Ladies of hive community contest # 264: Stepping Up For Myself And My Dad.

What’s One Big Decision You Made Recently That Changed Your Life?

Source

One big decision I made recently was to become financially independent, and it has completely changed the way I see myself and my future.

I am 21, and for most of my life, I depended on my dad for almost everything. Losing my mom when I was much younger meant he carried both roles; emotionally, financially, and in every other way. He has been my backbone, my support system, and my provider. But when I entered my second year in the university, something in me shifted. I realised it was time to step up and ease the weight on his shoulders.

Luckily, the small sales I used to make for my dad back in the days exposed me to a lot of people who later became loyal customers. So instead of starting from nothing, I already had a foundation waiting for me. I decided to build on it.

I started with just ₦5,000, a birthday surprise gift from a friend. With that money, I ordered coconuts. While waiting for them to arrive, I reached out to my old customers and asked them to start placing orders ahead of time so I could deliver quickly once the batch arrived.

It wasn’t a business that disturbed my studies. I scheduled everything for the evenings, going around to supply coconuts to those who had ordered. Slowly, I became more confident. I learned how to communicate better, manage money, and show up for myself consistently.

Now my business has grown beyond what I imagined. I’m able to support myself in school, take care of my needs without constantly running to my dad, and even save a little. But the biggest change is inside me; I feel responsible, empowered, and proud that I took that step when it mattered.

That single decision to become financially independent didn’t just change my life; it changed me.

Thanks for reading
@ritaetim