I have always known that I will own my own company. In September 2008 I started the Project People journey with nothing but £580 and a laptop computer. I was offered a desk at a family friend’s law office on Opebi Road and that was the only thing I got for free. I had a big dream. I was young and passionate. I believed I could take on the world and nothing could stop me. However, in less than a month, reality had hit. It became obvious that what I wanted to do will be pioneering and in many ways new to the environment I was in. At this point, my feasibility studies, market research and business plan became completely obsolete and irrelevant. Our bills were mounting. I didn’t have client retainerships and every textbook wisdom just wasn’t good enough.
13 years down the road, people see what we’ve accomplished and are filled with admiration. For this I’m eternally grateful to God. However, let me stress, it has not always been this good and I am not even close to the vision I had at the beginning. The journey has been everything but a walk in the park. I’ve been evicted from my office through a court order once. I’ve been betrayed by the closest people to me. A notorious staff once stole from me both intellectual properties and millions of naira. I’ve been lied on and I’ve had seasons when I couldn’t pay salaries. Once I’ve had to downsize from close to 40 staff members to just 8. I sold my car to pay our office rent, it was a BMW graduation gift from my Dad. I lost a precious staff in a motor accident while at work. I have seen it all. In the midst of this treacherous situations, I turned down inflated corruption ridden contracts from a state government. I was invited by my former employers in the UK to come take up well paying 9-5 job. That I turned down as well. The vision and the many people on staff that look up to me for strength and encouragement made me stay.
We went International and tried to take on new markets too soon. We formed partnerships in the UK, Ghana, Qatar and South Africa. The dollar was at N118 when we signed the agreements, but by the time it was due for us to redeem our commitments, dollar had jumped to N178. Tens of thousands of dollar was involved. We didn’t foresee it and we got neck deep in debt. I was depressed but I did one thing, I stuck with the plan. I renegotiated the contracts, some of the partners were furious. I lost some good relationships but still, I did what I had to do and stayed with the plan.
Process is tough. It prunes you. It tries your heart and checks your motives. It grinds you till there are no impurities left.
God’s presence is his promise, that presence doesn’t mean you get to skip steps.
A man can’t have a child in one month by making 9 women pregnant. Anything that will last and stand the test of time must go through the fiery fire of troubles and challenges. There is no free lunch in Freetown. Every glory must have a story of commitment and perseverance.
What do you do when you’re shaken to the core and your resolve is tested? What do you do after you have done all you know to do and followed all the rules and still don’t make the cut? What do you give after you’ve given your all and yet you fall miserably short?
YOU STICK WITH THE PLAN!!!
Always have the vision in front of you and you’ll be able to despise the shame and endure your cross.
We are not there yet but we’re on our way. Today is a million times better than yesterday but it is only so because I stayed with the plan.
We will have a million reason to quit but if we look inward, we’ll find a good enough reason to stay true to the course.
Faith is that strength, that secret weapon of the soul, which allows us to persevere even when facts seem damning and the truth unbearable.
How is your race? Are you tired, weak, worn out; discouraged or completely lost?
It’s true that life can be tough sometimes but surely we are never without help. You can finish your race, you can endure your cross and you can come out on top. The first step is acknowledging that QUITTING ON YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE IS NEVER AN OPTION. You can’t give up on your life. Our heavenly Father’s love secures us because he never leaves nor forsakes. Stay true to your calling!
I pray for you my friend, your journey will be easier this year and you will find peace in the places where you’ve been troubled.
If this has encouraged you, why don’t you share it with someone else and encourage them too.