1. So tell us about Fully Charged?
Fully Charged is an exciting fashion brand specialising in tees for individuals who are proud of their heritage and want to promote their roots in a subtle yet stylish manner. Our t-shirts are made from the finest quality materials that should wear well over time.
The beauty of our concept which makes us unique in our approach is that our designs and quotes are subtle in hinting what country, town, area you are celebrating leaving others guessing. We have purposely steered away from national colours to make others more inquisitive. Whatever the occasion, be it the world cup, Olympics, independence day, a birthday, a gift, a night out with friend or a trip to your local supermarket, we have a t-shirt for you.
2. What was the reason you setup your own business
Most of my life I have worked for others and which has been great and rewarding but you will always be working for someone else. I always knew i wanted to run my own business but it took me a while find out what i wanted to do. Starting your own business is one of the hardest things to do. Your business plan is your road map to success so i spent a lot time trying to get that right.
3. Being Nigerian, how has the Caribbean culture affected you growing up in the UK
I think today we live in a multi cultural environment. London is so diverse with so many different nationalities all living close together. Some say London is a melting pot but I’d say it’s still very much like a mixed salad as each culture blends into each other but there roots are still very distinctive. We are proud of both being Londoners and of our heritage which is part of what we try to achieve with Fully Charged.
In the earlier days there was a divide between the African and Caribbean cultures but it’s now replaced with harmless banter! I have learned so much about the Caribbean culture just by living in London. So much that i knew what to expect even before my first trip there out there.
4. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in business?
There are so many challenges you will face when starting up a business, i could be here all day. Planning and preparation is key, i can’t emphasise how important it is to have a good clear business plan which sets out your objectives and goals as you will need to come back to it time and time again and measure where you are based on your plan so you can see what might need to change.
The biggest challenge I found is having the power to make your own decisions. As great as that sounds, it’s so easy to make a wrong decision and you have nobody to blame but yourself. It’s always good to talk and bounce ideas with positive like minded people. Keep an eye on what is going on around you, with uncertainty due to the recession, you might have a fantastic idea or business but if consumers are worried about their next pay day, they wont spend or invest.
5. I hear you went to Trinidad Carnival, how did yo
u find it?
Trinidad Carnival, what can I say, where do i begin and where do i end LOL. The music, the vibe, the atmosphere was just amazing. I “Swappi” from Hip-Hop to Soca with guidance from Prophet Benjamin and came back a Bacchanalist!! Yeah google it LOL. If you need to go to one carnival in the world then it’s got to be the one at T&T.
6. Who’s your idol?
I have an endless list of people i admire for what they have done in their lives to achieve and accomplish their goals which has made them successful. There are those who are an inspiration to us all, people like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Mohammed Ali. My true hero are the ones that are closer to me, the ones who helped my make a change to my life, my parents for raising me to be the man i am today.
My school teachers, my close friends who have inspired me by leading the way. I think everyone who helps you take that little step to where you want to be in life is an idol. I have a great team around.
7. So what’s next for Adam Sada?
Growth, we have so many ideas for the brand, expanding our current fashion range an brining out new products for a start. We are currently selling our tees in the UK and across Africa. Fully Charged is such a powerful name that we see it being used for various consumer good and services. We’re still currently in the planning phase but expect to hear more from Fully Charged so watch out Virgin!!
8. Where can we find out more about your tees?
We have our website www.GetFullyCharged.com, we are on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pages/FULLY-CHARGED/94039700052 or follow us through our adventures on Twitter @GETFULLYCHARGED
