DPKAY Homes & Property Boss, PRINCE DELE AKINOLA, talks business, background and bares all in this interview.
By Ayo Onikoyi
Educational Background?
I had my primary education at AUD Primary School, Isokan local government, Osun State, while my secondary school was at St. Anthony’s College in the same area; Ikoyi-Isokan L.G.A. I finished my H.sc (A Level) at Oyo State School of Arts & Science, Ile-Ife before I proceeded to Lagos where I attended International School of Aviation. Afterwards, I left the country for the United State where I attended Devry University of Technology in Chicago.
Before the establishment of DPKAY Homes, what were you into?
I’ve done a couple of businesses. First, when I came from overseas I set up an office in Abuja trying to look for contracts from the Federal Government which didn’t quite work out, then I went back again to Toronto and started dealing in vehicle business. I was actually one of the importers bringing cars from overseas. Together with a friend, I opened a car lot at Surulere area of Lagos, where we were selling cars.
Then, I had a colleague that was into real estate, who told me to join him in doing the real estate business instead of buying cars, and waiting for 2 to 5 months before the arrival of the vehicles. I started with buying one or two plots of land at Magodo, but I had problems with the state government. Afterwards, I put a little money together and started investing in real estate, buying and selling of lands in Ibeju area of Lagos where we could get the lands cheaper. And from that point this is where we are today.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in life and how did you take them on?
Challenges in life are numerous and uncountable. We’ve gone through a lot, especially when you come from overseas. We’ve gone through a lot of turbulence; you know transition is always difficult, we knew this before we moved in.
There are numerous challenges, from spiritual attacks to financial aspects, but today we give glory to God. In this business you must run at a loss before you begin to make profits and we’ve experienced it. There was a time we sold my house in order to meet with the demands of the business. I used to have a beautiful house at Medina Estate which I sold and put the money together to start doing this business.
How old is DPKAY homes now?
DPKAY was incorporated in 2006 in Abuja while I was doing contracts and importation of vehicles and other businesses. That was DPKAY International Limited which has been running up until a few months ago when we got solidly involved in the property business then we registered DPKAY Homes and Property Limited which is fully dedicated to this property business alone.
Why the name DPKAY and how did you come about the name?
Well I used to run a business which I formed with the name of my kids so when I was starting this business I just simply did the same with the first letters of their names.
In five years time where do you see yourself, DPKAY and your other businesses?
In the next five years, to be honest with you, by the grace of God and the rate at which we’re going, I expect us to have multiplied much more than the level we are at the moment.
Which other CEOs do you reckon with based on what you’ve seen them do?
Most especially along the business we’re doing right now, there are people I’ve heard and know of; Property Mart, Adron, P1 Homes & Co, I really appreciate and thank God for them and I know that by God’s Grace DPKAY Homes will also go higher.
What are the properties you have on sale at the moment at DPKAY Homes?
Presently we’re blessed with a lot of estates but let me mention just a few. Basically all the lands we have in the market we make sure they are excised properties by the state government from the ministry of lands. So we’re dealing with lands for which we have the papers from both the government and the villagers.
However, presently, we have an estate called Bamoral at Eleran-Igbe and another one at Orimedu, called the Seaview Estate because it’s right opposite the sea. Then we do have one we call Seaview-2 that’s at Dewejo then another one called Lakeshore, that’s not too far from Amen Estate, as if you’re going to Ibeju, Eleko beach.
Then moving from there we were recently blessed with an estate behind the monastery, Sangotedo at the back of Shoprite then another one at Ogobo. We’re building now behind the Mega Chicken which we call Bellavista Gardens. That’s where we are right now with some other ones that are under progress.
How many hours do you work per day and how do you relax?
Honestly speaking I can say I work 24 hours but I work a lot, even at nights. I don’t really have a time I rest except I go to bed. Every day I put on my clothes and go to the office, from the office I go to sites and I go to see some people we need to do some business with.
Do you have the intention of going into some other businesses in the future apart from the property business?
We are focusing on the property business now so that’s what we’re doing now. Another thing I think we can do as time goes on is financing so that we can have opportunities for the people that cannot pay outright for the lands. So, if we have a finance company, we can direct most of the clients there to get the facility to buy the land in other to prepare their future.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy first is my family, followed by my business and church, other than that, I don’t think there’s any.
What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs starting out in business?
My advice to people coming behind in any business is to be focused, hardworking and take God as number one priority. There’s nothing anyone can do without the grace of God. Be prayerful, focus on your business and avoid distractions.
Any last words?
Personally I thank God for where the story began, where we started from, where we are at the moment and where God is taking us to. I want to advice every one that in whatsoever thing you’re doing, make sure God is the priority. He’s the only one who can elevate you and help you through any kind of problem you may face or be facing in business. And I pray He’ll help all of us.
