Nigerian-born entrepreneur and global brand strategist, Abdul-Qawiyy Hammed
Nigerian-born entrepreneur and global brand strategist, Abdul-Qawiyy Hammed, has emerged as the founder of ThePhnyxWatches, one of the fastest-growing luxury men’s watch brands in the world, with over 565,000 customers currently on its waitlist.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Hammed was raised by a high school teacher and a university lecturer. After his parents divorced when he was eight, he took on the role of supporting his mother and younger sister. At the age of 11, he began selling airtime with just ₦2,000. By the time he was 13, he had saved ₦40,000, which he invested into his mother’s clothing business — a move that would unknowingly kickstart his journey as a serial entrepreneur.
His major breakthrough came at 19 when he made over $1 million in a single day through eCommerce. That success marked the beginning of a remarkable global trajectory. At 21, Hammed relocated to Dubai, where he now runs multiple ventures and provides strategic coaching to brand owners with businesses generating between $3 million and $10 million annually. Over the years, his strategies have helped turn several startups into eight-figure global brands.
Despite his rising profile, Hammed has faced several hurdles, including public criticism, industry gatekeeping, and the pressure of building an African-owned luxury brand in a highly competitive global market. Nevertheless, he has continued to push boundaries and establish a brand identity that resonates deeply with people who have overcome personal and financial struggles.
ThePhnyxWatches, now three years old, has gained popularity for its message of resilience. Named after the mythical phoenix, the brand is positioned as a reward for individuals who have survived some of life’s hardest battles and come out stronger. With rapid expansion underway across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Hammed has announced plans to open physical stores in cities like London, Paris, Monaco, and Geneva over the next five years.
Hammed attributes the growth of the business to the creation of the right company culture, as well as building a vision that employees and customers alike can connect with. He credits his success to his understanding of human behavior and the power of storytelling, which he has used to build a community around the brand.
He also stated that what makes ThePhnyxWatches unique is its symbolic nature as more than just a product, but as recognition of individual victory over adversity. He believes his personal persistence, his ability to understand what people want, and his strategy of hiring top performers and letting them thrive have all contributed to his continued success.
However, he notes that navigating the luxury watch industry has not been easy. He pointed out the difficulty in finding talent who understand horology, as well as the challenge of finding employees who are committed to the brand’s long-term vision. Despite these setbacks, Hammed remains confident in the brand’s future, setting a goal to ensure that at least one in every 1,000 successful people globally will own a piece from ThePhnyxWatches collection within the next three years.
Beyond business, Hammed is also active in advocacy, especially in the areas of mental health, breast cancer awareness, and access to education for underprivileged youth. After losing his mother to suicide in 2023 and his grandmother to breast cancer, he has dedicated a significant part of his platform to support these causes.
Although he is based in Dubai, Hammed continues to invest in Africa and mentor young Nigerian entrepreneurs.
His high-value consulting services, which attract clients from around the world, reflect his growing influence in global brand building. He continues to champion the message of personal responsibility, self-belief, and generational wealth creation as he inspires a new wave of African excellence on the world stage.
