Olaniyi Musediq

So, I had a second meeting with the Upwork President 😎

It was yet another dream come true when I met with Hayden Brown, the CEO of one of TIME's 100 most influential companies, to continue our last discussion 😊.

This time, I told the story of how I started my freelance journey without a laptop because I couldn’t afford one and how far I’ve come today. All thanks to Upwork.

I started with a 1Gb android phone. If you’ve used such a device before, you’d understand how challenging it is to juggle between your browser and ms word. Sometimes, my 1Gb phone would hang, forcing me to wait a couple of minutes before proceeding with the content. Another time, I’d lose the content and start all over.

It was a challenging period, but I’m glad I didn’t give up.

This is a story of passion, resilience, and determination, and I want it to be an inspiration to others. Thus, my discussion with Hayden Brown was recorded, and the video will be shared here soon.

After this inspiring and insightful meeting, I thought about how there are still benevolent leaders like Hayden Brown in the world, people who care so much about humanity. I knew this is yet another role model to look up to. No wonder Upwork is a leading #freelance platform today.

And to you my friend, the world is waiting to hear your beautiful story; pick up a pen, and begin to write because your destiny is in your hand. Some day, your story may inspire others too.

Get up, and put in the kinetics!

Visa Denied ☺️🇺🇸


I was set to visit the US for three weeks in August/September, graciously invited by Upwork's President, Hayden Brown. The mission? A face-to-face collaboration to explore how Upwork can amplify its impact, creating substantial economic opportunities in Africa and uplifting lives along the way.

My journey commenced with the quest to secure an embassy interview date in Lagos. I spent two tireless months burning the midnight oil, hunting for an available slot.

Then, against all odds, it happened! I triumphantly secured a date, even if it meant waiting a tantalizing 10 months. The awaited day dawned, but in a fleeting 60 seconds during the interview, my hopes were momentarily eclipsed. Visa denied, partly due to a lack of travel history! ☺️



This setback weighed because, with this visit and collaboration, I carried the hopes and dreams of many Africans, especially freelancers and aspiring talents.

I imagined being a source of inspiration for individuals to pursue their dreams, witnessing someone like me who rose from the swamp to the mountaintop. The young man who couldn't afford a laptop in 2020 to support his content writing career, now travelling the world and meeting the CEO of one of Time's 100 most influential companies. ✈️😊

As a distinguished Top Rated Content Writer and Editor, proudly representing the top 10% of talent on Upwork, it was an esteemed privilege to be personally invited by the CEO herself. Leaders like Hayden Brown epitomize the driving force behind Upwork's global freelancing dominance. I deeply appreciate her dynamic leadership and her team's unwavering commitment to championing the growth of African freelancers.



While our meeting didn't materialize this time, I remain hopeful that our paths will cross soon. Setbacks are not rigid walls but stepping stones for growth. They make our stories worth telling.

You must have read many success stories on LinkedIn, it's also important you read the backstory sometimes. Success isn't handed on a silver platter. It's often a product of toil, sweat, and rejections.

But rejection is not denial, and for me, this journey is far from over.

HOW I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOUSE

May 2021, I decided to finally leave my parent’s house. So, I set out to rent an apartment in a new neighborhood in Lagos.

After seeing my choice of apartment, I informed the agent I’d be coming to pay the following week. However, on my way home, I began to meditate, weighing the pros and cons of renting an apartment with such a large amount. Did I find a new job in this neighborhood? Of what value is it to me? Is renting such an apartment a liability or investment for me? I realized it’s the latter.

So, I picked up my phone and checked a house video I had saved online a few weeks before. After watching the 30 seconds video, I admired the house and told myself with a firm conviction; “I’ll build this house.“ At that point, I had less than $1000 to my name, but I said I’d build a house.

Little did I know that the creator of the universe was listening. Little do I know, I’ve challenged my brain on the spot to think of ways to make this work. I returned home that night, sitting with a pen and paper. I analyzed how much it’ll cost to build such a house and said once again; I’ll build this house in six months. Again, I didn’t have the money for interior decor, talkless land or bricks.

However, there’s one thing about me, whatever I set my mind on, I’ll go all in, ensuring it is achieved. I erased any plan B option because it could have distracted my plan A. Thus, no rental option.

From that night onward, I tripled my efforts. I stay long at night to bid for new content creation and digital marketing jobs on Upwork. I’d set the alarm to wake every two hours to check if there were new jobs to bid on or if I had new messages from prospective clients before they settled for other freelancers.

Eventually, I got more jobs, delivered excellently, and got the money to purchase land and start building. Although I didn’t beat my six months target, in less than ten months, I constructed not one but three flats, better than what I saw in the video.

What do I want you to learn here, my friend? Don’t you ever say negative things to yourself. Be positive because the creator of the universe is listening. If I had doubted my abilities, perhaps because I’m young, and said I can’t, instead of “how can I,” I’d have shut my inner voice and won’t be celebrating owning a landed property today.

Who could have believed that the young man who couldn’t afford a laptop two years ago is here celebrating his first landed property today.

My friend, are you still doubting your abilities?