What Will the Business of the Next Century Look Like? by Victor Edozien Reviews of the Asaba Group, Inc.

We started this book by asking, “What will the New America look like?”

Now that we have shared information and insights that sheds light on that question, it is time to ask a second one

            

“What will new American business look like?”

              

How will it operate? What will its priorities be? We invited Victor Edozien of The Asaba Group to share his views. Victor, a seasoned strategy consultant, is originally from Nigeria. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering and geology from Syracuse University. Also, he studied business administration and management at University of Pittsburgh and University of California, Berkeley. He started his career as an engineer at United Technologies, where he was awarded a US patent. He then went to business school and joined the Ford Motor Company.

After Ford, he joined a Bain & Company consulting spin-off called The Lucas Group. This was a corporate strategy consulting practice focused on the needs of private equity funds and their portfolio companies. Here, he led numerous growth strategy engagements, which has led to substantial growth in revenue and profits for private equity investors and Fortune 500 clients.  Recently Victor helped launched The Asaba Group, a strategy consulting practice focused on developing pragmatic winning growth strategies in the multicultural environment. The goal of The Asaba Group, located in Boston, is to help corporations, private equity investors and middle market companies enter and prosper in this new market.

Find out more about The Asaba Group by visiting www.asabagroup.com.

                                                                                  

How should a company find success in America’s growing multicultural markets?

That is a disarmingly simple question. Therefore, I will answer in an equally simple way.

A company should think about entering the new markets in essentially the same way it would think about entering a new market abroad. You begin by asking these strategic questions:

What are the relevant market segments? (Size and defining attributes)

What is your unique value proposition to these segments? How well do your products fit the needs of the target consumers?

What are the optimal channels to fulfill the requirements of the target segments?

Let us say you had decided to sell your products in Vietnam. How should you undertake your marketing efforts?

You would not simply go there with your same products, place advertisements in Vietnamese electronic media and magazines, and expect to succeed. You would most likely begin by asking the key strategic questions mentioned earlier. Yet, many American businesses approach ethnic markets without asking these same strategic questions. These businesses proceed by spending money and time placing ads. This is indicative of viewing ethnic markets as only a downstream tactical initiative.

Repeatedly, we see mid-level marketing and brand managers who are charged with making decisions about the ethnic markets without clear knowledge on how to approach these markets. These managers have defaulted to hiring ethnic advertising agencies and placing ads in what they have defined as “culturally relevant” media. Creative content is typically an African- American, Asian or Hispanic face in their ad. These, in most instances, maybe the same ads used in the mainstream media. With this done, it assumed that the job is done.

Find out more about What Will the Business of the Next Century Look Like? by Victor Edozien Reviews of the Asaba Group, Inc.

Victor Edozien: More Tips on Innovative Management

Asaba Group Holdings continues to seek innovative solutions to problems that will enhance their company's viability as well as develop their clients' experience with the company through the services the company provides. 

Here are more vital steps you can take to develop your business management: 

1. Innovation is beyond invention 

Invention commonly refers to the creation of something new or novel while innovation involves improving upon something that already exists. But if we observe King Solomon's wisdom, nothing new is ever created and so we end up equating invention with innovation. Nevertheless, innovation, as it is applied in the modern context, requires going beyond the mere creation of something that has not been conceived or produced before by humans. 

Certainly, the smartphone did not exist before the '90s. It is an invention as well as an innovation in communication. However, the way it was conceived off initially, it was a practical tool for replacing the old land-based phone for the sole purpose of making direct calls. Of course, now we know what smartphones are now capable of doing – and that is innovation adding to what had been already invented. 

As someone has put it, invention is the first step of the process; innovation is the continuing process of improving upon what exists. Birds already flew for millennia upon the earth; but it took human ingenuity to imitate and even surpass the possibilities of flight. 

2. Innovativeness should become an acquired habit 

The desire and discipline to attain excellence is never an inborn quality. Children either catch the ability to be creative from somewhere or they are taught to become so. Even prodigies need to hear or see something before they can acquire some proficiency in certain artistic skills. In general though, creative or innovative genius arises because there is a need or the desire to achieve something extraordinary. 

In the organization, innovation can only be of great use and value when more people are constantly engaged in the process of improving how things are done. Releasing the energy to innovate demands providing enough individual freedom to workers, as well as collective independence, in order for the organization to come up with novel solutions. 

Once the habit of innovation has developed, the organization will become an organic source of ideas and ways of transformation that the organization is capable of undergoing toward its maturity and greater progress. 

3. Develop innovation pioneers 

As in many human endeavors, innovation also requires the presence of people who seek ways to solve certain problems in simple or ingenious manner. These thinkers can be radical, rebellious and even destructive in the way they approach things; however, allowing them to do what they do best can bring about the necessary improvement in the general environment. 

If Einstein had been content with accepting the ideas of Galileo and Newton, he would not have come up with the Theory of Relativity. Had he been content with his job as a patent-office clerk, he would not have brought about revolutionary changes in the study of our physical world. 

An organization needs these pioneers who will lead the way to innovation and to productivity. 

4. Conduct trial-and-error runs to ferret out errors 

Brainstorming sessions can provide as many innovative solutions to a particular problem. However, trimming down the list to a few possible and least risky will suffice to propel the process toward a positive outcome. Taking into consideration profitability and efficiency in the implementation, the organization can then choose one or more of the remaining solutions to achieve maximum productivity. 

Committing mistakes is a given in almost any endeavor in life. Yet the fear of failure which will result in stagnation and loss of income can prevent many from taking necessary risks. Without a healthy amount of risk-taking, innovation cannot produce the necessary benefits it is meant to achieve. 

5. Instill creative competition 

Finally, in order to sustain an atmosphere conducive to innovation, an organization will do well to select people who have diverse talents and disciplinary backgrounds in order to maintain a broad base for addressing issues. When each distinct perspective is given the chance to present the problem, a more synergistic and encompassing solution will arise. 

Asaba Group Holdings believes in capability of people with wide experience and excellent professionalism to innovate according to the processes described above. It has always subscribed to the holistic approach as the determining factor for making any organization thrive in the dynamic and highly-competitive environment.

Asaba Group Holdings, Victor Edozien: Federal Judge Formally Dismisses Two-Year Effort

Federal Judge Formally Dismisses Two-Year Effort By Philadelphia Company To Unlawfully Damage Vedozi Inc’s Business; Gives Victor Edozien Clear Victory.

After two years of vigorously defending against meritless multiple lawsuits brought by Philadelphia-based Cintron Beverage Group or “CBG”, through its principal owner Wes Wyatt, Vedozi, Inc. and its principal, Victor Edozien, are pleased to announce that they have won.

The dismissal confirms Edozien’s long-held resolve that CBG’s case was without foundation and not entitled to a ruling that sought monetary compensation and a cessation of lawful and legitimate business activities outside of the United States where Vedozi Inc.’s business partners have established a global brand known as Cintron Premium Energy Drink.

Wes Wyatt’s CBG erroneously claimed that Vedozi Inc. and Victor Edozien were infringing U.S. trademarks (which had not even been registered and are being contested in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office),based primarily on nonsensical allegations relating to lawful and legitimate business activities engaged inby Vedozi’s business partners outside the United States.

“There was never a doubt in my mind that all of the claims against Vedozi and Mr. Edozien lacked meritand it was only a matter of time before they would be dismissed. I am gratified that my clients were fully exonerated from the baseless allegations made against them,” said Vedozi’s counsel, Kevin B. Hirsch ofMichigan-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.

The two-year long attempt by Wes Wyatt’s CBG to damage Vedozi’s business interest was finallydismissed by Judge Sanchez “with prejudice” which means that they cannot be resurrected. All of CBG’sclaims have been dismissed. The beginning of the end came when the Judge refused CBG’s nefariousattempts to go after Victor Edozien individually. CBG’s misguided efforts to go after other Edozienbusinesses -- including The Asaba Group, Inc. and AG Manufacturing, Inc.-- which had no connection tothe beverage industry or any involvement whatsoever in the activities alleged in the lawsuit, also failedspectacularly.

CBG finally folded once and for all when Wes Wyatt, as the Chairman of CBG, agreed to dismiss all of theremaining claims brought by CBG without receiving any money from Vedozi Inc., Edozien or anyone else.Victor Edozien expanded on this theme: “From the beginning I have always said these lawsuits werebaseless and a brazen attempt by CBG to aggressively assert rights they do not have or own! This case

was also unsuccessful in its attempt to damage the character, reputation, and integrity of myself and mybusiness partners. I was adamant that I would never pay one dime to make these frivolous allegations goaway and I DID NOT! Vedozi Inc. has a bright future and my partners and I are now free to move forwardand aggressively execute our global business plans. This victory serves as a reminder that any similarattempt to misappropriate Vedozi's interest will be contested vigorously anywhere in the world. Let this beclear to potential adversaries: We have the resources, courage, relentless determination, and perseveto say to them– ‘There is a line that cannot be crossed and there is a point beyond which they must never advance’ ”

About Vedozi Inc.

Vedozi Inc. is a merchant trading, sourcing, and distribution company. Since 2007, its business partners have invested and developed the critically acclaimed Cintron Premium Energy drink brand internationally. The brand has grown into a lucrative worldwide business under the aegis of Cintron World (www.cintronworld.com). Global trademarks and intellectual property rights for the Cintron Premium Energy Drink branded products have always been held by Vedozi Inc.’s business partners.

For additional information on related companies, please contact or visit websites below:

CINTRON WORLD – www.cintronworld.com

350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6610 New York, NY 10118 USA

Tel: +1 212 273 3352

THE ASABA GROUP – www.asabagroup.com

220 North Main Street, Suite 102 Natick MA 01760 USA

Tel: +1 508 655 8100

AG MANUFACTURING – www.agmanufacturing.com

319 Industrial Parkway, Harbor Beach MI 48441 USA

Tel: +1 989 479 9590

Asaba Group Holdings, Victor Edozien: Cintron World and the Cintron Pink Polo Event

Cintron World, an international beverage company with a line of flavored energy drinks Cintron Premium Energy, is proud to announce that they are the headline sponsors of the prestigious Pink Polo event in South Africa, naming it “Cintron Pink Polo.” Cintron World is pleased to have established this strategic relationship with the luxurious Val de Vie Estate, where the polo event is taking place, as there is much synergy between the lifestyle of these brands. Val de Vie is the perfect place outside of Cape Town, South Africa to experience polo in a fun, exciting and fashionable manner. Cintron World will also contribute to the Pink Polo event with its tantalizing flavors, premium energy, delicious cocktails and fabulous style.

The vision of Cintron World is to be a premier luxury lifestyle brand that encourages people to aspire to look good and feel great by living a fashionable, productive healthily lifestyle. Cintron World’s mission to its customers is to excite with flavor and taste, stimulate with healthy and natural ingredients as well as inspire with style and sophistication. Cintron Premium Energy drinks have great taste and come in three flavors: Original, Cranberry and Pineapple. The premium quality is due to the fact that Cintron Premium Energy is crafted from natural ingredients, real fruit juice, natural mineral water, contains no artificial coloring or chemical preservatives and is Halal Certified. Cintron’s premium ingredient of Glucoronolactone delivers nice long-lasting energy to get its consumers through busy days and fun nights.

Chelsea Brehm, Director of Business Development & Marketing for Cintron World commented, “With our beverage line, Cintron Premium Energy, we are focused on expanding distribution throughout South Africa and creating brand awareness through polo events. Cintron Pink Polo at Val de Vie is a great opportunity to support the amazing athleticism of polo and take part in the fabulous lifestyle of polo all while raising funds for breast cancer. Therefore, everyone wins!” Vale de Vie Estate, situated in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, will celebrate the beginning of summer and the polo season on October 25th 2014 with the Cintron Pink Polo powered by Africa’s strongest cellphone network, Vodacom with the private Swedish bank, Julius Bar as Pink Polo’s official banking partner and Gaggenau as Pink Polo’s sub sponsor for the third year.

Simone de Wet, Managing Director of Val de Vie Events commented, “The last 4 years of celebrating miracles have truly been amazing, with Cintron Pink Polo around the corner we invite you to join in on this very glamorous, festive celebration in the most breathtaking outdoor location in the world. With the event partnership between Val de Vie and Cintron, expect nothing less than the exceptional.”

This annual event, in its 5th year, raises funds for The Cancer Association of South Africa, in awareness for breast cancer. Funds raised by the Cintron Pink Polo will be used to assist women throughout South Africa with their practical and medical needs in their fight and recovery from this disease. The event is a unique blend of glamour, fashion and polo action. Cintron Pink Polo has become a highlight on the Cape Town and South African social calendar. Guests are hosted in style and treated to a VIP experience as they enjoy a day of polo and fashion while sipping Cintron Cocktails, Pongracz MCC and enjoying the decadent high tea treats. Guests can expect a day full of spoils and treats by all the wonderful sponsors involved, including Elle magazine, Sisley, GHD and many more.

The two polo team sponsors, Cintron and Gaggenau, will put on a world-class polo match featuring some of South Africa’s best players. The teams will even feature female players whom will all be in a bid to win the coveted Cintron Pink Polo trophy.

Cintron is more than just a premium energy drink; it’s a lifestyle. The Cintron brand is an embodiment of Sophistication, Premium Taste, Luxury and Energy. Cintron host events in the most fabulous locations, inthe most premium venues and with the most beautiful people around the world. This is why Cintron is very pleased and excited to be the title sponsor of “Cintron Pink Polo” at the Val de Vie Estate. There is synergy between these brands, as Cintron and Val de Vie both value premier events that are fun andexciting in a fashionable manner. Therefore, Cintron Pink Polo is the perfect event for all the prestigiousguests to enjoy polo and drink Cintron. #CintronPinkPolo

Victor Edozien: Asaba Group Holdings Information

Asaba Group Holdings (http://asabagroupholdings.com/) a holding entity which leverages its Principal’s strategy consulting background and insights to create value for all stakeholders. A core ethos of its investment philosophy is seeking situations whereby it can disrupt and reinvent business models in existing industries to provide growth and economic returns to all its stakeholders.

Asaba Group Holdings’ portfolio companies are focused on providing customers with innovative solutions that help them maintain and increase market share. We generate long-term, superior returns for our shareholders/investors by investing in companies with unique market advantages or that occupy a competitive "white space" within an industry. We provide them with strong focused management teams and strategic guidance which leverages our strategy and management consulting heritage.. Its holdings are manufacturing businesses focused on serving the automotive, aerospace, defense, and consumer industries. 2013 Portfolio revenues at $500 Million with an Enterprise Value of $50 Million with 650 employees and 10 locations in the USA.

Portfolio Companies:

–AG Manufacturing Inc (www.agmanufacturing.com) An electrical and solenoid sub-assembly manufacturer for the automotive, marine, and military defense industries. Products include wire harnesses, electronic control actuators, electromechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic components for automotive, truck, and military applications. AG has plants in Michigan, Illinois, and Alabama

–SET Enterprises, Inc (www.setenterprises.com) A leading provider of steel and aluminum processing services to the automotive industry. Customers include OEMs and direct/Tier 1 suppliers. SET has locations in Michigan, Alabama, Indiana, and Illinois.

–Cintron World Inc. (www.cintronworld.com) A premium lifestyle brand beverage company focused on building brands and functional beverages that target aspirational lifestyle consumer segments with fast growing disposable incomes. Its brands include are Cintron – Premium Energy Drink, Cintron Polo Club, VikMix Revitalizer, and ENVO. Cintron World head office is located in New York City.

Profile – Managing Partner

Victor Edozien is the Founder/Managing Partner of Asaba Group (AG), Inc. - a strategy consulting/private equity holding company (www.asabagroupholdings.com) and is a veteran of the US Army Infantry.

He has been in the private equity business for over 10 years and is the CEO and President of both AG Manufacturing, Inc and SET Enterprises, Inc. Victor has over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, revenue growth strategy, acquisition strategies and business turnarounds/improvement.

He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering, BA Geology with Mathematics, MS in Engineering, and a MBA in Finance & Operations Management. He is currently a Wharton Fellow at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a recent graduate of the prestigious Global CEO Program of The Wharton School (USA), IESE Business School (Spain) and CEBIS (China).

Victor is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), and CEO Connection. He is a board member of Real Life 101 Scholarship and Mentoring Program (www.reallife101.org); a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to improving the higher education opportunities to inner-city African American males.

Asaba Group Holdings, Victor Edozien: Steel processor SET appoints new chief

CHICAGO — Steel processor SET Enterprises Inc. has named Victor Edozien president and chief executive officer.

Edozien, who has acquired a "significant" equity position in SET, will assist SET as it continues to execute its growth initiatives, the company said.

The Warren, Mich.-based company, which also provides duct manufacturing and construction

services, operates facilities in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. Prompted by the needs of such key customers as Ford Motor Co., Chrysler Group LLC and ThyssenKrupp Steel USA LLC, it opened a 70,000-square-foot plant in Jackson, Ala., in March.

"With our recent expansions into Alabama, our entry into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, duct and construction industries, (and) our growth in our core businesses, including automotive, we recognized the need to expand our organizational resources,"chairman Sid E. Taylor said in a statement.

Edozien has sat on SET’s board for five years, and he and Taylor have worked together on other ventures.

The company said that Edozien has acquired a significant equity position in SET Enterprises through AG-Steel LLC, an affiliate company of Asaba Group Inc, which he founded. With Edozien’s equity stake, "we (have) set the foundation for a long-term succession plan that will carry the company well into the future," Taylor said.

Edozien is the founder and managing principal of Asaba Group, a strategy consulting/private equity holding company. He worked in the auto industry for 15 years and runs other automotive businesses under AG-Manufacturing Inc., which has facilities in Alabama, Illinois and Michigan. SET has been in business supplying steel to automakers and their Tier I and Tier II suppliers since 1989.

AMM ensures that you'll have all the necessary tools to gain a complete education in the metals industry. You'll have an understanding of the forces that move the markets, how conditions in the overall economy will likely impact the industry, complete coverage of labor issues, consolidations, and movements of key executives, how demand in emerging markets will impact global supplies, and anything else that could potentially impact your business if you buy and sell metal in the North American markets. A small annual investment in your AMM subscription will return huge dividends to the bottom line of your business by allowing you to make informed strategic decisions.

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Asaba Group Holdings: Victor Edozien In NASDAQ Closing Bell Event on Behalf of Successful United States Middle Market Companies

NEW YORK, NY-- - Victor Edozien, CEO of SET Enterprises Inc, a portfolio company of Asaba Group Holdings, rang the NASDAQ closing bell today, a rare honor for and first for any of the Asaba Group Holding companies.

Kenneth Beck, the Chief Executive Officer of CEO Connection had requested Edozien and few other Mid-Market CEOs, who are all members of CEO Connection, to participate in this honorable event to highlight the importance of mid-market companies like SET Enterprises to the U.S. economy with respect to innovation, employment growth and wealth creation. SET Enterprises has been innovative and growing and is a significant value added manufacturer in the automotive industry. CEO Connection is highlighting the importance of the middle market and its role as a major contributor to economic growth. Middle markets are companies with $100 million to $3 billion in revenue and they invited Edozien to showcase the growth of the Asaba Group Holdings’ steady expansion in the last few years and its target to be at $1 billion in revenue within the decade.

About Victor Edozien

Victor Edozien is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Asaba Group, Inc. - a strategy consulting/private equity holding company. A veteran of the US Army, Edozien has over 15 years of experience in strategy development & planning, revenue growth, acquisitions and business improvement.

In addition, he has been in principal investing since 2004 primarily in manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. He currently leads two portfolio automotive businesses: AG Manufacturing (www.agmanufacturing.com) and SET Enterprises, Inc. (www.setenterprises.com) which has manufacturing locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Alabama. He is an Executive Director at Cintron World Inc. (www.cintronworld.com) a premium branded beverage manufacturer. His three portfolio companies have combined annual revenues of approximately $500 million annually. Edozien’s holds a BS in Electrical Engineering, BA Geology with Mathematics, MS in Engineering, and a MBA in Finance & Operations Management. He is currently a Wharton Fellow at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), and CEO Connection.

About CEO Connection

Designed to facilitate peer relationships, CEO Connection is the only membership organization in the world focused exclusively on mid-market CEOs. It connects thousands of mid-market CEOs with each other and to people, information and resources to which they would otherwise not have access. Members are C-level executives with responsibility for all or significant portions of their respective company. It represents a wide variety of businesses across a broad geographic spectrum. The average size of the companies members run is $1.8 billion in annual revenue and 7,600 employees. Inspired by C-level Wharton executives, CEO Connection began in 2005 and has evolved into a dynamic community with wide-ranging benefits uniquely designed to help the mid-market CEO and champion the mid-market perspective. It is all about CEOs helping CEOs

About NASDAQ OMX Group

NASDAW OMZ is a leading provider of trading, exchange technology, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, NASDAQ OMX enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today’s global capital markets. As the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world’s securities transactions. NASDAQ OMX is home to more than 3,300 listed companies with a market value of over $8 trillion.

Visit http://asabagroupholdings.com/for latest news, events and initiatives.

Asaba Group Holdings, Victor Edozien: The Prince of Steel

Nigeria-American businessman, Victor Edozien, has quietly built a $400m portfolio in the American automotive manufacturing industry. He towers elegantly as Nigeria’s image builder in the global community.

MANUFACTURING plants across the United States of America have faced steady close-downs as businessmen move their operations to Asia and Latin America to reduce cost and optimize profits. This has led to high unemployment and dislocation, leaving industrial centres such Detroit in ruins. If the situation is to be resolved however, it will be due to brave souls such as Nigerian American investor and business personality, Mr. Victor Edozien, whose string of plants are keeping thousands of people in jobs and last year returned a healthy $400million turnover. Edozien’s Asaba Holdings operates manufacturing, consulting and lifestyle businesses and has operations in five states in the US. Its portfolio companies include the AG Manufacturing Inc, which is an Electrical and electronics sub-assembly manufacturer for the automotive, marine and military defense industries; the SET Enterprises, which is a major provider of steel processing services to the automotive industry and the Asaba Group which offers strategy consultancy to the automotive industry and the US Air Force. The companies operate manufacturing plants in Michigan, Illinois, Alabama and Indiana. ‘We have a portfolio turnover of $400m last year and our goal is to reach $1billion by the end of the decade,’ Edozien told The Guardian at his office located on the 66th floor of the iconic Empire State building in New York. ‘The basics are there. We have over 700 highly motivated employees and our businesses are well run.’

It is hard not be infected by Edozien’s optimism about the ability of his businesses to continue its dizzying growth, after all the total portfolio turnover of the operation was a mere $1.2million in 2004. So, how has this man, who grew up in Nigeria been able to leverage his talents to build a successful business in the United States?

Edozien said: ‘What I do is seek competitive white space to invest in. I usually use my own money to do business, so I have independence in decision-making. But I also have a strong management team to run the various operations. I rely on them a lot. I just provide guidance and strategic visioning. The crucial question for us is always, is there opportunity for us to move in? Once this is clear, I take the decision to invest or not.’

A Nigerian Life

Born in New Jersey, but educated in Nigeria up till undergraduate level at the University of Port Harcourt, Edozien – a scion of the Edozien royal family of Asaba – dropped out of school to relocate to the United States in the 1980s where he obtained a Masters’ degree and served in the US army, 10th mountain division.

‘I gained a lot from the military experience,’ he said. ‘The US military is one of the best in the world and you leave with focus and belief that you can do anything. The slogan used to be: ‘be all you can be’. Does that give you the grounding to take on life’s challenges, of course it does. I just see hurdles as challenges and I move ahead to climb it.

‘When I was at Uniport, I wasn’t the most disciplined student. That was the time of Andrew and I was one those that checked out and never looked back. I did two years in Geology at Uniport and transferred to Syracuse where I got a super education.’

After school, Edozien worked on electrical controls for air-conditioning, from 91-92 and was part of the team that designed the now ubiquitous remote control system for split-unit air conditioners. ‘I have a patent for one of those designs’ he said.

But he always wanted to be at the business end of things. ‘The quantitative side of me is where I am more comfortable and that works fine in Finance, but the human relations part is the weak spot. I started working to get on with the business management side of things.’

He started a consultancy, the Asaba Group, which had a good client list including General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. It even executed contracts worth $20million for the US Air Force. ‘I was making quite a lot of money out of the consulting,’ he said. ‘But I still wanted to be in a situation where I moved away from giving advice to doing things. I want to run better-managed and more profitable companies. I always have my eyes on the automobile industry because most of my clients on the consulting side are in the industry. I tried to convince people to buy non-performing firms in the sector. I talked to a lot of people in Nigeria to join me, but they did not want to invest. So, I stopped trying to depend on anyone for what I do.’

The startEdozien decided on his first acquisition when he came across an electrical parts manufacturing company that was dying.

He said: ‘I was working with Chrysler and there was a contractor that had moved all its plants minus one to Honduras and China. There are characteristics of some plants that do not lend itself to being moved away. So, I moved on the plant. It cost $2million and from that point onwards, I put myself in a situation where I am able to take advantage of such opportunities in the industry.’ However, it was not easy turning the plant around. Edozien and his friend and financial adviser, Michael Oniamwah (also a Nigerian-American) worked for almost three years to turn the business around. But  first, they had to convince the entirely white staff that they are who they claim to be. And a major newspaper did not help matters by carrying a story that appears to condemn the plant before the new owners even had a chance to start implementing their turn-around plan.

‘You can imagine the shock on the faces of the staff when, after closing the buy-out deal, we walked onto the floor of the plant to say we are the new owners,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘We were the only two black people within a 150 mile radius – and we are the new owners of the plant! Two guys with Nigerian accents and we told them we just bought the business. They were all just staring at us.’ Until one person spoke what was uppermost in the minds of the staff at that time: when were they getting paid? It was near Christmas and the former owners had not paid the salary. Edozien promised they will get paid, and they were. Although the company lost money the first two years, and had to rely on cash injections from the Asaba Group consulting business, it finally became profitable and now has an annual turnover of $35million. The company, which has 250 people on its payroll, is the second highest employer of labour in the town of Habour Beach, Michigan.

His next set of acquisition was the SET Enterprises, with plants in Michigan, Illinois and Alabama. Perhaps the SET plant in Detroit is a good example of the force for good that businesses such as Edozien’s could become in a society. The plant is located smack in the middle of decaying Detroit, with boarded-up and crumbling homes within its immediate vicinity. Staff of the plant gamely tried to keep public facilities such as community parks going. Of course, each of the huge plants also depends on power – and this means Edozien could not even think of moving any to Nigeria.

‘You see how much power they depend on,’ he told The Guardian during a trip to the SET flat rolled steel plant at New Boston, Michigan. ‘If I don’t have constant power, we can’t work. So, it is going to be hard to move any of the operations to Nigeria, but it is not impossible.’

Edozien was a partner in the SET operations before he bought out the owner. So, how risky is it to partner with him, seeing as he is past master at consolidating businesses he is involved in. He said, with an easy smile, it is not really a risk.

‘The thing is, I make money for people. The only people who are not happy with me are those who try to double cross me,’ he said.

Double-cross is not uncommon and Edozien has battled through a few. In fact, he only last March won a two-year-old legal suit against former partners- turned- adversaries, who wanted to usurp his rights to global energy drink, Cintron. The legal battle was costly – about a half a million dollars in legal fees – and draining. But Edozien said the brutality of the case provided further motivation for him to take his businesses even higher.

‘My former partners, who tried to use the American court system to bully me, thinking I am not American, have been disgraced,’ he said. ‘This is the greatest country in the world. There is no other place wheresomeone like me can be this huge. I speak with an accent. I have a Nigerian heritage, but this country has helped me to build a multi-million dollar business.