When people think of a digital consultant or web developer, they often imagine a sleek office, a long list of clients, and projects rolling in. But my journey began far from that reality.
The Humble Beginning
I started with nothing but a second-hand laptop and borrowed Wi-Fi from a neighbor. No office, no team, and barely any capital. But I had one thing that many overlooked: an unshakable belief in growth.
The early months were a grind. I stayed up late designing websites for little to no pay, just to practice, learn, and stay relevant. Some clients ghosted me after asking for quotes, while others wanted full projects done for “exposure.” It was frustrating, and I doubted my decision to go solo.
The Power of Showing Up
But I persisted. I showed up on social media to share my work, attended free webinars and local meetups to learn, and pitched proposals even when I wasn’t sure they’d be read. Slowly, things began to shift.
Breaking Even Was the First Big Win
For a long time, I thought success meant six-figure earnings and premium clients. But my first real milestone was breaking even. That moment when my business finally covered my costs was huge. It meant my idea worked, and I’d found a way to trade value for income.
5 Key Lessons I Learned Along the Way
If you’re just starting your business or wondering when your first big win will come, here are the lessons that worked for me:
- Master One Skill and Own It: Don’t try to do everything. Become great at something people need. For me, it was web development and digital marketing.
- Start Where You Are — And Show It: People relate more to your process than your perfection. Share your behind-the-scenes journey, including failed projects, lessons learned, and tiny wins.
- Reputation is Currency: When starting out, your reputation is more valuable than your price tag. Underpromise and overdeliver. Your first clients are your first marketers.
- Network With Intent: Every connection matters. Build relationships, don’t just pitch your services. Real business comes from real people who believe in what you offer.
- Keep Learning. Keep Posting. Keep Building.: Consistency builds credibility that pays off in time. Even when no one’s watching, keep showing up.
Today, I Work With Brands I Once Admired
It took time, rejection, and persistence. But today, I consult for businesses I once only dreamed of working with when i was starting small. If you’re reading this wondering if your small start will ever amount to something big — it will. But first, just break even. Prove your idea. Build momentum. And then — scale with purpose.
Stay Connected
If this resonated with you, follow me on LinkedIn Edafe Great for more stories, strategies, and behind-the-scenes lessons from the world of web and digital.
