In the realm of global entrepreneurship, Kingsley Kobayashi stands as an architect of prosperity, weaving a narrative of success that spans over three decades. His journey, marked by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to bettering humanity, has propelled him to the helm of various enterprises, with a cumulative turnover exceeding $250 million across Asia and Africa.
In 1986, Kingsley’s quest for entrepreneurial freedom led him to Lagos, where he commenced his career in government before venturing into the realm of private enterprise. His inaugural foray, Harry Kings Investment Ltd., inaugurated in March 1991, marked the inception of an international trading company that traversed continents.
The Odyssey of Work
From trading goods internationally to establishing Harry Kings International Ltd. in Tokyo in 1993, Kingsley’s odyssey in the business world unfolded. His ventures extended to apparel imports, culminating in the creation of the HBK Fashion line in 2006, specializing in clubwear.
Beyond fashion, Kingsley delved into the entertainment industry, hospitality, and herbal medicine with the establishment of HBK Naturalist Ltd. in 2006. His entrepreneurial canvas expanded further into investment consulting, commercial real estate, oil and gas trading, and infrastructure development.
As we traverse the narrative of Kingsley Kobayashi’s extraordinary journey, it becomes evident that his legacy extends beyond financial triumphs. Rooted in a profound commitment to humanity, Kingsley Kobayashi’s ventures serve as a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship. As the Kobayashi Group envisions a future marked by innovation and impact, Kingsley’s wisdom resonates, inspiring budding entrepreneurs to forge their paths with resilience, strategic acumen, and a spirit of giving.
Early Life
Kingsley was born in Benin City, Nigeria, on Oct 11th, 1966, as Kingsley Ogbeiwi to Isaac Ogbeiwi and Agnes Ogbeiwi. He grew up with his father, who was a teacher. That exposed Kingsley to early learning and imbedded in him the discipline to study and absorb knowledge. He finished his primary, secondary, and college education in Bende State (now Edo State, Nigeria)
In 1986 he moved to Lagos and started to work for the Government before he set up on the entrepreneurial route. He founded his first company, Harry Kings Investment Ltd., in Lagos in March 1991. The company was trading goods internationally. Kingsley travelled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and in then in 1993, he moved to Japan. In 2004, Kingsley accepted Japanese nationality and changed his name to Kingsley Kobayashi.
Work-life
In March 1991, he founded his first company, Harry Kings Investment Ltd, in Lagos, Nigeria. Harry Kings Investment Ltd. was an International Trading Company, allowing Kingsley to travel to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan. He moved to Japan in 1993 and set up Harry Kings International Ltd in Tokyo.
Harry Kings International Japan was at first importing apparel from Korea and the United States to Japan. Later on, around 2006, he and his wife created the HBK Fashion line, focusing on clubwear. In 1997, Kingsley got involved in the Entertainment industry and hospitality. He expanded to Europe in 2004 with Harry Kings, operating Serviced Apartments in Prague, Czech Republic.
In 2006, he founded HBK Naturalist Ltd, which produces herbal medicine to aid many different ailments, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cleansing, and many more. Its flagship product, Kobayashi Bitters, has been helping people worldwide.
Kingsley is involved in investment consulting, commercial real estate in Japan and Nigeria, oil&gas trading between Japan, Nigeria, and Europe, construction of commercial buildings, and infrastructure and property development.
Since 2014, Kingsley has been involved in Blockchain and Fintech and is a founder of FBC Japan.
FBC Japan is one of the world’s leading blockchain fintech consulting firms with
$140m under advisory from more than 6,400 clients in 82 countries. Moreover, they have experience raising over $200 million in investment. FBC Japan directs its clients through every step of their fintech journey, with their expertise in cryptocurrency investment, funding assistance, marketing and compliance, mining opportunities, and ICO / IEO / STO launches.
In March 2021, he founded Kobayashi Group Japan, an umbrella to all companies founded by him and his wife. In 2023 he also founded 147 Security Solutions Ltd in Nigeria, that started operation. Focusing on the private security sector. He established ARK Reform Ltd Japan, bilingual renovation company in Tokyo, that is serving both the Japanese and international community in the Kanto area of Japan.
Kingsley and his wife Blanka published a book, The Beginner’s Guide To Financial Freedom; the book has been now also translated to Japanese and is available on Amazon worldwide. Their second book, The Beginner’s Guide to Side Hustle, is coming out in November 2023. With these two books, the Kobayashi’s believe they
can help the less fortunate learn how to manage their finances, get out of debt and create some financial security for themselves and their families. The book is also very popular among the youth, as financial literacy is not often taught in schools. Yet, it is one of the essential knowledge the young generation can acquire. Kingsley regularly participates in conferences and panels as a speaker, sharing his expert knowledge with others. He believes that knowledge learned but not shared is knowledge wasted. He is a regular speaker on LAToken VCTV, a large international blockchain-fintech platform.
Charities
Kingsley strongly believes in sharing wealth and supporting those in need. He often says, “I learned to give not because I have too much, but because I know how it feels to have nothing.” He supports various charities worldwide, Run For The Cure, ShineOn! Kids, Second Harvest, and many more. Among his favorite is Modupe Cole School and Orphanage in Lagos, Nigeria. Helping those kids has been very rewarding, as the School and Orphanage houses over 400 children with combined disabilities. Kingsley also helped rebuild the maternity hospital in the village where he was born, believing in giving back and remembering our roots.
CORE BELIEFS
Kingsley believes in integrity, accountability, transparency, discipline, perseverance, respect, professionalism, sharing his wealth with those in need, hard work, and inspiring others to succeed in life.
Kingsley is highly spiritual, interested in Divine Inspiration; he believes in the Great Architect of the Universe. He believes in traditions, spiritual , connecting with oneself, and aligning oneself with the universe.
A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION (COMPANY/GROUP)
Kobayashi Group Japan serves as an umbrella for all companies founded by Kingsley Kobayashi and his family. It includes Harry Kings International Japan, FBC Japan, ARK Reform Japan, HBK Naturalist Nigeria, 147 Security Solutions Nigeria and KobaPay Africa, among others. All companies were founded to help solve problems of people around the world and serve the betterment of humanity.
WHY DID YOU VENTURE INTO PRIVATE BUSINESS?
I always wanted to work for myself, have freedom, choice and be my own boss. If you work for others, it is difficult to venture into other activities, start another business or travel to meetings on short notice. Even though I had a boss for some part of my business journey, I had freedom, as long as I delivered results.
CAN YOU TAKE US DOWN THE LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES YOU HAVE HAD AS AN ORGANIZATION OVER YEARS? AND HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM?
One of my first achievements would be establishing companies in Japan and in Europe. Even though my first company was established in Nigeria, I quickly realized I want to expand, and Japan was a growing market at the time, so it was a clear choice. It became also big challenge, with the language barrier, different business code and ethics, low minimal capital. So I started to study very hard, worked for many regular Japanese companies, to learn their ways and understand the business. At that time, it was very difficult to be accepted as a foreigner, so I had to work extra hard.
Another achievement would be setting up my security company in Nigeria, 147 Security Solutions. The challenge we are all facing in Nigeria is security, whether in our homes, offices or on the road. So I decided to contribute to the solution, by establishing security company, with VIP escort, proper training of personnel, I got a license to import body armor from reputable European company and plan to expand all over Nigeria. Of course, there are hurdles ahead, but we have an internationally experienced team as well as lecturers and coaches with decades of experience in security and protection.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE ORGANIZATION’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NIGERIAN/GLOBAL ECONOMY?
The biggest contribution anybody can have is putting food on people’s plates and roof over their head. Over the thirty years of my business career, I employed thousands of people from all over the world. We were always inclusive, never bothered by nationality, gender or belief, strictly focusing on people’s skills and abilities.
Our family and our companies are also big supporters of variety of charitable organizations. In Nigeria, we support the Modupe Cole School and Home for children with combined disabilities in Lagos. Worldwide, we support Refugee Empowerment International, helping refugees from many countries to lead an independent, normal life and supports projects that empower individuals and their communities. We also support Run for The Cure, charitable organization whose mission is to eradicate breast cancer in Japan, through education, timely screening and treatment. We also support various charitable causes, helping children achieve their goals, get better education. The best way to support any economy is by teaching the next generation about financial literacy. We wrote and published The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Freedom, in English and in Japanese, available on Amazon worldwide. The book helps people to learn about financial literacy, organize their life, their finances, invest, and live better lives. We also offer free seminars to schools around Japan, teaching their students about Financial Literacy.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BUDDING BUSINESS PEOPLE OR STRUGGLING ENTREPRENEURS?
Always plan well, strategize, and remember your basics. If you are struggling, go back to the drawing board and reevaluate. Be ready to adapt to new innovations and new ways of doing business. Have SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) and be accountable for your progress. Keep close watch on your business’ income and spending. And do not underestimate the power of good networking.
WHAT IS THE NEXT EXCITING PROJECT YOU ARE WORKING ON? Right now, we are working on launching KobaPay in Nigeria, digital payment platform that will help small and medium businesses as well as citizens taking control of their payments. It is really exciting for me and our team, as Fintech and Blockchain has been my passion for almost a decade and I can see the potentials in it, how it can improve lives of our people. At the end of the day, creating any business isn’t about money for me, but helping to increase the quality of life of people around me.
The Architect’s Odyssey – Kingsley Kobayashi Unveiled
As we conclude this insightful exploration into the life and ventures of Kingsley Kobayashi, the architect of prosperity, the tapestry of his journey reveals a nuanced blend of resilience, innovation, and humanitarian values. From the corridors of international trade to the frontiers of Fintech and Blockchain, Kingsley’s odyssey stands as a testament to the transformative potential of entrepreneurship.
As he spearheads projects like KobaPay in Nigeria, a testament to his passion for Fintech and Blockchain, Kingsley remains committed to enhancing the quality of life for those around him. His philosophy, anchored in accountability, strategic planning, and networking, provides a compass for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the intricate terrain of business.
In the next decade, the Kobayashi Group envisions a pinnacle of success, and as Kingsley Kobayashi leads the charge, the world watches the unfolding chapters of an entrepreneur par excellence. To budding business minds and struggling visionaries, Kingsley offers a blueprint steeped in wisdom, urging them to plan meticulously, adapt to innovation, and prioritize financial literacy.
The legacy of Kingsley Kobayashi is not merely etched in profit margins but in the lives transformed, the communities uplifted, and the philanthropic endeavors that echo the sentiment, “I learned to give not because I have too much, but because I know how it feels to have nothing.” As the Kobayashi saga unfolds, it resonates as a symphony of entrepreneurship, spirituality, and unwavering commitment to building a better world.
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