Adono, also known as Kong, has followed his passion for graphic design into the world of entrepreneurship, which has taken him on a 22 year long journey, which now affords him the opportunity to provide designs for various items to his clients, through his business, ‘Kong Art Creationz’.
While speaking with ANN Adono shared with us just how he got started in this field of business and what happened leading up to him embarking on this business venture.
‘I Worked at customs for a few years. While working customs I used to be doing my own work on my own time from home.
Always been drawing since I was a toddler. Always loved the art world from paintings to cartoons to anime to racing games.
As I got older I would be doing graphic designs for random clients across SVG, mostly tshirt designs, logos, posters, art, business cards, brochures.
While working customs, multigraphics which is now OSV saw one of my posters which I did for the first ever car show in SVG which was put on by Bishon Thomas. Whom I later did more work for like Club Fuzion branding and so much more.
Through seeing my work I was approached and hired to work with them. Meanwhile still growing my skills as a graphic artist b4 fully going 100% into my own business “Kong Art Creationz”’
According to Adono his decision to make the move to start a business of his own was influenced by his love for the field of graphic design. He credits his love for creation for plunging him into the world of entrepreneurship.
‘I decided to get into this business because it was what I was really passionate about. Everything I look at is different from everyone else. I even see lines of people, like I literally draw people as I watch them in my mind. I love creating something from nothing. I love hearing an idea and bringing it to reality is what I live for.i love seeing a client happy especially when I get what they want 100%. When all they told me was a few label words and the colors they wanted it to be, and whatever that design is to be I have definitely brought it forth. I live for being creative in Everything I do.’
Adono’s entrepreneurial journey has not been without its own fair share of challenges, from the sourcing of essential materials, to the high cost he has to pay import those materials, being his boss has not been a smooth ride.
‘I have faced many challenges. I would say a lot of it is not having the materials on the island. A Lot of companies still are not evolving with the times and one has to order the said materials all high can cause a delay on certain jobs. The mindset of certain jobs are limited because of the social mentality on the island when it comes to certain graphic designs. Another challenge is people looking to not pay you for a job or try to short pay you, especially because you’re not a big company, for example, Greaves, you can’t go tell graves I only going pay you 15$ for a 40$ product.
Exporting finished work is a very big problem in relation to the cost to export. Not every client is going to pay 2 or 3 times what they are paying an entrepreneur for. To have the finished product in hand. That’s if it’s an on hand product.
Digital is fine and they pay through western union. But again with the advancement of society it limits an entrepreneur on an island to receive payment. In terms of the fast phase payment method the foreign world uses like cash app etc or PayPal we can’t get paid straight like that here. So it becomes a deterrent for a lot of potential clients.’
However despite facing these challenges, Adono says he would change a thing about his foray into business so far, crediting the challenges for molding him into the businessman he is today.
On the topic of challenges, Adono stated that there is a type of challenge that he enjoys, creative challenges. He says that he enjoys deciphering requests from a client and bringing it to life.
‘I enjoy the creative challenges. When clients have an idea but don’t know how to explain it, I just listen to them talk about it and then create it. By the end of their convo I have the design concept.
The reaction from clients seeing the complete job. The shock The happiness The No regrets speeches.
Providing that quality service that gives that client their representative face to society that says it all about whatever they are bringing forth to the public. From logo, clothing design, Billboards, posters, business cards , signs, banners, vehicle graphics, craft, art and much more.’
Adono says he considers his 22 year long journey a success so far, due to the creations he has been able to work on, spanning different generations, as well as the doors he has been able to break down.
‘Yes I would say I’m successful so far. I would say I’m not where I started many years ago. I have grown a lot in communicating with clients. With my visual aspect of the work my passion has increased.
My business has Become a household name with the high and low of society.
I have created for many different generations. I have broken down many many doors of what was once deemed impossible in SVG.
I have gone from just drawing on paper to drawing digitally to creating event displays to industrial displays. The growth is in the work and it is still growing. True success never ends. It is an ongoing process because we are always learning everyday. It stops when you stop.’
Being able to take criticism, listen, and observe are some of the qualities that Adono believes are essential to anyone looking to become their own boss.
‘Being able to take criticism. Listen to understand clearly and not listen to react physically or verbally. To be inspirational to whomever may view their work or hear them speak. Be able to observe and understand what they see or hear. One that is innovative. Do not do something because tom n jerry doing it but to do it cause I am adding to it positively, to change the game so to speak.
An entrepreneur does not work for money but because they are passionate about it. Yes money is part of it as I need income to get materials to create etc but it’s not all of it. An entrepreneur can be making money but dying inside and eventually the business will die.’
In his advice to young people thinking of starting an entrepreneurial journey of their own, Adono had this to say.
‘Make sure it’s something you are really really passionate about. And not something to be popular or make a quick dollar. Make sure it’s something I will love and enjoy having fun doing. Do a business that makes a difference and builds the nation . A nation with 90 hairstylists and nothing else is a failing nation. Plumbers, electricians, painters, builders, artists,bakers, chefs, professors, nurses, carpenters, tailors all are examples of entrepreneurs that play a vital role in the blood that keep the heart of the nation going.
So make sure the business is One that adds and is not one that falls into the birds of a feather flocking together over and over.’
Adono has been in business for 22 years, but has been officially registered for 17 years. Anyone interested in any of the services provided by Kong Art Creationz can reach him on social media at @kong_art_creationz, or call at mobile number 784 526 6442, landline at 784 456 2841.
He is located at Sion Hill, Bay Hill Gap, Right After Wind Breeze Variety Store.
Services offered include:
Signs, banners, business cards, ID badges, photography, svg patriotic craft and wear, glass and metal tumbler engraving, vehicle graphics, tailoring, shoe customization, stickers, labels, posters, invitations, custom belt buckles, paper lamination, logo designs, hand drawn portraits, mug printing, plastic cup printing, volcanic ash dominoes and more.
They also offer delivery!