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A memoir about the Co-Founder of Bluechip Technologies, Olumide Soyombo. “Vantage” investigates his journey, from Bluechip to Voltron Capital and angel investing in Piggyvest. A testament to resilience and visionary leadership. #VantageSHO #thebookishtechie #BOTM #bookreviews
I hope you get to buy the book, Vantage. The lessons in it are not for you to adopt as the author did in his life. Rather, they serve as a guide to help you navigate your own path, or if you should you ever encounter similar.
#vantagesho @OtunbaSho
As promised yesterday, I will be sharing my thoughts and gems found in Olumide Soyombo's (@OtunbaSho ) book, Vantage #vantagesho
Today we touch on Book 2.
(~~a gift is hidden somewhere in this post)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vantage (#VantageSho) by Olumide Soyombo (@OtunbaSho). I read it in two sittings. It was such a page-turner, with remarkable depth conveyed in an almost deceptively light tone.
A few of my reflections as I read the book:
1. It is best that young African entrepreneurs and business leaders document their journeys as they travel. Olumide did this brilliantly. This is a potentially higher act of service than the obligatory memoir in retirement. One's comprehensive 40-year path might be obsolete by retirement, the stories evoking more nostalgia for oneself than inspiration or direction for others. I point this friendly reminder finger to many of my friends here – and you know what they say about the other four fingers 😊. I applaud Olumide's courage to share his journey concisely and in flight.
I feel just as strongly about this for the few bright sparks we've had in Government. To the extent that "entrepreneurship" is about envisioning a highly improbable future that does not exist, and exerting your blood and sweat to build institutions that solve problems while creating a better life and shared prosperity for all involved – then good governance in Nigeria is one of the highest forms of entrepreneurship. A rarity whose "how" we must gobble when we see it. There is a deafening scarcity of such accounts that are not first about self-aggrandizement and whitewashing. We need many of them. The stakes are even higher.
2. Privilege – with a deep sense of responsibility – is an underrated societal hack. Sadly, ours is a low-trust society that first demonizes intellect, then demonizes privilege. For instance, there is a legion of otherwise helpful people cowered into silence or inaction by a mob screaming insensitivity on those two fronts. We are worse off for it. Those who have more, or know better, have no monopoly on advancing society; but they are in a prime position, especially when they understand their luck and carry a burden to earn it. A quote that conveys my sentiment on this subject is by Ben Bernanke – the former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve – in a 2013 commencement speech at Princeton: "...a meritocracy is a system in which the people who are the luckiest in their health and genetic endowment; luckiest in terms of family support, encouragement, and, probably, income; luckiest in their educational and career opportunities; and luckiest in so many other ways difficult to enumerate — these are the folks who reap the largest rewards. The only way for even a putative meritocracy to hope to pass ethical muster, to be considered fair, is if those who are the luckiest in all of those respects also have the greatest responsibility to work hard, to contribute to the betterment of the world, and to share their luck with others..." Olumide's privileged background was his springboard. His successful father's active involvement, business mentorship, and networks were unequivocal to his success. But he appears very much on a mission to earn it all.
3. Business partnership – in its purest form – is indistinguishable from romance. (Almost 😊). I am yet to see a good business partnership that did not make actual lovers jealous. I admire this when I see it. I protect it when I have it. The commitment to working in the best interest of the other, 200% of the time. The obsession with understanding each other's strengths and playing to them. The grace to cover each other's weaknesses, blind spots, and down times – and solve for them. The escalating involvement in each other's personal lives, understanding that your business partner is a whole person whose presence and effectiveness are a total of everything going on with them. The cadence of tough conversations where necessary, and how easy they get each time. Most importantly, the foundational currency of trust that then multiplies into actual wealth. Olumide's description of his partnership with Kaz was beautiful. It had me salivating, and smiling fondly as I remembered two people who have been exactly that to me.
4. It is always Day-0 in Nigeria's tech ecosystem. This takes absolutely nothing away from all that has been done by luminaries young and old. If anything, it reminds us of the infinite possibilities to build things (products first, companies next, then institutions); upskill millions of youth to solve our real problems; and lift several more out of poverty. But we must not wish away the risk of wallowing in perpetual potential, a lot like the country itself so far. An ecosystem does not build itself; people do. And when they do, they cannot out-entrepreneur their environment. It is an interesting paradox of hope and despair. For me, overwhelming hope. Nigeria is a part of a human race just a few decades behind its co-travelers (USA, India, for example). Our next realms of possibility – especially in tech – rely as much on sheer inevitability as invention. We will advance, build more unicorns, create more wealth because it is a natural trajectory and we are smart. The real question is: how fast can we go? And who is deliberate about taking away the roadblocks – almost to a point of obsession – such that we do not lose speed and adVantage?
I also commend Olumide for not speaking ill of any of his ~100 investee companies – except one, which I agree he had to call out. I say this knowing many of the companies and their founders well enough and having been part of syndicates investing in a few. This stuff is hard; many struggle, many excel. But their commitment to pounding the pavement and figuring things out is most of what is required to succeed, or to make failures okay. It's a long game, hence Day-0.
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I am a sucker for autobiographies – from Mandela to Eminem to Obasanjo. I read them voraciously. While they are deeply inspiring and illuminating, I also wished for books more actively relatable to my present. We need to hear from peers or co-travelers just one or two steps ahead; people you'd have a beer or zobo with. They also need to hear from us. The lessons are more actionable in principle and detail, the war stories relatable, the people literally accessible. Vantage (#VantageSho) is not an autobiography per se, but I applaud what it is: a no-frills account of events and perspectives that have shaped a career and a specific example. There are many more examples. If you have a book in your head, please write it. I will read 😊.
***On this note: if anyone wants a copy of Vantage, and commits to reading it cover-to-cover (it's quite simple), please DM me. Happy to purchase and get copies across to the first 20 DMs, no questions asked.
A week ago, we created magic and couldn't have asked for a better turnout. Your support was simply overwhelming and we say THANK YOU!
Let’s continue the adventure by ordering a copy of the Vantage book.
Link to order in the bio
#VantageSHO
A tapestry of goodwill wishes, illuminating fireside conversations, honest reviews and perspectives... Vantage had it all and we are glad you witnessed it.
#VantageSHO
The Men and the Middleman!
#vantageSHO
Vantage is Royalty!!!
#VantageSHO
One of the biggest moment at the launch of @VNTGBook was the @Omojuwa’s chat with @OtunbaSho’s dad.
JJ: Are we going to get a book from you in future?
Mr Kayode Soyombo: My books have been written in them.
This was so profound for me!
#VantageSHO #Parenting #ProudDad
In the company of dignitaries with unique vantage position in different walks of life.
Tag any familiar face you recognize in the comment section.
#VantageSHO
Just paid for my copy of #VantageSHO by @OtunbaSho
Glad I could put my money where my mouth is in terms of how I want my career to unfold after medical school.
I can't wait to dive into his life and pick out gems that will influence my journey going forward.
To get this you, have to read #vantageSHO This is a clear case of the apple doesn’t fall far from that tree, loll! If you know, you know!!
#vantageSHO
😂😂😂.
Please pass it on !
More jpegs from the launch of #vantagesho yesterday. As @Omojuwa said this book is a CODIFICATION OF MENTORSHIP that @OtunbaSho received from his father, other father figures and astute businessmen. There is a Ibo adage that says that where they are...
Let the reading begin!
1. Get your copy of Vantage @VNTGBook via Roving Heights https://t.co/A8MwhT4mMk…
Or @amazon via
https://t.co/B00x4fmGWC?… .
#VantageSHO
You can order for your copy of @VNTGBook via Roving Heights here https://t.co/dgZfoAqRbi and in major bookshops across the country. If you are abroad, you can get your eBook or a physical copy via Amazon -
https://t.co/UHBSOByVUr .
I am looking forward to what the book goes on to do from here. As for me, I just want to take a breather. This has been one arduous journey. Glory to God for the grace to be and to do. I feel blessed #VantageSHO
Attending industry events provides an opportunity to reconnect with those you haven’t seen in years, meet new people, as well as learn new things. My fave part of #VantageSHO was the fireside chat w @Omojuwa & @OtunbaSho’s dad. Congrats once again on the book. Excited to dig in!
Meant to be at Olumide Soyombo's book launch today but medicine doing one of its jealous moves
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