We Aim To Please Clients By Turning Desire To Reality--Egwuatu Ralph

Egwuatu Ralph is an Artist and CEO of A Touch By "US", a company which handles in-house designs and construction. He reveals to TMG what his work entails and the height he intends to take the business to.

TMG> Tell us about yourself and your business

Egwuatu> My name is Egwuatu Ralph and I am from Anambra State. I graduated from Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. 
What we do is all encompassing - it involves everything that has to do with building, from scratch to finish. It is not mere painting by using colours but an engineering type of design that has to do with acid base concrete.

TMG> What was your career path?

Egwuatu> My career path was actually business administration and management but I am art inclined. My passion for art and designs drove me into exploring more than just pencil, brush and colours, looking for avenues to explore in-house designs and construction.

TMG> Where and how were you trained? Did you go to professional school and what credentials did you earn through the program?

Egwuatu> After my schooling, it became difficult to get a decent job, so I decided to explore and utilise the talent I had. Then I met Mr Elson Ejeckam, who put me through on 3D flooring, through Quest and Infinity Solutions Ltd.

TMG> What other positions have you previously held before going into Design?

Egwuatu> I started with a political appointment as SSA and PA to a Speaker and National Assembly member respectively. I was also a site engineer, contractor for government-funded projects, etc.

TMG> What motivates you to continue doing this?

Egwuatu> First, I would say it is passion driven - intellectually and economically.

TMG> How do Painters influence your thinking and career path?

Egwuatu> My inspiration came from art and designs/creativity, so I sought for a different and better way to relay my passion, bringing nature into house designs and finishing.

TMG> Exactly what is it you want to say with your designs, and how do you actually get you translate that on to the floor of a house?

Egwuatu> Our main aim is to translate our clients' desire into a structural edifice, to bring nature into homes for better appreciation through the mixture of acid- based concrete and save to achieve a particular design.

TMG> How do you get your materials and paint to do different drawings on the floor? 

Egwuatu> The acid base chemical is produced in China, using save print mixed with the acid and concrete. All other ones like wallpaper, paints, fittings and blinds, we source from anywhere else (even here in Nigeria).

TMG> How do you get paid for your designs?

Egwuatu> Just like every other worker. You pick your choice of design, we create and make it possible then you pay. It is actually charged per sq/m.

TMG> How many employees report to you and how efficient are they? If you are alone how do you manage?

Egwuatu> The thing is, you can't be alone in this,we have trained individuals,who have showed interest,at least up to 50,and we Still ready to train more.

TMG> In case of problems, how do you manage? Do you seek for help from another professional?

Egwuatu> well,because we are professionals,we are comitted to This through diligence and carefulness.thank God we have not had issues that will need wider consultations.I would say so far so good.

TMG> What do you do to stay educated about new trends?

Egwuatu> Well, it's a continuous learning process. We research for new and improved designs. It's a digital world you know.

TMG> What are your challenges and how do you handle them?

Egwuatu> Our challenge presently is getting people to acknowledge and apreciate it so that they can partner with us to import enough materials that can go round. We need more hands to learn too but so far, so good.

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career? 

Egwuatu> I would say I'm most grateful to God for giving me my friend, colleague and mentor, Mr Elson Ejeckam, who through his teachings and thorough nature, has driven me thus far and we hope to transfer this knowledge to interested persons.

TMG> Describe to us a problem you had with any customer in choosing a design and you did another one. How did you handle it? 

Egwuatu> It is inevitable to have issues because of human fallibility. At times we meet customers who seem to be confused on choice of design or position.so we draw up an agreement which both parties sign, so it would take care of such accidents. But we have not had such issues in a long time.

TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers?

Egwuatu>  We have a good management structure because our customers are our priority, their joy is our pride. So we take them as seriously as possible.

TMG> Tell us 3 things that you consider to be your strengths as an Artist?

Egwuatu> I would say my mission, my vision and drive to achieve them.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon?

Egwuatu> The job is a learning process, everyday we learn new things - business opprtunities, customer relationship, improving on the digital innovation of making your house a home with our designs.

TMG> How do you manage risks, in terms of damages or loss?

Egwuatu> When it comes to damages, it is totally on us so we train ourselves to be more careful. We have zero tolerance to carelessness; the company bears it because most times it is inevitable.

TMG> What way can you encourage other youths not to depend on government for jobs?

Egwuatu> The political and economic situation of the country says it all. We need to create an enabling environment for ourselves, over dependence on white colar jobs no longer pays. One has to look inward and figure out what he has passion for and engage in it. Believe me, with time, perseverance and focus we will all get there.

TMG> Do you have time to unwind and how?

Egwuatu> When I'm free, yes. I love football but I don't let anything interfere with my work because I love to deliver on my commitments on time, in good quality and specification.