I recall some gloomy moments growing up whenever I got hurt, I just pace all the way to my bedroom, stuff my head into the soft mattress and cry my heart out. After a while, I get up to look into the mirror and once seeing me felt good, I move on happy as ever. Life has never been easier!

These past few months, however, have been full of ups and downs, mostly downs. I started my personal entrepreneurial journey early this year and truly, I realized that life was not a bed of roses. After the compulsory year of national service, I started internship in an organization headed by a supposed mentor. Four months along the line, the payless painful job had almost drained all my willpower and shifted my focus; so after a lot of deliberation within and with some confidants, I decided to quit and work full-time on my fashion & style business – WearNigeria.

As challenging as it was to venture into the world of unknown, preparing hard to meet up with the opportunities that may come and finding people to guide me through this journey, it was even harder to convince people close to me that I made the right choice, especially my family.

The first time I told them I wanted to work full-time on my startup, they showed a good measure of disappointment and displeasure; probably because they knew I did not have much saved up and the financial burden may shift on to them once in a while. Though this was true, I had plans of my own on how to reduce expenses and generate some income as time elapsed.

However, instead of asking me what my plans were, they threw it all in the bin.

“Get a job in the meantime, even if it’s part-time, so you can sustain yourself”, they told me. “But I already have a job; it’s not just paying as much yet…” At that moment, almost everyone gave me their various expressions of sarcasm. I attempted to touch their soft spot, saying “all I need is your support, can you do that at least?”

That was the end of the story and we have probably repeated this series, too many times to count.

Many a time, I knew in my heart that the only supporter all through this entrepreneurial journey was God and though that was enough, it would have been soothing to know that people that mattered believed in me but when the case is otherwise, I just wish I could cry my heart out like I did as a child but tears have now evaded my eyes and the reason why this is, is beyond reasoning.

This is not to pull down my family in any way. They have been supportive all the way but now that I’m on the journey to building a legacy and contributing to national development, it will still be nice to have their support because this journey is very lonely.

Oh, I really wish I could cry right now!

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This entry was submitted as part of the Nigerian Voices competition organized by YNaija.com.

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