Navigating the Chapters of Challenge with Tele

Pursuing Passion and Purpose: Shola's Story of Faith and Enterprise

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Discover the fascinating journey of Shola Alabi, a former teacher turned successful travelpreneur. Her story is one of resilience and adaptability, as she navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to turn her passion for travel into a thriving business. Shola offers a masterclass in seizing new opportunities, balancing family life, and following divine guidance to find fulfillment and independence in her career. Whether you're looking to switch careers or rekindle a passion, Shola's experiences offer valuable insights into pursuing your dreams without hesitation.

Shola also shares her unexpected venture into network marketing, a field she once met with skepticism. Through education and personal growth, she transformed her perspective, eventually achieving a director role. Her narrative emphasizes the power of continuous learning and perseverance, even when faced with challenges like managing team dynamics and personal priorities. Shola highlights the importance of community and support, illustrating how surrounding oneself with a like-minded team can lead to collective success.

In addition to her business ventures, Shola discusses maintaining productivity and nurturing relationships. She shares practical strategies, such as using accountability partners and setting boundaries with social media, to enhance focus and achieve balance. Her insights into integrating faith and business underscore the role of personal beliefs in driving success and maintaining meaningful connections. Through her candid reflections and practical advice, Shola inspires listeners to align their professional pursuits with their personal values and build a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.

You can contact Shola here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shola-alabi-mta-17a71235

https://www.facebook.com/shola.alabi.169

https://www.facebook.com/Lady-Sholz-Digital-Place-222257563134207

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Speaker 2:

Hello, hello, and welcome to Navigating the Chapters of Challenge with Tele. Today I've got my friend in the house, Shola Alabi. She's an author, she's a business owner, she's a travelpreneur extraordinaire, she's a director. She's going to tell you a lot about herself and, yeah, I'm excited for today's episode. So I'm just going to ask Shola to quickly introduce herself and then we'll take it from there.

Speaker 1:

Thank you very much, sis, for having me on this evening. My name is Shola. As Tele has rightly said, I am a woman of many hats, but I'm just going to keep it brief tonight. I am a wife to one, a mum to two young adults. Professionally, I am a qualified teacher. I've been in the private tuition business for about two decades now, but in about 13 months ago I ventured into another business, which is in the travel industry, and I'm going to be talking a bit about that. Well, actually, not a bit. I'm going to be talking about that today because there are lessons that have been learned over the the year or the 13 months which I'd really want to share today. So I'd want to say thank you so much, Tele, for having me on okay, thank you, so so much.

Speaker 2:

so, as you've heard, she has many, many, many hats and, she wears it on her bright red hair, though you can't see it right now. But, yes, she is an inspiration to me. I mean, I've known her for a few years and she's a real inspiration. And she's going to tell us a story, really, about how she got to where she is today the trials, the tribulations and the victories on the way. So, Shola, over to you and we'll ask you questions wherever we feel like okay, thank you so much.

Speaker 1:

Actually, Tele and I go along well. We'll come a long way. I remember that Tele was the woman behind my first book. So, yeah, I am an author as well. I keep forgetting that. So, um, right in 2023, actually just after COVID, um I began to fill the need to do something different.

Speaker 1:

I'd been in the private tuition business for about two decades now, or just about 21 years, and that's all I've known. I'm a teacher, been in the teaching space for that long, worked with numerous children. I'm one who actually calls them my many children. I love children. So what happened was during COVID, we all went into lockdown and at that time, it was a test, because what we knew and we'd done for years everything more or less fell down flat. So we had to transition into the online world. A number of students did some didn't you know, but I'm grateful to God because He actually made all things work together for our good. So at that time, venturing into the online world, He opened my eyes into so many other opportunities, and travel was one of them. Okay, yeah.

Speaker 2:

So along the way, I'm sure you must have had some ups and downs. So how did you navigate the difficult situations, especially with COVID? How did you? What made you say, okay, you know what, let me look into something else. Why did you take that step to look into something else online?

Speaker 1:

I mean we were all indoors, I mean we couldn't go out. So I guess, during the times, I mean it was a situation of getting up in the morning, jumping online, doing some sessions, going back, having something to eat, going back online and in those times in between, you know, just began to look at opportunities and I noticed that there were a lot of things going on. I mean I dabbled into quite a few of them. Some did work, some did not, um, but um, like you know, the Bible says that you try so many ventures, Ecclesiastes. I mean I can't remember the chapter, I think about chapter 12 where it talks about you venture into so many things. You don't know which one will you know. So that was the story.

Speaker 1:

But what I know then was God was always leading, you know. I mean there are times, I mean I wouldn't say that, you know, every opportunity was kind of, you know, prayed and fasted and all of that, but I kept being drawn back onto the online space. You know I had opportunities with clients out of the country. I mean it opened up another channel within the tuition business which was good, you know, and which I never thought would be well, would have been available, you know, or something that we could do. So through it all, it was just a leading, you know. I mean, I didn't realize then that it was God, you know, but I just felt there was more there was something out there.

Speaker 1:

You know, there was something. You know, I try things and for a short while I'm not, I don't feel that fulfillment. You know, know, but when I started this business, I mean I had the intention to do some more travel when my younger, you know, I mean he's going to be 20 this month.

Speaker 2:

Oh, my goodness, where does the time go? I know.

Speaker 1:

And I wanted to do something that would keep me, you know, going and I'd always say this, you know, just not getting into mischief. I didn't want to be on my husband's head all the time. So I thought I needed to do something, you know. So travel was on the cards. It was one of the things that I thought I would do. But then I thought about how do I fund this passion? You know, I needed to fund the passion and at that time one of my previous clients, Natalie you know a shout out to Natalie she just sent me a random text and I'm thinking, Lord, why is she sending me a text at this time?

Speaker 1:

You know, September is my birth month, so I'd normally take time out. My new year starts in September, so I'll take time out just to kind of carve out, pray. You know the plans, you know. I mean the Bible says you should commit your plans to god and you will establish your steps. So I'd normally do that. So it was in October. Just after that, I got that text and I'm thinking, Lord, what are you saying?

Speaker 2:

you know.

Speaker 1:

So I decided, okay, I'll find out about this, jumped on the call and all throughout that night I was just saying, you know. I mean I was waking up and saying to my husband oh, it costs, you know. I was just going on and on and on about it and I thought, yeah, I would give it a year. You know, counting the cost, put pen to paper and just decided to go for it and within those 12 months, oh, my goodness God has been so good before we get to that part, I want to ask you a question.

Speaker 2:

So what was your biggest? You said you tried a few things, here and there, some worked, some didn't. What was your biggest business failure and how did you turn that around or how did that affect you?

Speaker 1:

okay, there was an eventual that I I decided to go into , this was also an online business and it cost them a name and a leg. You know, I'm not going to say how much it did cost, you know on on here but, it was a venture that you'd had to, you know, get money. So ventured into it and thought, okay, within of course the same period of time a year that I would be able to have turned that money over and get back to where we were, but it just didn't move.

Speaker 1:

It was to do with social media marketing okay you know, tried, did all the ads, it just didn't, it didn't, it didn't, it didn't go according to plan. So it got to a point. I just thought you know what I'm not going to. I'm not going to. I mean, the business is still there, you know, but I'm not going to expend a lot of energy paying more on ads, you know, and keep, you know, adding on the money. So I just left it, you know.

Speaker 1:

So that for me was and this happened just after COVID- you know, just after COVID and my husband was well, which was why, when I told him about this, the first question he asked me how much would it cost?

Speaker 2:

I don't blame you. I can tell you that my husband has been through the same thing, because I started one venture after the other after the other, but I mean you just have to try, I think. I think you just have to keep going I.

Speaker 1:

I actually believe that if you don't venture , nothing, ventured, nothing gained. If you don't step out, you wouldn't know at the end of the day. I mean, I can sit here and say that now, but maybe about five years ago, Covid was in 2020, maybe about five years ago, I would not say that you know, because I was where I was.

Speaker 1:

That's what I've known for years. You know because I was where I was. That's what I've known for years. You know, and, yeah, there was, there was no opportunity to venture into anything else because, thank God, it's put food on the table for those number of years. You know so, but, but now I can categorically say that if you feel led to try something, of course counting the cost is important.

Speaker 1:

You know, that is what I can say that I probably did better this time around you know, looked at the cost, put pen to paper what it will cost me in a year. If it's something that I can, you know, just just just do away with, then yes. If it doesn't happen but thank God you know it did work away with then yes. If it doesn't happen, but thank God you know it did work out and it's still working, so I am grateful.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, thank God for that. So did you ever have any self-doubt? You know, this isn't something new, especially when you I feel like when you're going into something new for me, let me speak for myself. I get to points where I'm thinking oh my God, can I actually do this thing? Who actually asked me to do this?

Speaker 1:

because sometimes you hit road, you hit some road bumps. So did you ever have any self-doubt? Of course, I mean, I signed the dotted line in November of 2023 and for about five to six weeks, I just sat on and I was just thinking what did I do? How do I share this? This?

Speaker 1:

is something completely new. I mean, I've never done any other business apart from a private tuition business. How do I begin to tell people where do I start from? So, yeah, I sat on and, um, I, I, I I, of course, doubted myself. In fact, there were a lot of lies that were going through my head. You know what will people say? People will call you a jack of all trade. What's education got to do with travel? How are you going to advertise? All sorts of questions, all sorts of thoughts, all sorts of doubts? Yes, of course, lots and lots of them. Yeah, so it's normal, yeah.

Speaker 2:

So how did you get yourself out of that? Because people need to know how to gosh your face for me is basically imposter syndrome. All the time I'm like, ah, this is not for you, move on, move on to something else, you know, but how do we so? How did you handle self-doubt?

Speaker 1:

and I mean what I did. The first thing, because of course, what we tend to tell ourselves not anymore anyway is, until it works for me, I'm not going to share with anybody else, you know, I mean, that was my thinking then. So, I decided to trial it out on on us as a family. So we booked our first holiday in December and, um, I'd noticed that the prize, because we'd already booked on booking. com. And then I'd looked at one of the suppliers in our business and I found out that, gosh, I am 112 pounds better than what I would have paid for. So I quickly cancelled you know what had already, you know, reserved, and then used the business and booked our hotel and then, when I got back, I also got commission paid. So I was 112 pounds better, I also got commission. So I could not stop sharing, so that was for me was a no-brainer.

Speaker 1:

So I began to share about the business. I began to say, yeah, I tried and tested it. You know it's worked. This is what I have found out. So that was my number one breakthrough. And then the second thing God is so good. The second was a friend of mine does a lot of races. She travels, she does marathons all over the world. So I just said to her, I said, girlfriend, your girlfriend started a new business. When you're going away for your, you need to be booking from me. Yeah. And her first reaction was excuse me, how comes I can't book and how comes I cannot earn the commission to my, to my pocket myself? So well, if you want to do that, you're going to have to start the business as well. And she said yeah let's do it.

Speaker 1:

And I just thought, oh my goodness, just like that so. I earned my first business partner, but I believe what God was trying to tell me or was trying to show me is this is going to happen, you know, with ease, and that has been the case from now, I mean yeah, from then, yeah, okay.

Speaker 2:

So now tell us more about this business and exactly. You said there's so many lessons that you've learned, so tell us the whole journey and all the lessons that you've learned along the way well, the number one lesson which I, I mean, I've been going on and on about it Never say never. You know.

Speaker 1:

I mean like I am one who would just focus on one thing and just keep doing it as long as it is working. But now, honestly, I am of the opinion that if you don't venture out, you wouldn't know what's out there or what the next thing is. So this business has an element of network marketing to it. So there's two areas where you can earn from the business, and when I started the business I wasn't aware that much of that side of the business, so I was going to just do with travel. That was all I wanted to. But then I'd sat in some of the sessions and I'd heard people share their testimonies and their stories and I'm thinking if they can do it.

Speaker 1:

I can do it as well, and then I began to share. So if you had said to me two years ago, oh shalom, you're going to be involved in a business that involves network marketing, out of ignorance, because I didn't know, you know, I mean, I've had to educate myself, I would have said never so, but now it's never say never, you know, what I have learned forward.

Speaker 2:

I just wanted I'm sorry to interrupt you. Why is it that people have this? Whatever about network marketing I was going to.

Speaker 1:

In fact, that was my next line well, next point. Okay, it is because and I'm actually one of them, but not anymore, by the grace of God it's because we don't have the understanding of what network marketing is about. I would have actually said before, before, before guys, if you're listening to this, this is before, not me, I'm a new creation.

Speaker 1:

I'm a brand new man old, things have passed away before I would have said anything to do with network marketing is a pyramid scheme. That was was me before you know. But right now I have an understanding because I've actually read about three books on network marketing just to educate myself and understand. You know what it is about. If there is a product, then it's not a pyramid scheme.

Speaker 1:

You know there is a product to the business, there is a product that has been sold, you know so it isn't. So, just to answer the question education, understanding, developing myself, reading those books, attending the sessions where there is training that happens every morning, you know, because I wanted to be able to say this is it, this is what has happened for me and, it's open to anyone who wants to embrace the opportunity.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so you were telling us, before I interrupted, you were telling us the lessons you've learned. So the first one was never say, never, never say, never. What else?

Speaker 1:

the second one is learning, understanding. Do not stop learning, just keep learning, keep improving yourself. So that was, for me, number two. What I did not know, you know I couldn't benefit from, so I didn't know anything about. I mean, anything to do with network marketing to me was a pyramid scheme, but not anymore. So I mean personal development, learning, it's important. And number three is just engage. Engage in whatever. I mean there would be tough, there would be hard times, but just stay focused. You know, just keep your focus on whatever it is that you've decided to do.

Speaker 1:

I made up my mind in around, I think, the first event that I went to. I mean that there are some um face-to-face events. We actually attended one together. You know that you go to. And then I remember, at that event I decided, I mean I said to myself I am going to set myself a target. So, of course, set yourself a target and put the work in. You know. So I set myself a goal, although my goal was to become a director by the end of the year, december of 2024. But it happened four days after, on the 4th of January 2025. So I am so grateful.

Speaker 1:

I am so super grateful, you know, to God for that, to God for that. And, like I said, I set myself that goal and then, you know, just began to plot and work with and this was done by the community as well because I mean you can't really get their bias. I mean you can, but it would take a bit longer.

Speaker 1:

But, just investing into the team and just making sure that people are also, you know, growing, and we call ourselves I mean, we do have a team called the growing team and that's come from that, you know. You just plug yourself in, work, support people so that we can grow so now you're a director.

Speaker 2:

So so, now that you're a director, and after the challenges you faced, what does success feel like?

Speaker 1:

It feels like you put your plough to the ground, you know, and not looking back so just digging your heels in. Just before we actually got to, I mean and I use we because I mean I'm not just, it's kind of like a community thing you know, before we got there there was a lot of I don't want to call it drama, but there was a lot of contention, but I remember this was around October and November. Around that time I was, you know Lord what exactly are you saying? Because it was unexpected. We had my husband had an operation, a major operation, and then I kind of had to take a bit of time out so I can be his. I mean, I was his sole carer at Children's and not at home so it dawned on me that oh, my goodness, back, you know exactly

Speaker 1:

so I had to take a bit of time off, you know, doing the business, and I think some of our team members did not really understand you know why that would be the case. But I kind of had to go back to basics priority my family first, you know. So there was a bit of a backlash, so there was a lot of resistance, but I then went to God and God just gave me a word and that word was what saw me through the weeks and the months to come. He said to me, He said Shola, exodus 14, 14, hold your peace. You know, just calm down. There might be situations whereby you need to defend yourself, but just calm down. And that was the, the, um, the, the, the, what, what I had to do, you know, sometimes kicking and screaming. I'm thinking that message. I need to respond you know.

Speaker 1:

But then I'd hear the Holy Spirit say to me hold your peace, calm down and, you know, we went through all of that and then God actually gave us the victory in the end and, yeah, so right now it is a case of this has happened. Who's next within the team? So that's the strategy. Who's next? So anybody who's ready to to rock and roll?

Speaker 2:

I'm ready, we're ready we're ready, so success looks like what you.

Speaker 1:

Mentoring people, yes of course, because, um, this is not just a case where Shola is. No, there's going to be a lot more. So for me, my goal now says well, success is the next director. So within the next well, I would say, six months, depends on the person I would like to have another director another director in training, absolutely yeah.

Speaker 2:

So, you know, just building people up and helping people also become, you know, directors as they want to, yeah so what would you say is your number one survival strategy, or what would you say should be the number one survival strategy for an entrepreneur, especially in this day of Ai? Taking over everything, what should be the number one strategy survival strategy.

Speaker 1:

I do have , an acronym that I always walk by. I mean, I've done this for for a number of years and it's grow, which I. I mean you'd hear the word grow, grow, grow, and growth means to me. You'd have to have a goal that you're working towards.

Speaker 1:

So, there has to be a G, a goal that you're working towards. It doesn't matter, I mean, people call it intention, it could be anything. What is it that you want to achieve? And then the R is the resources. You know. Look for resources that would help you get through. So it could be, you know, a friend I mean, I do have walking partners, you know there are. Just look for resources. So it could be books, it could be people you know. Find the resources that you need. It could be AI, it could be charge. Look for the resources that you need. It could be AI, it could be chargeability. Look for the resources that would help you. And then the O is just organize your time, organize yourself, you know. I mean, you could actually just sit behind that being an entrepreneur, and you know, just organize yourself, organize your resources, organize your day, organize your space. And then the W is put the work in. So yeah, so set the goal, get the resources, organize yourself and just work.

Speaker 2:

So I wanted to take you up on the first two things. I want to take you up on Organizing of time. In this world now, there's so much noise. You have your Instagram, you have the Tiktok, for sometimes you wake up in the morning and the first thing you see is a message on Instagram and you have to remind yourself read your Bible first. Yes, put that Instagram thing away, for now, you know, there's so much noise, there's so many opportunities out there, so how can you give us practical tips as to how to organize your time and what you have done?

Speaker 1:

of course, your time it's hard, it's really really hard. So what I have done, um, and of course, having accountability partners as well, you know I mean. So say, for example, the phone is miles away from you know the bedside table, because of course that's the first thing, so where it's charging is miles away, and of course you get up, you pick it up and then the husband is looking at you as in oh what did we say? You know stuff like that. So, having accountability partners, so just putting things in place, so the phone is miles away, so you can still get that quiet time in the morning and then also over the course of the day, I do have a list of things that I need to do.

Speaker 1:

So say, for example, I would write a list of things that I need to do, you know I mean trivial things, important things. Just have a list and walk through or down that list and then I do have breaks in between where I go onto my social media because, I, I, I'm not sure I would be able to, just do that and not, because I would not be focused as I should. So there would be breaks in between, whereby, and then I set myself.

Speaker 1:

Sometimes, I mean I don't get rid of the alarm, but just so that I'm not sitting there and just an hour's gone, two hours gone, you know, which used to be the case before but, then I do have like alarms that would then jolt me out and I'm thinking, oh, my goodness, and then just put it away and get my head down because there's nobody there to say, oh, do the work or don't do the work.

Speaker 1:

So those are some of the practical things, that that's yeah, I mean, some days are better than others, but, um, in most cases, that's what I tend to do with regards to just putting my head down and being focused yeah, one of what you just said about your husband look, giving you a look yeah, just reminds me of my husband.

Speaker 2:

He he's so disciplined. Every night he leaves his phone downstairs oh wow and goes to bed and he doesn't go back for his phone until when the day is fully set and he's done every other thing he needs to do first before and I'm thinking how can you be so disciplined? Well, and I keep saying to him I need my phone for the alarm and he's like there's this old alarm here which, yes, that's what he uses. Be like me, use this, it's a struggle, it's tough it is tough.

Speaker 2:

It is tough, but it's good what you've just said. Make a list and then just prioritize and just walk through the list yeah so that was the first thing I wanted to ask you about.

Speaker 2:

What about people? How do you manage people? How do you deal with all kinds of people? Because you have different types of people. So when you're in a business like this, how do you manage with all the different types of people that you come across every day? Some will step on your toes and you're thinking, okay, this person I could just errh!. How do you deal with them?

Speaker 1:

I guess, with experience. I mean I'm a teacher by profession, so of course I've actually had to deal with all different categories of children and I remember back in the day I used to say to myself oh, I can deal with children grown ups, forget it. But as time goes, I mean I've got to have to deal with the parents, isn't it goes? I mean I've got to have to deal with the parents, isn't it? You know? I mean so, what I tend to do is I, I and I've also read, you know, quite a number of books talking about personalities and, how to compartment, compartmentalize. You know people, so I do.

Speaker 1:

I have a very wide network of people, I have friends. But then once I understand, you know how you are, then it kind of helps me to, you know, decide, oh, where the boundary? You know, just understand, I'll give an example. So say, for example, I might have friends. You know, I mean I hope no one one, no one is thinking I'm talking about them. But I do have some friends that when we meet, when we meet over a period of time, we just start from where we've stopped. So it's not a matter of oh, I haven't heard from you in ages, you know, and da, da, da, da, da. And then I have another, you know, and I have a catalogue of other friends that you know. It's oh gosh, we haven't heard from you for a while, you know.

Speaker 1:

So, just understanding where people are, you know, I kind of relate. So it would be a matter of, I mean, if it was in the past, and I guess with age and experience you'd say, oh, I'm really sorry, you know, work is so busy, don't worry, I would send you a text and I'll just make a mental note and then just do that and then that's sorted, you know. So it's just knowing where people are at and just trying to relate with them from there, rather than, you know, trying to be defensive all the time, which is what I used to be, but not anymore, by the grace of God. So just understanding, and I mean, my dad used to say something, when we were younger he used to say that, the best place to be is always to be nice as long as it is in your power. I mean, I know there's a scripture that says make peace with all men as long as yeah, so I also kind of adopt that as well, which is why I'd always smile, you know, I'd always as much as I possibly can.

Speaker 1:

So that, there, no, no, no, no, yeah, because I really love peace, yeah, so I guess over the years is, yeah, just really people based on their person. So, you know, you'd obviously know, and God has a fantastic sense of humour I've got two kids, well, two young people now, gosh, and they're two extremes. So of course, I course, I have to be able to, you know, to relate with the both of them. You know where they are at, and that has also helped. I mean, you'd notice, I'm always using children as an example, because they're my world.

Speaker 1:

So I mean I've had to deal with, and of course those children become adults.

Speaker 2:

And it changes when they become adults too. Yeah, the dynamics. I wanted to ask you something about um, network marketing and friendship, because I've found that over the years, network marketing seems to have sometimes, when it's not handled correctly, a negative impact on friendship. Because you're a network marketer, you want to sell what you're trying to sell or whatever product it is, and you're calling this friend up, calling that friend up, texting, this one texting, and sometimes it does lead to animosity, sometimes it leads to people being getting frustrated and upset.

Speaker 2:

So how do you handle that?

Speaker 1:

because that for me, I think, is a big issue with network marketing yeah, what I decided, um, from the get-go when I, when I wanted to begin to um venture into that side of the business, was that I was just going to share and my sharing was and I mean, I'm just going to do this, probably once and my sharing is, um, I've found out something new and I just want to see whether this is of interest to you and, if yes, there is an opportunity to hear it or to to find out about it and just point them in that direction. If anything comes out of it, fine. If nothing comes out of it, that's fine. Nothing would affect our friendship. So I made that decision right from the onset because of previous experiences where not necessarily, not necessarily, network marketing, but you've found out something and you've shared it, but of course, the experience that you had with that was not the experience that that person had and that would cost. Oh, you know. And you're thinking, oh, my goodness, I wish I didn't share this.

Speaker 1:

Or, you know, like a product or you know, like a service and it didn't go well for that person. So I made up my mind that was the approach and that's what I have decided to. But then I keep sharing.

Speaker 1:

I keep sharing as in sharing virtually rather than individually yeah, so that's what I have done and I've got a lot of my friends that are not, you know, part of the business, but would still come to me and ask me to book their holidays, and I'm happy to do that. And I'd also say to them that you know you might be earning you it could have been you earning this commission, but I'm happy to earn it on your behalf. You know, just sarcastic, because we're friends. Yeah, so I did make up my mind right from the beginning that I'm not going to. You know, do, that, yeah.

Speaker 2:

So how do you deal with friends who know that you have a travel business, who know that you could do it for them and help get them something maybe better than what they could get out there, and who will still go ahead and book elsewhere and come and say to you oh yeah, I just booked my holiday, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, somewhere else. How do you deal with that?

Speaker 1:

If they dare come to me and say that I just booked my holiday somewhere else. I'm just going to say to them do you know what Good luck bye bye. You're not going to do that.

Speaker 1:

You're too nice for that I mean, I just say to them oh, it seems as if you're forgetting something. Your girlfriend here has a travel business. Could I have actually booked that holiday for you, you know? So next time, you know, just just just. But that does not change anything, you know? I mean, I'm sure they know me well enough, but I will make sure that I express my dissatisfaction in a nice way so that next time they won't make the same hopefully they won't make the same mistake.

Speaker 1:

It's okay because, there are so many other people yeah, that are, you know, blessing us and, you know, buying up that they travel from us. So that's that's, that's okay. Yeah, maybe, if it wasn't that case, I probably would have actually been grilling them and saying well, I think it's.

Speaker 2:

Oh, I mean it should. It should just be okay if they do buy from you, good, if they don't, good. The friendship should still oh yeah, be affected just remain the same. So what inspired you to start dancing on instagram? Because you became the dancing queen on instagram I think we need.

Speaker 1:

I think we need to see that one one time. Don't worry, I definitely, I definitely will yeah video will be up on Facebook and YouTube.

Speaker 2:

All of you who don't know, that's Alex, my tech guy. Oh yeah, chipping in there oh my God, Alex.

Speaker 1:

Well, oh, okay, um, what happened was, um, I remember, like I said, how the first business partner, or how the first person who patronized the business came through was just, you know, just with ease, you know, which, I believe, was God just giving me a pat on the shoulder, that girl, you know what, just go for it, you can do this so, because it happened like that, the excitement, you know. So I just decided to just do a dance an, I remember, you know, it was just in gratitude to God, thank you you know, thank you.

Speaker 1:

You know we started this and within this time there there's a sale. So I did that and I remember the feedback from there. You know, and I'll share a story One of my previous clients I mean I taught her children three of her children did go through the centre and I mean they're quite big now. One of them actually sent a message to their mum and said oh, did you see Miss Shola was dancing all over Instagram. I hope she's okay. Mum sent me a message and said oh, miss Shola I'm not going to mention his name. My son just sent me a message from uni that he saw you dancing all over. In fact, he did send the link and she said oh, and his question was is everything okay.

Speaker 1:

And I said to mom, I mean that was an opportunity to also prospect, you know, mom, and I said, and she's a part of the business now. And I said to her, I said, oh bless, I mentioned his name. I said it's good to know that you know they actually have Miss Shola's back, you know, at the back of them. I mean I'm absolutely fine, I'd just started a new venture and I just had my first sale or maybe the second one, I can't remember. And I just dance about it because I'm so grateful that you know I'd started something new. You know, and you know I'd started something new. You know, and you know, all of a sudden, what I thought before was this is what I know. I can't venture out of this. And now this is happening. So it's just from a place of gratitude to God and excitement as well, so that, because it got attention, I just thought this is a strategy. So I better keep dancing.

Speaker 2:

That was good. You became the dancing queen. I've got a good question coming up, okay. Oh yeah, this is a good question. How do you combine faith and business, and has it shaped your decision?

Speaker 1:

making. Absolutely yes, I mean, I believe that, even before the business, is my faith. That's who I am. So I started this business because I felt, I mean well, I felt, after I was in a time with God, after my birthday, this person reached out to me and I decided to give it a go. I mean, I didn't hear, you know, God did not come and say, oh, this one or that one, but I just felt the leading, you know, of the Holy Spirit. So for me, my faith is the most important thing, and then my business afterwards, because at the end of the day, it is God that gives us the grace and the ability and the know-how and the strength, you know, and everything to structure all out.

Speaker 2:

So for me it's, it's um God first yeah, so we're fast coming to the end of the podcast. I don't know where the time goes, but I have one question I wanted to ask you. So what's one piece of advice?

Speaker 1:

don't stop, just keep, keep, keep, keep going, just keep going. As I said, I sat on the business for about six weeks before I'd started anything. Um, what I would say to anyone is leverage on what is available, leverage on those who have already made a success out of the business, and just go. Don't stop, yeah, and keep moving, keep moving, don't stop, yeah, keep on moving, don't stop.

Speaker 2:

Keep on moving, don't stop. I don't know. I think that's how it goes. Yeah, I think it's keep on moving't stop. I don't know. I think that's how it goes keep on moving.

Speaker 1:

Don't stop now, or something thank you very much.

Speaker 2:

And yeah, so you've more or less done what I was going to ask you to do, but I'm still going to ask because we always like to end the podcast on a note of hope. So for anybody out there who's listening, who's thinking you, who's thinking you know what. I'm tired of what I'm doing. I'm tired of my 9-5. I'm looking for something different to do. There's so many options out there. Can you just say something that would encourage people out there? Just some kind of note of hope.

Speaker 1:

Okay, some kind of note of hope. Yeah, okay, I mean. What I would say is whatever you feel, the promptings you know in your, in your heart, just go in that direction. do not give up. Um look for, like I said, grow by looking for someone who um can actually help you start or move forward. You know don't suffer in silence.

Speaker 2:

just take one step, you know, and keep moving forward but if there's so many for somebody like me, where there's so many options, opportunities, how, how would, how would you advise somebody out there who has so many things start start with?

Speaker 1:

one After one. Start with one. Start with one, you know, just start with one, because sometimes, when we have so much in us, that could also be something that would hold us back. But just start with something, you know, and when you start with something and you begin to move, and then the other things will begin to kind of fall in place. So just start with something. Start with one thing. Start with one thing, start with one thing.

Speaker 2:

So start with one thing Grow, grow, yeah, and don't stop, keep moving.

Speaker 1:

Don't stop, keep moving, keep moving, keep moving, don't stop, keep moving, keep moving, keep moving. You know, and the last thing that I would say is look for someone as an accountability partner, because sometimes it's tough when you're there by yourself. We need people, so look for someone, yeah, that can actually point you in the right direction. So don't go on your own. Look for somebody that will, because, of course, the the wind would blow, the storm would come, but you need somebody to kind of help you during those times so don't go on your own.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, somebody you're gonna cheering you on and saying keep going keep going like you're doing for the rest, for the growing team, yes so yes, loudly, loudly, cheering everybody on and that's really beautiful to see, wow. Thank you so, so much for coming on the show today. It's been really really interesting and very nice to have you on. Thank you, and if people want to get in touch with you, want to know more about this opportunity that you're talking about, how can they get in touch with?

Speaker 1:

you On Instagram, if you'd. Or actually, if you just Google Shola Alabi I'm sure Shola with a H there would be quite a few bits that come up. But you can find me on Instagram at Lady Sholz Travels.

Speaker 2:

Can you spell that please, the Shoals, so that people don'tll the whole. Thing.

Speaker 1:

Lady L-A-D-Y and then S-H-O-L-Z and travels T-R-A-V-E-L-S.

Speaker 2:

Okay, Lady Shoals Travels Okay, and we will put all the information in the show notes so if anybody wants to contact you to talk about the travel you want to share with them, they can get in touch with you. Thank you, and you can do it that way.

Speaker 2:

So thank you so so much, Thank you and hopefully we'll have you on here sometime soon and if you're out there and you've enjoyed this, please share the episode with your friends and family. Please share, subscribe to our podcast. We're on spotify, we're on bossprout, we're on youtube, we're on apple, we're all over pod share. So please share and subscribe. Thank you so much and hopefully we'll have you again with us sometime soon. Take care. God bless you.

Speaker 2:

Thank you so much for joining me today on navigating the chapters of challenge. Your time means the world to me and I hope today's episode inspired and encouraged you. If you enjoyed episode, don't keep it to yourself. Share it with your friends, family or anyone who could use a little hope and encouragement. You can find our podcast on Spotify, buzzsprout, apple Podcasts, youtube and wherever you love listening to podcasts, want to support the show? It's easy just click the support button on Buzzsprout and any contribution, big or small, helps us keep bringing you stories and insights that matter. And don't forget to check out our latest book, Navigating the Chapters of Challenge from Trials to Triumph, available now on Amazon. It's packed with inspiration and practical wisdom to help you navigate life's storms. We'd also love to hear from you If you have a story to share, an idea or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out. Your voice matters and, who knows, your story might just inspire our next episode. Thanks again for listening, stay strong, stay inspired, and I'll see you on the next episode.