Meet a Helpful Human – Chika Ibeneme

Responsive, helpful, and dedicated in ways automation simply can’t be. We’re your team.

Each month, we recognize one of our Most Helpful Humans in Hosting®. 

Meet Chika Ibeneme

Chika Ibeneme is a self-described Third Culture Kid, having grown up in India before migrating to Trinidad and Tobago and settling in Jamaica. As a kid, Ibeneme had a strong interest in tech. So he repaired computers and built them from scratch with his friends. In 2017, Ibeneme completed a BS in Computer Science from Northern Caribbean University. 

Now, Ibeneme serves as Community Support for The Events Calendar, which is part of the Liquid Web Family of Brands, doing frontend web development on Shopify and WordPress, writing articles, and consulting. 

Why did you join Liquid Web?

I love the atmosphere and the people at Liquid Web. Everyone is kind and helpful. Generally speaking, there is an open-door policy where new ideas and opportunities are exchanged openly. There has never been a time when I requested help or guidance and didn't receive it.

What draws you to the Hosting Industry as a career?

Hosting allows me to network with clients and colleagues while creating superior customer experiences. Meeting new people has allowed me to expand my knowledge of WordPress. The more I learn, the better I'm able to recommend plugins and themes that best suit the needs of my clients. And it's so exciting to be part of Liquid Web’s Family of Brands which includes StellarWP, the new umbrella for WordPress software. 

What's your favorite part about the company culture at Liquid Web?

I can go to anyone for help with projects. And if someone can't assist me, they will always point me in the right direction. Two of my colleagues that have helped me immensely are Andras and Deblyn at The Events Calendar. Andras always has wonderful advice about customer care, and I can count on Deblyn to help me with more technical questions that customers may have. 

In your eyes, what's the difference between Liquid Web and other employers?

Liquid Web offers customers incredible attention to detail, and that same attention to detail is provided to employees. So, for example, if I'm ever logging a bug ticket and I need some extra help, I can be confident that someone will quickly step up to make sure the task is completed, thus ensuring our customers receive a superior product and service experience as well. It’s a win-win.

What is the biggest milestone you've accomplished?

Some of my most significant accomplishments include completing my Bachelor’s degree and competing in the Microsoft Hackathon Champion in 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago. 

A platform called Project Siena allowed you to create apps for Windows 8 without code. The Microsoft competition involved creating a fitness app for Android and Siena, and the team with the most points won. I led a team of four people to ace the challenge and received first place out of the universities in Trinidad and Tobago at that time.

I'm also proud of running my own business on Shopify, assisting clients with customizations. We're a small team and building at the moment.

Tell us about an amazing customer experience you have had at Liquid Web.

Finding ways to help customers build additional functionality is always fun. Once, a customer voiced concern about a particular feature that they couldn’t get working that was crucial for their site, so I scheduled a call with them. During the call, I proceeded to show them how the feature worked, and I could see their delight as they realized the potential this new functionality provided for their site. While this isn’t a rare occurrence in support, it never gets old. 

When a customer truly appreciates what I do for them, it makes my day that much better.

What is one thing you wish our customers knew about their hosting? 

I wish more people knew about and took advantage of the many helpful guides at The Events Calendar. For instance, this guide on how to get the most out of our products through plugin testing deeply examines testing compatibility issues to ensure your site is functioning correctly. Of course, Support Agents like myself are always here to help, but by empowering my clients, I can help them Power their Business Potential™. 

Work aside, what are some of your hobbies?

I play guitar. I also love going on road trips, hanging out with friends, gaming, reading, and smelling new fragrances.

What is your favorite tv show? 

My favorite shows are Everybody Hates Chris and The Big Bang Theory. I love watching comedies. They help me wind down after a busy day.

If you could have dinner with one famous person [dead or alive] who would it be? 

I'd love to meet Linus and Luke from Linus Tech Tips. They review tech on YouTube and attempt crazy PC builds. Another person I’d like to have dinner with is Brad Traversy of Traversy Media, one of the best YouTube coding instructors today. 

You can follow Chika Ibeneme on LinkedIn. Chika has also written several expert articles that you can read now.

We hope you enjoyed our series, and stay tuned for the next Helpful Human profile.