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 As a young man growing up in Nigeria, he had a dream to come to the United States to study engineering like his father and brother before him. He knew if he worked hard and paid his dues, he would do well. He would do better than well. He would give back to his adopted country and to his native village as well.
More than 26 years later, and with several years of engineering experience working for city governments under his belt, Ogbonna Abarikwu decided to give up his job and open his own business.
It was time to take aim at his dream.
But he needed some guidance along the way, so he sought out the APS Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority and Women-owned Enterprises, or AAAME. Through AAAME, APS helps small business owners learn how to thrive and grow their companies.
Launched in 1997, AAAME teaches small-business owners the skills necessary for their companies to succeed. These business skills include training in strategic planning, finance, management/operations and marketing. Students also are partnered with advisers from both the non-profit and private sectors - including APS volunteers, business consultants and retired executives - who can provide lessons learned from their own experiences in the business world.
"AAAME broadened my contacts and circle of influence," said Abarikwu, who graduated AAAME in September, 2005. "The materials that were taught and discussed during class validated my purpose for being in business, re-affirmed my approach towards day-to-day business management and confirmed my belief that owning and running a small business can be scary and rewarding at the same time."
Abarikwu's company, CK Engineering, which consults on transportation projects, is part of a fast-growing business segment in Arizona - the small, black and other minority-owned business. According to the latest census data, black-owned businesses have grown in Arizona by 77 percent between 1997 and 2002. In that same timeframe, small businesses grew by 16 percent.
Abarikwu, who started his company out of his home in 1995, now has 18 employees and projects hitting $5 million in revenues by 2008.
In 2004, Abarikwu won the Spirit of Enterprise Award, given by the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, in the emerging entrepreneur category and was a finalist for the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year in 2005.
But for Abarikwu, who routinely returns to his Nigerian village, Okwoyi, with food and clothing donations or to put on workshops to help village government officials with development and infrastructure issues, winning business awards is another way for him to give back.
"Winning business awards brings notice and recognition. But I don't need awards to make me feel good about myself. I appreciate the opportunity if it serves as a forum to encourage others," said Abarikwu. "If seeing me win pushes someone to aspire beyond his or her boundaries and limitations and reach new goals, then it would be worth the whole world for me."
AAAME Program Director Rena Huber marvels at Abarikwu's success and that of other AAAME graduates.
"When you look at how CK Engineering has grown, it's really unbelievable," said Huber. "We are proud of the caliber of companies and the success of the program. I've known Ogbonna for a few years and his success speaks to his mission to give back to his church, to his community here in Phoenix and to his community in Africa."
Huber says the mission of the AAAME is to provide a springboard for companies looking to succeed.
"Whenever we have a chance to help an individual realize their dreams, everyone benefits, she said. "AAAME is about encouraging creative thinking and nurturing that creativity with support and resources. We try to merge solid business practices with experience and solid work models that can be taken by these companies and applied to their businesses."
She points to the success seen by recent AAAME graduates as a validation of the program's mission.
"Some of our graduating companies have doubled their incomes, while others have bought their own buildings. Some are winning small business awards," she said. "We encourage the entrepreneurial spirit because when small business thrives, so does our economy and so do our communities."
Huber said many of the AAAME graduates come back to the program to serve as mentors, who want to pass on the valuable lessons they learned from AAAME.
"AAAME Alumni come back as coaches and role models for the other companies. In that sense, we are creating a culture of leaders," said Huber.
Abarikwu agrees that giving back to the community and the program is vital.
"The fact that APS does this for small business is very important, and every opportunity I get to support the program I will do so," said Abarikwu. "Fortunately I am blessed with two homes, the one here in America and the one in Africa. Both of these are equally important to me, and for me to feel completely fulfilled, I must give back to my homes. I believe also that charity begins at home. When I give to my home and community in Africa, a community with an incredible need, I hope I am giving them hope and encouragement."
Each year, AAAME accepts 12 to 14 businesses into each class and the two-year program begins with "Boot Camp," weekly group sessions that include business classes on strategic planning, finance, management, operations and marketing. Boot Camp is followed by twice a month group meetings and individualized company meetings with specially assigned advisors that help each company achieve its growth targets.
"The AAAME program allows us to help the economy remain strong and vibrant. Hopefully the businesses that go through AAAME take that success and use it to mentor other people," Huber said. "Through AAAME, we look for ways to enhance that creative and innovative spark that they need to take their business to the next level and which helps propel an economy and a community forward."
In the end, AAAME is designed to help entrepreneurs reach their potential.
"Whenever we can help an individual reach their goals everyone benefits," Huber said.
The next AAAME class begins in August and applications are accepted through, June, 30 2006. The academy is free to those accepted. To qualify for AAAME, applicants should have established business operations in the Valley for at least one year and display a potential to grow.
For businesses like CK Engineering, going through AAAME offers many benefits.
"This program is useful for owners and entrepreneurs because it encourages one to face one's fears and emboldens you to aspire beyond your comfort zone in looking at providing services and products in areas of ones interest that hold good promise for success," Abarikwu said. "It also provides a forum where one can meet and exchange ideas and information and exposes you to the need for being involved in community outreach."
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