Savvy & Sexy Nnamdi Osuagwu

Get ‘Em Girls are ambitious, confident, beautiful women. Whether they’re building a career, shopping for the latest styles, or embarking on a new relationship, these determined women won’t stop until they get what they want, especially their men. So just what type of man does a Get ‘Em Girl want? Perhaps someone with the same drive that motivates and inspires everyone around them. Meet Nnamdi Osuagwu, a true Get ‘Em Guy.

Thirty-one-year-old writer, real estate developer, business consultant and CEO Nnamdi Osuagwu is convinced of one thing: “Words are defined, not people.” With the release of his self-published book, Ice Cream Melts and his emerging real estate development firm, this multifaceted Brooklyn-bred entrepreneur is souring to new heights with a wingspan too wide to be pigeonholed.

Although born in the states, Osuagwu’s roots run deep in Nigeria. His parents emigrated from the West African country in 1966, during the Biafra War. During this period of economic, cultural, and religious discord, Osuagwu’s mother, a teacher, and his father, a diplomat lived in an urban area while many people fled to their villages as a result of mass murders. Osuagwu’s maternal grandfather was among the numerous fatalities. In the midst of anarchy, Osuagwu’s father got an assignment that temporarily relocated his family to New York. The first stop was Manhattan and Brooklyn soon followed. The youngest of four, Nnamdi Godson Osuagwu was born on December 31, 1976 and the rest is history.

First Impressions

Before he could tie his own shoelaces, Osuagwu was contemplating ways to fill his piggy bank. At the age of six, he was selling sodas at festivals. At eleven years old, he shoveled snow and washed cars. During his teenage years, he studied under his barber and gained a few clients. “Since I was young I was into entrepreneurship, having my own business and doing my own thing.”

Osuagwu attended Brooklyn Technical High school and majored in computer science. He continued his studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. After graduating in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science degree, Osuagwu continued to work for Temple helping senior citizens troubleshoot computers. But maneuvering the mouse and navigating the information highway wasn’t enough to tickle his ambitious appetite. Osuagwu moved on to work for a start up internet company and was able to save and buy real estate in his early twenties.

A Cloud of Smoke

Things were going well for Osuagwu. Unfortunately, just as success came, the young entrepreneur was faced with personal and professional challenges. The dot.com bubble burst in 2001 and Osuagwu was jobless and risked losing his home. Disappointed, but not defeated, he relocated to his mother’s house and rented out his property in Philadelphia. Eventually he landed a job on Wall Street and decided to stay in New York and save money. Although his career was back on track, Osuagwu was not content. “When you throw something in the air you eventually get what you want, but it might not be exactly how you pictured it. When I was 12, I saw the movie Wall Street. I wanted to be a mover and shaker closing deals on Wall Street. I ended up working on Wall Street but not on the trading side, more on the software development side. I get there. I’m financially good and thinking… wow! This is not the life I wanted.”

Huge Strides

On a quest for contentment, Osuagwu moved back to Philadelphia. He received his real estate license and became a real estate investment specialist. In 2004, he started a real estate development company with business partner, David Shanks. As the CEO and cofounder of Sensible Developments, LLC, Osuagwu provided turn key property investments. He and his partner would buy properties, fix them up, get them tenant occupied as well as property managed, and then sell them to working class professionals interested in owning real estate. With an eye towards redeveloping “at risk” neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, Osuagwu envisioned adding a rent-to-own program in the near future. “We want to increase home ownership in certain communities. We have invested in a few commercial spaces and we are trying to bring more black owned businesses into the neighborhood.”

As Osuagwu worked towards changing the face of the community, a new venture was brewing. Becoming thirty was a turning point in his life and he was determined to reach new goals. “You envision yourself at a certain point in life at thirty. I told myself, from now on, everything that I set out to do, I’m going to do. I’m going to grind the hardest I’ve ever grinded in my life.” As a result, Osuagwu produced “Ice Cream Melts” a self-published book of poems that he compiled over the years. “Ice Cream Melts” takes you on a journey through the minds of various individuals. Osuagwu became these people, pouring out their souls and the turmoil in their lives. He drew his inspirations from within and from around him. Conversations, observations, high points and low points in life helped to create the personas in his book. “I just got into a certain zone with this project and really wanted to play the devils advocate and talk from an alternate standpoint. At the end of the day everyone has a voice.” Osuagwu explains that the transition from life’s high points to low points is the melting process of ice cream. “We have happy times. We have great times. We have fun times. But sometimes things happen. Sometimes ice cream does melt.” Osuagwu is the founder of Ice Cream Melts, LLC, a publishing and production company committed to producing literary and film projects that delve into real life issues. He has also provided an on-line forum where people can share their “Ice Cream Melts” stories. So, what happens after your ice cream melts? According to Osuagwu, “You put a new batch in the freezer and keep it moving. Life is all about ups and downs.”

From Wall Street to South Street, this go-getter is closing deals left and right.

Will he ever take a minute to catch his breath? “Maturity has led me to believe that I can only have a certain amount of things on my plate at one point in time…when I was younger I thought I could do everything.” With all of his achievements and steadfast pursuits, it doesn’t look like Nnamdi Osuagwu has any intentions of slowing down anytime soon!

To learn more about Nnamdi Osuagwu or to purchase his book Ice Cream Melts, visit him at: www.icecreammelts.com or www.sensibledevelopments.com