Five years ago, my neighbor Tunde was like some individuals—working hard every day but not seeing the results he desired. He lived a few houses away from me in Mushin, Lagos, and ran a small kiosk on our street. He sold everything from recharge cards to biscuits and sachet water. Every morning, you’d hear him shouting, “Auntie! Uncle! Come buy something!” But even with all his effort, life wasn’t smiling at him.
I remember one particular night vividly. NEPA had taken light as usual, and we were both sitting outside, catching a breeze. Tunde looked drained, his generator whining in the background. He sighed and said, “Me, this hustle no dey show anything. I’m just turning in circles.”
I laughed, but deep down, I felt his pain. Many of us were in the same boat, struggling to make ends meet. But something changed in Tunde that night. He said, “I’m tired of just surviving. I want more. Give me five years, and I’ll change my story.”
At first, I thought it was just talk, but Tunde proved me wrong.
He started by educating himself. Every time I passed his kiosk, he’d have his phone propped up, watching YouTube videos about money, savings, and investment. “This internet no be for gossip alone, my guy,” he once told me. He also borrowed books on finance from a friend and joined free WhatsApp groups where people shared tips on managing money.
Through one of those groups, Tunde met Uncle Jide, a retired real estate investor. Uncle Jide became like a mentor to him, teaching him the principles of building wealth. “Tunde, nobody owes you anything in this life. If you want success, you have to work smart and think long-term,” he often said.
Tunde listened. He stopped spending money recklessly. No more spraying cash at owambes or buying new clothes just to impress people. Every kobo he earned went into a savings plan with one purpose—investment. I remember when he showed me his first investment—a small contribution to an agricultural crowdfunding platform. “This small seed go germinate,” he said with so much confidence.
But it wasn’t just about money. Tunde leveled up in every area of his life. He started jogging every morning and drinking more water. When I teased him about suddenly becoming “fit fam,” he laughed and said, “How I go enjoy wealth if I no fit climb staircase without panting?”
Another thing that amazed me was how he changed his circle of friends. Tunde stopped hanging out with the guys who only talked about football and started spending time with people who discussed ideas. “Your squad should push you up, not pull you down,” he always said.
By his third year, the results of his hustle started to show. Tunde added poultry farming to his kiosk business and began earning steady profits. He even started a small online side hustle, selling data subscriptions and helping people with social media promotions.
Now, fast forward five years, and Tunde is living proof that consistency pays. He owns three rental properties, runs a thriving poultry farm, and earns six figures monthly from his investments and side businesses. The same guy who once sat outside his kiosk lamenting life is now mentoring others in our community, encouraging them to believe in their dreams.
When I asked him how he did it, Tunde said, “Me, it’s simple. No matter how small you start, just start. Hustle with sense and believe in yourself. Na steady steps dey lead to big wins.”
So, if you’re reading this and wondering if you can change your story, take it from Tunde: “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.”
featured image by Loïc Manegarium
