14 months after my startup crashed because of the covid19 pandemic, I didn’t know where to pick up my life from.
Left in huge debt, depressed, and with no idea of how to pay off my debt, I decided to learn a digital skill.
I knew a couple of friends who are data Analysts, UX/UI designers, Writers, and what have you. And I know that if I could learn a high in demand digital skill, I’d be able to work a remote 9-5 or even freelance and gradually pay off my debt.
So while searching for the best digital skill that I’ll be able to transfer my entrepreneurial skills and experiences to and that’ll I enjoy working full-time, a thought struck!
“I realized that over the years, I’ve learned a lot of skills (by accident so to say) and one of them is website designing.
I remembered that I had helped a couple of family and friends design websites and Ecom stores for free using WordPress, Elementor, and Wix.
This became the turning point for me.
I decided to venture into web designing and see if it’s something I’ll enjoy doing.
I began researching how I could start charging for this service and before long, I got my first client. A kind Nigerian man based in Philadelphia, USA. What do you call a client that gives you a nice tip for a job well done? Kind of course!
I approached him on Linkedin to ask him to design his website and put some professional structure in place for him – thanks to all the things I know about digital marketing.
He declined at first but surprisingly reached out after a few days asking to speak with me.
According to him, he liked how I didn’t just pitch my services to him but took my time to understand his business and spot areas he needed help with.
Long story short, I charged him N100,000 ($150) to design a portfolio website.
Then I got my second and third clients and finally decided to give website designing all of me. Aside from the money motivation, I found that I enjoy sitting at the computer working all day.
But then, I soon realized that there’s little customization I could do with drag-and-drop plugins like Elementor.
I decided to learn to code so there’ll be no limit to what I can create.
I checked a few coding Bootcamps out there but the structure wasn’t fine by me and so I decided to go the self-taught route. Since I’m already used to learning stuff on my own, I feel I can as well teach myself how to code. And I’ve decided to spend the next 8 months teaching myself how to code. I plan to spend 5-8hrs every day.
WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG
If you’re wondering why I’m sharing my story and what I plan to write going forward, I’ll tell you.
I shared my story so y’all will get an idea of where I’m coming from so anything else I write will make sense.
and I started writing for three reasons.
1. To document the process –
Writing has a way of helping me learn deeper
2. To encourage those who want to go the self-taught route to go for it.
3. To encourage women to get into tech. Yeah, this will be the goal eventually.
So basically, this is going to be a lifestyle blog.
I plan to post every week about what I’m learning and the strategies I’m using to stay focused and manage my time.
WHO ARE MY TARGET AUDIENCE?
I understand it’s not everyone that my posts will make sense to and so I’ve made a list of people I think it
1. Women that are interested in tech
2. Those considering teaching themselves to code
3. Anyone who’s interested in following my journey.
I end by saying, I’ll work hard, hope and pray that I achieve everything I’ve set out to do and that in a few years from now, I’ll look back and thank God that I started today.