because there is light at the end of every tunnel.
To contact Kleentech Concepts and Company; Telephone:+234 1 804 9075(0) 803 653 9698Address: 52, Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria