ANTHONY IFEANYI

INDUSTRIOUS! – Relationship > Profitability.

PREAMBLE

From a lineage of builders and architects, Anthony Ifeanyi at age 7 was already one at heart. Excellence and quality are principles at the core of his success. This architectural and business savant has successfully built a world-class brand of companies, (Matrix Commercial Inc (MCI), Matrix Fleet Services (MFS), Matrix Auto Inc (MAI) and Kaizer Anthony Inc, (KAI)) with over 250 employees in two continents earning him credibility and admiration among peers and industry elites.

Path To Success

From a newspaper and pizza delivery lad, to a salon mall pioneer, to owning investment properties around the world, Anthony’s achievements emanate from humility, hard work, nurturing relationships and intellectual curiosity. This business phenom stays a step ahead through his ingenuity. From Obsession, to Flavor and Envy salons, Anthony revolutionized the hair industry with each creation. In 1998, he began laying the vision and transition plan from salons to Matrix Construction Company. By 2001, he was building an impressive portfolio of clients such as Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Reliant Center, Radio Shack, Schlotzsky’s, Catherine Hospital, Quiznos, and CarMax.

The Turning Point

Success is rarely achieved without hurdles. Anthony faced a defining crisis that changed his business trajectory. CarMax awarded him a $4,000 spray-paint project which was completed with an unexpected twist. Paint particles from this job, traveled airborne damaging over 50 cars resulting in a $6,000 liability. Most young entrepreneurs would have abandoned the job and moved on. His resolve and integrity led him to accept responsibility, borrowed money and resolved the problem. In an attempt to get paid, he was mistakenly transferred to the Director of Facilities who asked him “What is your company’s specialty”? To which he replied “everything”. He was given a second chance and he turned a net $2,000 loss into a $10 million client. Today, MCI provides construction and facility maintenance to more than 250 retail buildings across 50 states.

THE “SEVEN” EXPERIENCE

As the most diverse city in the United States, Houston Texas boasts of an assortment of cuisines and restaurants. Anthony’s latest creation, SEVEN restaurant, is modeled after The Bagatelle in London or Sexy Fish Miami. This epicurean blend of Asian-Mediterranean cuisine offers patrons a posh atmosphere to wine, dine and party in the same space accompanied by the artistic scenery of drama, trumpet players, and aerialists. With a chef specially flown in from Istanbul to ensure the authenticity of its menu, SEVEN is an entertainment restaurant and a supper club that answers the question of what to do after 10pm on a date night. With SEVEN Houston up and running, Anthony has his eyes set on SEVEN Miami and Dubai. .

DIVERSIFICATION

Morphing Challenges to Opportunities

During the 2008 recession, Anthony decided to diversify his business portfolio. This led him back to Nigeria where he won contracts to power the Riverine Community with solar technology, participated as a defense contractor in the renovation of the 103rd Battalion and 82 Division in Enugu State and the construction of a Military academy in Ovim, Imo State. During COVID-19, while hotels and restaurants recorded losses, KAI his Hospitality and real-estate development company retrofitted and furnished his inventory homes to accommodate vacationers. This short-term stay alternative to hotels, tripled his revenues while giving families a 5-star living experience. His acquisition of a 10-acre ranch in Richmond Texas is slated to be transformed into a retreat for world leaders, companies, and private events. KAI has invested in vacation rentals in Houston, Miami, Nigeria, and is currently looking into properties in the Bahamas and Dubai. He also launched an Online Travel Agency, kabookings.com, to rival the likes of AIRBNB. As online shopping boomed during the lock down, Anthony realized opportunities within the logistic space and pursued contracts with the likes of Amazon by creating MFS and MAI.