An Exclusive Interview With Business Owner Ike Nwosu - Frontier Express Mail & Office Supplies
Question: Please share with our audience your upbringing, family history, educational background and family values.
Answer: “I was born in Nigeria and was educated at the State University of New York (SUNY), Brockport, where I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a minor in Political Science. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997, and currently serve in the reserve component at the Joint Reserve Base/Naval Air Station in Fort Worth. My wife (Ngozi) and I are blessed with three wonderful children; two are in high school and the baby is attending elementary school. We strive to teach them the strong family values our parents taught us. My wife and I also mentor our “little brother” from the Big Brother Big Sister Program. We stress to all of them to always work hard and do the right thing. We cautioned them that in the short run, there may be little or no success; however, becoming a winner is in the long run.”
Question: Please share your passions and dreams with our audience.
Answer: “My passion still remains financial literacy; counseling customers on how to make wise financial decisions and to avoid risky behaviors.”
Question: How did you derive at the type of business that you founded? Also, please share the name of your business and the services your company provides. Also, please provide your contact information for those individuals needing your services.
Answer: “From attending college to the Navy and in between, I have had a series of jobs working for different levels of government agencies and in the corporate world. Somehow, there was always a little voice “egging” me on to start and run my own business. In 2013, I formed BV Financial Services, which I operated from my home. This was a personal finance company that counseled clients on personal finance issues, such as mortgage programs, battling with debt collectors, saving for retirement and college, and also qualifying for government programs. In 2015, BV Financial was absorbed by a new company I formed. This new company is Frontier Express Mail and Office Supplies. It is located at 1670 North Hampton Road, Suite 106, DeSoto, Texas 75115. My mom, before she died at the young age of 37, had a successful business and was a great entrepreneur. She was able to succeed, despite all the gender and sexist constraints she faced in Nigeria. The question I always ask myself is why can’t I duplicate her successes here with the education and opportunities this country has given me?”
Question: What do you love the most about what you do?
Answer: “A success is recorded when a customer leaves our business center feeling satisfied that whatever needs brought them to our location was met or satisfactorily addressed. It may be making sure that their package gets to the intended destination, or we were able to help them address a pressing financial issue. Their success is always my success and their joy is my joy.”
Question: Do you have a role model and who is responsible for helping you to become the business man that you are today?
Answer: “My parents are my role model. My father taught me the importance of discipline and to always avoid risky and reckless behavior.”
Question: What is your “Formula for Success?”
Answer: “For my successes in life, I credit my wife, my children, my parents and many mentors (too many names to mention), which I have been privileged to work with, both in the military and also in my civilian life. I do not have a specific “formula for success,” because I see things as always evolving. I have noticed for me, each scenario often requires a different solution.”
Question: How do you handle adversity and last minute stressful situations?
Answer: “My mom’s business acumen inspired me. When I am confronted with a unique business dilemma, I always ask myself, how would my mom handle such a situation? Along the way, I have had bruises and adversities, but always try to remain calm and do my best to handle the situation; remembering that the sun will rise and set again.”
Question: What is your message to young Entrepreneurs and potential business owners?
Answer: “For budding entrepreneurs and potential business owners, there are no substitutes for hard work. Do your homework and utilize resources, such as the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center and SCORE (a non-profit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorships). Above all, take care of your credit and be wary of individuals that promise pies in the sky. There are no pies in the sky and your case will not be an exception.”
Office Hours & Contact Information:
Frontier Express Mail and Office Supplies (FEMOS) is located at 1670 North Hampton Road, Ste 106, DeSoto, Texas 75115. We are open for business Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our website is www.femos1.com, Office # 972-224-0866 and Fax # 972-224-0876. We are primarily a pack and ship store. We are an authorized UPS and Post Office authorized shipper. We also provide services consisting of: copying, scanning and faxing for our customers. We rent private mail boxes, sell art work, notary service, computer rental and income tax returns. We also sell office supplies online. Come to FEMOS for your shipping, mailing and copying needs. Our private mail boxes are available with a street address and it is ideal for the home-based businesses, political campaigns and Registered Agents for LLC purposes. Our PMB also comes with notification.
