Mark Essien:Success is achieving contentedness

                                                     

Mark Essien is a software developer, and an expert in web and mobile development. He is the founder of hotels.ng, an online travel agency specialising in hotel bookings within Nigeria. The portal allow clients to book hotel rooms online, provide comprehensive help and support to our clients and make the hotel booking process smooth and easy.

                                      

Who is Mark Essien?

I am a software developer – I have been developing software for the last 10 years. I think I’m a quite average person, but when I get involved in something, I tend to obsessively follow it to the end.

 

Tell us about Hotel.ng?

Hotels.ng is the largest hotel booking portal in Nigeria. We allow people who are looking for hotel rooms in Nigeria to search for hotels, get their room rates and book them online.

Why and when did you start Hotel.ng?

I started Hotels.ng in 2012 because I saw that there was no such site in Nigeria. I felt that there was a pressing need for such a service

                        

And how did you raise startup capital?

Initially, I raised money from Family and Friends, and a second round was done with Spark.ng.

                            

What turns you on?

Good design.

What turns you off?

Lack of attention to detail.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?

I think my greatest achievement was coming out as one of the best Msc students in my University in Germany.

What is the one lesson entrepreneurship has taught you?

That the best way to achieve anything is to simply do it, and not to over-plan.

How was growing up like for you?

I grew up in a small town in Akwa Ibom State called Ikot Ekpene. I did my primary and secondary school there. The town was quite small, so growing up was a quiet and insulated experience.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I have always enjoyed being creative and being independent. People who are like that will tend to want to run their own businesses.

What’s your own definition of success?

Success is achieving contentedness, but too often, the people who strive for success are never content.

Advice for other young/aspiring entrepreneurs.

Read a lot, do a lot.

Final words…..

I think it’s important that anyone who wants to have a business should simply just start and not wait for the right time. Most of the things that one needs to know are learnt by experience – and the earlier you start, the more experience you will gain.

Are you a young entrepreneur under the age of 35 with an interesting story of success (or failure)? If yes, then dipoolatade's blog community has something to learn from you.

Kindly send us an email at dipoolatade@gmail.com,or chat with me on whatsapp through +2348093503769

Interview by Yinka Brand

This is my life work: Helping people to discover their PURPOSE for living so they can live a PURPOSEFUL & REMARKABLE life. I'm an expert in bringing out GEMS from a MOUNTAIN OF JUNK. I help "small men" do big things. My name is Yinka Brand. I solve problems for a living, even the hard ones!

Source:Under35ceo.co