It’s funny how life has a way of showing you that success doesn’t come with a blueprint. For me, success came with grit, hustle, and a ton of stubbornness. My journey started on the streets of Lagos as an Okada rider, weaving through chaotic traffic with just enough to eat at the end of the day. I didn’t have much back then, but I had a dream.
One day, after a particularly frustrating shift where I had to dodge potholes and deal with an impatient passenger, I looked up at the Lagos sky and thought, This can’t be it. The constant fear of being caught by the police, the stress, and the dangerous roads were slowly wearing me down. I knew I wanted something more, something bigger.
So, I started saving. Every small tip, every delivery, every fare went into a savings jar, all in the hopes of starting my own business. I wasn’t sure what kind of business yet, but I knew I had to take that step.
After a couple of months, I had enough to buy a second-hand bike. But instead of continuing as an Okada rider, I decided to pivot. I got into the delivery business, offering fast logistics services to small businesses in my area. At first, it was tough. The competition was fierce, and my delivery service was just another small fish in a sea of others. But I kept pushing, offering the best service I could. Word got around, and business began to grow.
With time, I expanded my fleet of motorcycles and cars, hired a small team, and started scaling. There were setbacks, of course: bike breakdowns, late payments, and even some seriously rude customers. But with each challenge, I learned. I developed a customer-first mentality and built relationships that lasted.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m the CEO of a successful logistics company in Lagos. We provide delivery services to businesses all over the city. We’ve expanded into new markets, and my employees now include people who, like me, came to Lagos looking for a better life.
Looking back, it feels surreal. But the hustle never stops. Now, I’m focused on expanding even further, exploring new ways to grow my business, and giving back to my community.
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