Greg Uanseru

Greg Uanseru is the president and CEO of GCA Energy Limited – a production plant offering a wide range of cutting-edge support services throughout Nigeria, with a focus on onshore and offshore procurement support, metering and calibration, fire engineering, and environmental services, his qualified team of experts are leaders in the oil and gas sector.

Greg attributes much of his success to hard work and dedication. Having begun his career as a member of the cabin crew staff for Nigerian Airways, he quickly worked his way up the corporate ladder. During his time at the airline, he was exposed to various training courses and business opportunities that provided him with the skills and expertise to start his own business.

He is now considered one of the wealthiest oil moguls in Nigeria and is always searching for new business opportunities. With years of industry-related experience, he looks forward to his company’s continued expansion.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I began my career working for Nigerian Airlines; however, I always knew I wanted to venture out into the business landscape. I was fortunate enough to be exposed to several business opportunities early on in my career that helped pave the way to my success. In the early 80s, we acted as an agency company to Siemens Building Technologies UK Limited, providing support services to Nigerian refineries. Since then, we have completely restructured and now provide a wide range of procurement and maintenance services to various industries.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I utilize technology wherever I can. There are numerous online tools that help me map out my day, whether it be; scheduling meetings, responding to emails, or organizing my tasks. My business has a lot of working parts, so it is essential that my day be fairly structured.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I work with a team of industry leading professionals, who all bring a high degree of creativity and innovation to the table. GCA Energy Limited would be nothing without their continued contributions. In saying this, I rely on the opinions of my team to help bring my ideas to life.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I like the increased focus on sustainability in the oil and gas sector. Companies are becoming more aware of their ecological footprint and are taking the necessary steps to decrease their environmental impact.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Working with overseas suppliers and manufacturers is fundamental to our business; however, it is not without its challenges. From international company structures and varying foreign policies, we must always take into account potential productivity issues. As a result, it is essential that I prioritize clear communication with all business partners to ensure our operations run smoothly.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would probably tell myself to have more faith in my abilities. When working for Nigerian Airways, I always doubted whether or not I would be able to get my own business off the ground. While I am extremely grateful for how far I have come, I feel as though I lacked confidence early on in my career.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

The best way to get through a creative block is to keep pushing through. Most individuals recommend taking a break or taking a step back from the task at hand, but I think the best way to overcome a mental block is to continue working.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I work diligently to establish lasting professional connections. Networking has been fundamental to the growth of my business and has provided me with many professional opportunities. I have also cultivated lasting connections with individuals from a wide range of industries.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I would have to say forming long-term supplier relationships. Forming connections provides a sense of security and ensures our daily operations continue to run smoothly.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I would not necessarily call it a failure but there was a point where I had difficulty managing my responsibilities. As an entrepreneur, you have to learn how to delegate duties. I consider myself a very hands-on person, so it was challenging having to hand off some of my day-to-day activities.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Whether or not this is feasible in 2021, I would have to say the implementation of wearables, (i.e. the use of augmented and virtual reality). A lot of jobs in our industry are especially dangerous so having a device that could allow workers to inspect these areas without being physically present would be a milestone in innovation.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I actually recently purchased an online magazine prescription for a business site. I always make it a priority to stay up to date with industry-related trends.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I have just begun using Asana, it is an integrated project planning software for business professionals. As a highly organized individual, I am always searching for new ways to keep me productive.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Rethinking Competitive Advantage: New Rules for the Digital Age by Ram Charan. It is a really insightful take on how innovation is fundamental to success. The book offers a different perspective on how to really transform your business over time.

What is your favorite quote?

“Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.” Jim Rohn

Key Learnings:

● Networking is vital to your company’s success
● Try not to let self-doubt cloud your ambitions
● Seek new ways to manage professional responsibilities