Page 47 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 1

the business inside my room as I in Nigeria by the name Stephen regardless of the challenges.
couldn’t afford to pay for a shop or Akintayo. I applied immediately, So my determination is always
office space. though I didn’t have all the money. stronger than the urge to quit. I had
They designed a payment plan for challenges too while developing
What services were you offering? me. That training transformed both my skills as a bassist. I remember
At the time I could not offer many me and the business. After the many times sound engineers
services due to finance, I was only training I opened up a bulk SMS site would unplug my guitar claiming
able provide basic services such for my business and started social I was playing rubbish. I would
as typing, printing, photocopy media marketing. I applied all the even be asked to drop the guitar
and repair of computers. It was principles taught and Cititech because I wasn’t good enough. But
a serious struggle. Awareness Communication gained massive instead of quitting, it pushed me to
was very low and only friends and online recognition. I started learn more, oftentimes rehearsing
family were patronising me, just to getting calls from online clients overnight so as to improve my
encourage me. But I continued. I for services. I applied for more skills.
was broke, I had no sales, I went training the following year and
many days without food, as every in 2017 I applied for engineering What role does music have in your
little thing I earned kept going into training in Ikeja, in 2018 I applied line of business?
the business - yet I couldn’t see the for Google Digital training online Well presently I am a music
effect. course and got certified, I applied manager, I have over 5 music
for a degree course at National artistes I manage, among who
What kept you going? Open University, I’m in year 3 now... are Femi Omitiran and Ezekiel
Determination. I had so much I applied for mini importation Okesola among others.
belief in myself and in my business. training under Stephen Akintayo Music plays a huge role in my line
At some point, some of my friends and have started training people of business. Music taught me
saw the way I was struggling and now and in the same 2018 Cititech how to be persistent, patient and
advised that I should abandon the Communication’s first store was connect to my customers.
business for a while and look for a opened. Every year I make sure
job. But I knew the business was I keep adding to my knowledge So it’s a separate business from
my life and I wasn’t ready to quit. I base so as to keep being relevant Cititech?
kept holding on and then in 2013, in life. I also learned how to repair Its a subsidiary of Cititech.
God opened my eyes to see that laptops and phones. Blaze Music Management, Blaze
He had called me into the youth Records. We will be inaugurating it
ministry. He showed me, spoke You used to do bulk sms what officially this year.
to me, sent different men of God changed?
to confirm it... I remember on Yes. I always study trends. At a As a worshipper of Jesus doing
one occasion, a pastor sent me point there was an increase in sms business are there any spiritual
a message on Facebook, saying charges by the NUC and some principles you apply to your
“Yemi, I don’t really know you, but new laws came into effect which business and how do you provide
God asked me to tell you there is affected the speed of delivery of kingdom solutions to your
something He has called you to SMS. Most of my clients were not clients... Christian or not?
do, but you are running away from willing to pay the new prices and I Well. As an IT expert, one of
it. Just hear this, God said you will also could not guarantee customer the core values of my business
never be successful at anything satisfaction with the changes in I am so particular about and I
you do, until you do what God has service delivery quality. I had lots emphasize with all my
asked you to do.” of customers: hotels, churches, workers is integrity
So, in 2013, I told my senior pastor, businesses and individuals, but and diligence. If
Rev. Omojola, that I wanted to go to I had to shut it down. It’s not the I were to behave
a Bible School. He supported me only service I provide. as the people of
and gave me part of my tuition fee the world
for the Bible training. I finished and Yemi, you’re a tech guru and also a r e
started an interdenominational a gospel musician. What’s the
youth ministry The Royal Family, in connection?
2014. Passion. I have so much passion
for music. It’s one of the things
What turned things around for I love doing. I am always happy
you? doing music. I am always happy
Knowledge. In 2015 I discovered operating the computer. These
an influential digital marketer two are born out of passion