Hi, I am Daps.

Writing my story is one heck of a job!

Because there is nothing special about me or my story – I’m a regular guy like any other person on the street.

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, that is if I was born with any spoon. I was born and raised up in an outskirt of town in Lagos, Nigeria. I never grew up to know my needs were being met nor did I have the luxury of a meal I wanted. I did not access the best education, all I have ever had was my life, and a clean canvas life gave me to dream and aspire for greatness.

I struggled as a child. I watched my parent laboured in penury to ensure we had food and a place even if not cosy to lay our heads at night.

Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. —Dale Carnegie

I thought life was going to be very fast for me, I believed in my several abilities – but it was different. I graduated from secondary school at age 16, upon leaving school I believed I was going to get admission into the university immediately – it just never happened.

Severally, I had reasons to hulk on the streets as a young boy, we would sell any available fruits from my dad’s little garden in other to avoid waste and above all to get some money in return. As a kid, I never saw too much of a big deal in it, my elder brother will get ashamed to do this – for me, I did it with Joy. Things were difficult around and about me, but buried within me was a huge quest for life.

The Nigerian factor played its role and got a bit of me.

Just when I was writing my WASCE exams, I was set to leave secondary school and all that was on my mind was to get admission. I trusted I had a father, who would help me with the lobby I need to make sure I secure an admission. Then life threw a hit at me – I lost my dad. I learnt my first notable lesson in life – NEVER PUT YOUR HOPE IN A MAN. A lesson I would never forget until I drop my last breath.

I thought I was going to graduate from college (University) at age 20, get a good job – love a woman and marry her by age 25, build a cosy life around myself and be fine. Those became mere fantasies – even though they were very real to me at some point.

At age 25 I was still an undergraduate trying to get a degree – guess I was crushed by life! Life was slower for me.

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. — Winston Churchill

I watched many of my folks run ahead of me – Facebook did a good job demoralizing me at the time, it portrayed me as a failure. That feeling when you log in and all you see is pictures of friends posting their success, some studying in the choicest university of their choice in Europe, another graduated, some others sending their wedding invitations and so many others achieving a lot out of life. It seems as if I was on the wrong side of life. Moment of frustrations and perplexity I must confess.

Before this story gets too long and unacceptably boring, I’ll need to make it shorter and wrap it up. The intention is never to bore you.

Upon leaving the university – well, I did not have to stay at home for many years like the typical case of so many people out there in search of a job. Connections got me one – even though it was not what I wanted, the pay was not even something to be proud of. I got something like the initial Joy. I just couldn’t wait to catch up on the time I lost.

If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. — Steve Jobs

The story changed over time…

Instead of being happy, I was more frustrated…

I wanted more…

I wanted more than the salary…

There was no joy at work…

I felt empty…

These feelings were not my exclusive reserve when I spoke with colleagues and friends – for so many, it was the same feeling. Perhaps my dear reader too can identify with this feeling.

Salaries couldn’t pay the bills!

When the alert drops by month-end, the money always comes finished due to accrued bills.

Immediately I knew if I continue on this path – life would be slow for me. I knew something was missing. I knew I had to do things differently to get a different result.