Blog

Akeem Philbert has come a long way from the boy with the thick plastic framed glasses. Since graduating with his Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, he has travelled the world, working on award-winning projects for major brands like Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Bobby Flay, Umbro, 2K games and many more. On his return to Trinidad, he started Wepala (Our Shop), a branch of his technology solutions company and recently founded The Innovation Centre and We Books TT. This is what the businessman and robotics coach told MENtions about his journey from Maloney Gardens and why he is committed to showing that we can make the next Google or the next Facebook right here in the Caribbean:

–

“Is that Steve Urkel?”

I spent the first thirteen years of my life in Maloney Gardens where I lived with my mother, father and sister. As a child and teen, I wore plastic frame glasses which were similar to those worn by the main character on the 90s popular show, Family Matters.  It didn’t help that there were other striking similarities between me and Steve Urkel. You can just imagine how much fun that was right?! You’d think because of my Urkel-like appearance, I would have been bullied a lot, but I was sharp, observant, and had a quick wit; some traits that serve me well to this day. I still wear glasses today but since Family Matters isn’t shown on TV anymore, the similarity isn’t as obvious.

In school, I did well academically. When not in school, I could be found reading or indoors, as my mother rarely allowed us to go outside because of her concerns for our safety. During the school vacation, however, my sister and I were sent to my grandmother’s house in Mayaro. That was an amazing experience: I’d pitch marbles, ride bicycles, and climb trees.

“I had to re-assess who I was and how I saw myself”

After giving up the opportunity to do the Common Entrance exam at ten years old, I did it the following year and passed for my first choice – Queen’s Royal College (QRC). At QRC, I realized I wasn’t “bright,” like everyone said I was. I had average intelligence and looking back, I don’t think that I did exceptionally well in the subjects I liked. In my seven years there, I also became acutely aware that I didn’t have the same resources as some of my peers. Coming from certain communities deemed as “high risk” or “disadvantaged” oftentimes poses challenges for students, in addition to the typical teenage/peer challenges. My experiences forced me to reassess who I was and how I saw myself. But, the great thing about attending QRC was that the student body comprised young men from all ‘walks of life’. The faculty was also very outstanding and socially aware so they were able to make the experience a positive one for everyone.

Living in a community like Maloney, also posed additional challenges, but these were not insurmountable. You see, there are more things under your locus of control than you realize and if you focus on what you can control and keep your eye on the prize, you can achieve great things.

“Technology is a fantastic vehicle for innovation”

In 1998, my mother took advantage of the 0% interest Government loan and purchased our first computer. That is where my fascination with computers began. A couple years later, she enrolled me in a computer course during the August vacation to build and repair computers. I was very resourceful in gaining unlimited internet access from QRC, and I would spend hours trying to figure out how else I can use the device to learn. What I liked about computers is that you get what you put in. I knew that if I worked hard, I could build great things. Technology therefore amplifies your efforts and is a fantastic vehicle for innovation. Even with my love for computers, I didn’t study Information Technology in secondary school. I chose instead to do an ‘exciting’ mix of math, language, science, and business subjects.

“Stoop to conquer”

After QRC, I did SATs.  I had to score 1400 to be able to qualify for a scholarship at a top university. I fell short of the mark and scored 1300 so I had to adjust my desires and search for schools that would offer scholarships for students with my score. I knew that if I wanted to pursue my dream to attend college on scholarship in the US, I had to stoop to conquer. Sometimes you just have to compromise and that’s okay, once you remain focused on what you’re trying to achieve.  The US college experience was a great one for me and I went on to complete a degree in Information Systems, which I was able to finish in two years vs the standard four years.

“It’s what we’ve been able to accomplish in T&T that I am most proud of”

Since graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, I travelled the world working on award-winning projects for major brands like Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Bobby Flay, Umbro, 2K games and many more. I also launched a technology solutions company, Wepala (Our Shop) where we recruit programmers through The University of the West Indies and work with a range of clients, including a US Fintech. This gives us an opportunity to be a part of defining the future of e-commerce.

While I’m proud of the things that we’ve been able to achieve as a company through our international relationships, I’m proudest of what we’ve been able to accomplish in Trinidad and Tobago. A few years ago, my wife and I coached our son’s robotics team which went on to win the first National First Lego League Competition. We represented Trinidad and Tobago at the World Lego League Festival in the US where the team won an award in Trinidad and Tobago’s first appearance at the competition.

Seeing how far a few resources (and a lot of hard work) can go, we started The Innovation Centre to provide more young students with an opportunity to learn about robotics and Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM). Education continues to be a passion for everyone at Wepala, so in addition to The Innovation Centre, we recently formed WeBooksTT, where parents can buy books online. Through this enterprise, we are able to work with our partners to provide book grants. At present, we are currently working on a tutoring service where parents can find tutors online. I’m excited to continue to contribute to make Trinidad and Tobago a better place for all of us, and I am committed to showing that we can make the next Google, the next Facebook right here in the Caribbean.

“Seeing people like you succeed, makes it easier to envision your own success”

I appreciate the guidance I received from peers, teachers, and college professors over the years. I learn best by observing (and not necessarily by being taught) so I am grateful for the opportunity to see a different way of life, which goes a long way towards achieving it. Seeing people like you succeed, makes it easier to envision your own success. I hope to be that for my children and others who may lack encouragement or drive.

My mother Denise Philbert has been my most significant source of inspiration. She has been my biggest cheerleader and has always given me the space to make my own decisions. Being an entrepreneur is fraught with risk and uncertainty; highs and lows but the support of my wife, Oleta and friends like Francis Chow and Lynissa Jordan, has been indispensable. Wepala would not be where it is today without the contribution of all these people.

“Selecting a career is your choice”

To the young people faced with the task of choosing a career right now, remember that selecting a career is your choice and you need to be happy with what you decide. If you feel like you are going down a path that you’re not happy with, it’s okay to make changes along the way. When I was younger, I wanted to be a petroleum engineer but I did terribly in Chemistry in form 4 so I switched Chemistry for Social Studies. I thought I wanted to be a Game Developer after college but struggled to make a simple Sudoku game for a client so I stuck to making video game websites. It’s okay to try and fail but it’s important to let what you learn, guide your future decisions.

–

In addition to being CEO of Wepala, Akeem, now 35 years old, sits as a technical advisor on an international committee next to giants like Visa, Mastercard and American Express. This committee dictates the future technologies of payment systems both cards technology and online payment systems.