Frank Ewuzie: The Nigerian Silent Billionaire

Among the best metaphors often used for talent and accomplishment, the rising sun is the most effective. Whether it is its brightness referring to brilliance, or its sheer might referring to performance, the rising-sun attribute is not used for ordinary people. Thus, the metaphor to be used to describe Frank Ewuzie, known popularly as Don Swank, gives a peek into the doings of the Swank Integrated company.

Indeed, it looks as if the sun is shining its best rays on the Chief Mmiribute Aku 1 of Okija, a special title in Anambra State, making him look more and more different from peers and partners among Nigeria’s youngest billionaires.

The years have proven itself good for Swank Ewuzie, the Nigerian billionaire as well as the owner of Swank Integrated Concepts, a company that sells security doors and Super Market. Swank’s company is majorly patronized by footballers, politicians and influential people in Nigeria with the sole aim of securing their homes with imported doors amidst security.

The man was known only for his genius for all first-class imported doors across Nigeria. But this itself is only the tip of the iceberg for the Anambra indigene as his name continues to resound across the land for the many amazing things he is doing.

So, Don Swank’s light has once again started to flicker, getting brighter and brighter as the days flip by. Before one knows it, the light would eclipse its peers, portraying Don Swank as matchless in doings in his generation.

In running a multinational company that produces bulletproof doors. The young billionaire recalled how he became a respected and noiseless person in society.

THE JOURNEY

In 2014, I started this company, which specializes in manufacturing luxury doors and furniture to fill what I saw as a void in the door and furniture market. I am also the owner of Swank Supermarket, which quenches the need for varieties of household products. I am an accomplished Entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Swank Integrated Concept Ltd with expertise in Real Estate Management, Business Development, Manufacturing and the Hospitality Industry. By the grace of God, businesses have become households across the continent and in some parts of European countries. I was born and brought up in Nigeria, so I know what it takes to bring imported goods into the country and give every citizen the privilege to partake. The locally-made doors and the imported doors are different in so many ways. By touching doors you can feel the real quality and ruggedness, the finishing part of it is a great advantage and that’s been the edge over the years. Most locally made doors are structured with the ideas of imported doors. I have seen many instances like that but the finishing aspect of it will make the difference.

THE BULLET-PROOF DOORS

Bulletproof doors are one of the major parts of our dealings. We have celebrities, politicians, footballers, government officials as well as individuals who have patronized and seen the difference. Of course, it is quite expensive and still affordable. But we do it in such a way that everybody will be able to afford it. You and I know that insecurity is one of the most challenging problems in Nigeria and lots of people have to secure their lives in one way or the other. We are not limited to some set of people alone. We make our business much more open and affordable to everybody in the country.

Most Nigerians believe so much in security and since our government is not doing enough, people have to ensure they live safely at all costs and that’s why Swank Door is affordable. In our company, we try to unfold some secrets whereby the rich and poor will be treated equally and for now, most of these high metal doors are not done in Nigeria.

It’s from our factory in Turkey and that’s where we have been distributing it all over the world. We have lots of government agencies as our customers who have tested and trusted the production.

INSPIRATION

I grew up to hear and know much about Bill Gates as the richest but I always believe there are lots of people locally that are equally rich but don’t have that big name like Bill Gates. Going into business has always been my dream and not only to be a businessman but to be a successful businessman like various top business moguls in Nigeria and the world as a whole.

I derived door business from my father’s house during my secondary school days. It was an initiative that I kept to myself and yielding much for me now. And having traveled to some countries to do some research on how I can hit a breakthrough in the Nigerian market, I went to Turkey to study and monitor lots of things and discovered it was a moment for me to start the process of becoming the boss of myself. And also businessmen like CEO Dozzy Oil and Gas, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie really inspired me locally.

EMMANUEL EMENIKE

Without mincing words, Emmanuel Emenike, the 2013 AFCON top scorer gave me the limelight to pursue my dream in life. God used him to allow me to hit the breakthrough in my life. He’s a generous man that has contributed to many lives. There’s no way I will talk about the Swank Integrated Concept without mentioning Emenike. I told him about my proposal. He believed in and encouraged me in so many ways. I met Emenike when lots of people were discouraging me and he was bold enough to give me the necessary support and let me be fair to you that Emenike’s support still sustains me till this moment in terms of recognition and recommendation.

We have done business with his estate agency (Emmanuel Emenike Real Estate). We delivered some bulletproof doors to some of his buildings in Owerri, Lagos and Abuja and lots of celebrities have patronized us through him. It was a tough journey for me and I will like to advise the younger ones who have the aspiration like me to keep pushing and never be discouraged.

RISKS OF BUSINESS ATTRACTION IN NIGERIA

Any government that doesn’t care about security or whose insecurity is its major challenge will not attract business internationally. We produce in Turkey and bring it to Nigeria and to other African countries and that’s why people take us seriously. I think the government should be proactive enough about our security issues. There are lots of younger Nigerians with great ideas that will benefit the country but they are looking for an opportunity to sell the idea outside Nigeria and bring it into the country. Most Nigerian billionaires get discouraged by Nigeria security issues and that’s why they prefer going to Dubai to do business.