Life has been an interesting ride for me, a mix of good times, tough times, and everything in between. It’s the kind of story where you laugh, cry, and sometimes just sit back and ask, “Why me?” But every part of it has shaped who I am today and led to the birth of GoodDeeds Network.
Hi there! My name is Joshua Omotayo, and here is my story.
Let’s start from the beginning. I was lucky to attend one of the biggest schools as a kid. Life was sweet. I wore nice uniforms, had fun friends, and felt like the future was bright. You know, the kind of life where you think, “Nothing can go wrong.”
But by the end of high school, things started to shift. My family faced challenges, and dreams of going straight to college? Well, let’s just say they stayed dreams for a while.
Thrown Into the Deep End
At 16, I had to start working. My dad’s words still echo in my head: “He that will not work, should not eat.” So, off I went to my first job as a factory worker in a company that made tissue and serviette paper. Now, let me tell you—factory work is no joke. The heat, the noise, the smell—it was like stepping into another world.
But you know what? I was earning ₦7,920 a month, and for a 16-year-old, that felt like a jackpot. I could buy snacks, recharge my phone, and even treat myself once in a while. My boss was great—he inspired me a lot. But the hard part? I started dealing with things alone. At 16, I was already learning that life doesn’t hand you a manual—you figure it out as you go.
Now, let’s add a little spice—relationships. At 17, I had my first girlfriend. Was she the prettiest girl I’d ever seen? Maybe not, but she was beautiful to me. I’d had a few crushes before her, but this was my first real shot at love. Life felt good—I was working, earning money, and dating a pretty girl.
But, let’s be real. At that age, did I really know what love was? Probably not. But hey, we all learn as we go, right?
Leveling Up at the Hotel
In 2018, my factory job wasn’t paying enough anymore. My dad got me another job, this time at a hotel. I worked in room service, helping guests with their luggage and making sure everything was perfect for them.
Here’s the fun part. I went from earning ₦7,920 to ₦20,000 a month. Plus, tips! Oh, the tips. I was making extra cash, and it felt like I was on top of the world. I even had a favorite customer, Mr. Edward, who gave me gifts and money like I was his nephew.
But life isn’t all roses. One day, a guest reported missing jewelry, and somehow, I was dragged into the mess. I wasn’t even at work that day, but my supervisor accused me of hiding it. She said, “You always get gifts and money, maybe that’s what you do.” Ouch. Those words hurt more than I can explain.
That was the day I decided: “No more. I’m done working for people. I want to build something for myself.”
The Tricycle Hustle
By December 2018, I had quit my job. By January 2019, I was deep in research mode, trying to figure out what I could do to survive. Life was hard—my savings were running out, and my relationship was falling apart.
By June 2019, I decided to go into transportation. I leased a tricycle (keke) and started driving. Was it easy? No. My first week, I had an accident. I was also extorted by LASTMA officials who later became my friends (yes, that’s how life works in Lagos).
I played music and motivational speeches by Steve Harvey to keep myself going. Some days were good, but others were full of frustration, anger, and even tears. By late 2019, my relationship ended completely. We just had different dreams, and that’s okay.
By the end of 2020, I had paid off the tricycle—₦1.1 million in total. I thought life would finally get easy. I thought I’d start making serious money and living my best life. But guess what? I got too comfortable. I stopped hustling as hard as I used to, wasted time at pointless meetings, and didn’t save enough.
I learned something important: having a vision isn’t enough. You need the discipline to back it up.
The Birth of GoodDeeds Network
Life has a way of teaching us through the highs and lows, the laughter and tears. For me, working in a factory, facing accusations at the hotel, and hustling as a tricycle driver were more than just experiences—they were lessons in resilience, empathy, and growth.
These moments shaped me, showing me the value of kindness and the power of hope. They planted the seed for GoodDeeds Network, a platform that stands for second chances, meaningful connections, and the belief that no matter how hard life gets, there’s always room for kindness.
But this is just the beginning. There’s so much more to share about this journey, and that’s in Part 2. Stay tuned.
This is just Part 1 of my story. There’s so much more to share, but for now, I hope this inspires you to keep going, no matter where you are in life.