Comedian’s bet on graphics pays off

When you watch him cracking jokes and ribs, you will appreciate that Dolibondo is naturally an entertainer. But beyond cracking ribs, in his other life, Dolibondo is a serious businessman. He is Felix Jesero, a businessman and graphic designer, earning an annual turnover of between Shs20 million and Shs150 million after taxation and all operational costs.

His works are pasted and posted on a number of billboards in town, as well as placards, pull burners, cups, caps, calendars, postcards, among other branding materials.

The self-taught graphic designer is the brain behind Big Yard Graphics Company, headquartered on Printers Arcade on Nasser Road in Kampala, with a branch at Centenary Park. Jesero holds a degree in Computer Engineering majoring in hardware maintenance and a diploma in Computer Repair and Maintenance from Aptech Computer Education.

Jesero, who is good at multi-tasking, directs operations, manages clients, the finances and looks for business.

“I believe in hard work because it pays and with this, comes customer satisfaction, which is key in any business, especially in graphics which is becoming more competitive every other day. These values have helped me maintain a good relationship with my clients while attracting more,” he explains.

His first client of a few years back, Vincent Oboth, is still offering him work.

“He gave me a contract to print for him food coupons for his restaurant business. Since then, I have been offering him my services. We met when I was still cutting out my teeth as a comedian at the Pilsner Stage to Fame competition in 2007,” the graphic designer explains.

Today, Jesero’s clientele base has grown. He is also a shareholder in Laftaz Comedy Lounge at Centenary Park, the home of Mic Check comedians.

“All Laftaz Comedy Lounge’s promotion materials are printed through my company. I also do graphic work for Capital FM and have offered my creative abilities on several projects.

Fireworks Advertising Agency has offered Big Yard the biggest projects, not one, not two but quite a number of them,” he talks about his client base.

Impressed about the earnings from his projects, he decided to pump it back into the business rather than spending it.

“I bought software and new machines because I would like to keep abreast with the latest technology and software in the market,” he adds.

Lessons
Despite the experience he has gained in the business, Jesero still has more to learn. He says being self-employed has taught him to be understanding, empathetic and to keep updated on the latest technology trends.

At the back of his mind, he cannot forget that clients are the pillars of his company. His best days in business occur when a client approves of work he has delivered because this lifts his spirit.

When asked about why start-up businesses fail, he cites client dissatisfaction as the major reason. He argues that clients should be treated well and given good work because they will indirectly market the business and draw more business for it.

Jesero also points at the location of a business as another important factor, as well as the product and its reach in the market place.

“It is always good to consult from seniors in your field or profession. This helps you not only build networks but also acquire priceless advice that will help you make informed decisions, because such people have the experience,” he advises, adding that financial discipline and keenness on the inflows and outflows of money for any business, no matter its size, is very key. He says part of the reason Big Yard is still operating is because he is financially disciplined.

He advises young people, particularly those who are self-employed or planning to start companies, to understand clients and their preferences.

“If you are to get work from corporate companies, respect what they call brand identity. This comes with producing work for instance without changing colour however slight, and keeping in touch with the client for approvals before producing the work,” he adds.

Top on his wish list is to move his company from medium size to a standard size company. He is thankful to his fans as a comedian and to Big Yard clients for making keeping him in business.

Jesero says artistry earned him a name but with time, he realised that the wealthiest artists in the world have several avenues of income.
Running a company has introduced him to opportunities he had never dreamt of.

Asked if his career in comedy has not affected his image and client’s perception of him, Jesero says he always looks to one of his business partners, Jonathan Kyeyo, for image business boosting in business.

“Many a time I never go for a meeting without him. At times, I delegate him,” the youthful businessman adds.

Challenges
Like any job, graphic designing comes with its challenges. He once lost Shs5 million, which he says was as a result of under-quoting for a job.
When he did the job, he realised the materials were more expensive and he could not go back to the client to ask for more money. The loss hurt his business but he was able to deal over it.
From then on, he always makes inquiries from his suppliers before making a quotation.

Jesero also often meets clients who want good work yet they are not willing to part with the required amount.

“Some clients have a low budget but they would like good stuff, which costs more than what they are offering. But because I would not want to lose them, I end up working for them at a very thin profit margin. Other clients give you little time to finish their jobs, so I have to work longer hours so as to beat their deadline,” Jesero points out.

The numbers

40%
The percentage he can earn off the production cost of a project. For instance, he says, if a project costs Shs60 million, he will be assured of earning Shs24 million.

Shs30 million
The biggest amount of money he has earned from a project he handled for one of the top banks (graphics designing and printing of promotional material).