Author, consultant, entrepreneur and alumnus of Lincoln University, Richard Emezie just published his first book, UNLOCKED: Business Success Secrets Revealed. In his book, Richard imparts knowledge on successful business practices including how to identify and execute unique business ideas, success principles to mitigate business failures, relationship management in business, and other valuable entrepreneurial tips.
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Richard arrived in the United States in 2017 as an international student pursuing a master’s degree in International Business at Lincoln University. To fully utilize his time as a student, he also enrolled in an Entrepreneurship Certification program from Harvard Business School Online. Richard has always been business minded, so he tapped into the thriving business environment in the Bay Area to network and engage in entrepreneur’s forums and activities to learn more about the culture and broaden his understanding of how business is conducted here.
Since graduating, he started a business back home, founded an online business consultant platform here in the US, and wrote a book. Lincoln Chronicle was honored to sit down with Richard for an exclusive Q&A session to learn more about him and his journey to publishing his first book.
What inspired you to write a book?
The knowledge I’ve acquired so far motivated me to author the book UNLOCKED: Business Success Secrets Revealed. After studying the most successful businesses in the world, and learning that most businesses fail within 5 years, I narrowed down several reasons why some businesses fail and why some succeed. I wrote this book for myself, but after mastering all the principles and success secrets found in it, I decided to share the knowledge with the world as part of my obligation to humanity, with the hope that it helps as many people as possible in starting and executing their business to success. This book does not suggest making you a millionaire overnight, but the basic success principles found in it is guaranteed to make you achieve your greatest business desires.
What do you want your readers to take away from this book?
A few things. I would like my readers to get a basic understanding of how a business is developed from idea to product/services and the overall business process that fosters growth. I want them to know that in business, we can all be successful if only we invest in knowledge, learning, and implementing the right success principles. Additionally, readers will learn the common day-to-day problems and challenges that most entrepreneurs face and ways to avoid them.
What is the most useful advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve received several useful pieces of advice over the years, but the one that resonates with me the most is the quote by Benjamin Franklin, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” What you learn remains with you forever.
What would you say is the number one stumbling block for aspiring writers?
The number one setback for aspiring authors is they get in their own way. They are passionate about what they want to write and have so much information, but do very little execution. My advice is, get a pen, paper, and start journaling your thoughts, TAKE ACTION. Never wait for the whole answer/content, the more you write, the clearer the direction and message becomes.
Could you briefly walk us through the process of getting a book published in the US?
Getting a book published could be done through several steps. I’ll keep it simple and hope Lincoln University organizes a little seminar so I can come in and talk to interested students. But the basic steps are as follows:
Develop the idea
Do research on the topic you want to write about
Decide if it’s fiction or nonfiction
Decide target audience
Draft content (Manuscript)
Pick a title that stands out
Proofread & edit. This must be done by someone else, preferably a professional editor or proofreader.
Design the cover page, content page and any pages that need a professional look.
Publish. This can be done by yourself or through a Technology Publishing Company.
How has writing helped you as a person?
Writing has helped me in several ways. As a student of life who loves learning, writing gives me joy knowing that a lot of people who are not fortunate to have degrees or higher education can still acquire business knowledge and can become successful implementing the knowledge acquired. Writing has proven that everything we think about can be manifested to reality. My book was once an idea, I’m glad every detail in it was exactly as I envisioned.
How has your experience at Lincoln University helped you achieve your goals?
My experience at Lincoln University helped me achieve my goals in several ways.
The diversity of students and staff made it easy to understand how different but unique we all think as humans, chasing the same results of academic excellence. The professors were knowledgeable and always ready to assist. The Library helped in providing useful information through a variety of books and online resources. Student Services keeps students abreast of the latest information and events.
How would you sum up your achievements so far?
So far, I have started my first business back home and founded an online business consultant platform here in the US that educates and promotes entrepreneurs and business owners globally. This makes me an Author, a Consultant, and an Entrepreneur respectively.
What advice do you have for students at Lincoln University who are about to graduate?
My advice to all students at Lincoln University, both freshman and those about to graduate, is: Find a lesson in everything you do, be open-minded, be curious. Be positive and overall be grateful for your position because the world awaits you.
What project are you working on now? Another book?
I’m working on building my brand, a second book, and a mobile app.
For those who want to follow you as an author, where can they interact with your content?
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