Nechera

07/08/2025

I landed my first real client without a portfolio. While others were ‘preparing to launch,’ I launched and got hired almost immediately.

What I did have?
📍 A willingness to serve
📍 A skill I was practicing behind the scenes
📍 And one bold decision that changed everything

Let me tell you how it happened👇

I stumbled on the page of a popular social media influencer.
She was doing amazing things but I noticed one thing:

➡️ One of her businesses didn't have any marketing video content.

I had been learning how to edit videos on my own. Practicing with free tools.
So, instead of sliding into her DMs saying “Hey, do you need a video editor?”
I did something else:

I created a free video for her.

Yes. Free.
I just studied the business, took her logo and branding elements, created a video, and sent it to her.

I told her I admire what she does, and I decided to create a video to support her business since she didn't have one.

She saw it.
She loved it.
She said thank you…
But she didn’t hire me.

I won’t lie, it stung a little.
Because I had put in effort. Time. Energy.
And still... Nothing.

But I let it go and kept moving.

Fast forward, months later…

I got a DM from someone out of nowhere, saying she's looking for help with her social media and video content.
Asked if I was available to take the role. Available ke? Is that suppose to be a question?

I didn't need an interview or portfolio because the person who referred me had put in a good word.
They trusted my work.
We had a chat on WhatsApp and we agreed on the pay.

That client became my first paying gig.
And not just that, over the next few months, they paid me five figures worth of consistent income.

From one free video.
From one person who never paid me directly.
From one moment of boldness and service.

So here’s the lesson for the day:

Your first opportunity might not look like a payday.
It might look like “free work.”
But when it’s done with strategy, intention, and excellence, it can become your open door.

Because people always remember value.
Even if they don’t pay today, they’ll refer you tomorrow.

And this is especially important for beginners to understand, you don’t just need a portfolio, you need initiative, value and a giving mindset.
Offer value without always expecting instant returns.

Because when you move with integrity, your reputation becomes your portfolio.
People refer who they trust.
People recommend who showed up when they didn’t have to.
Generosity opens doors that marketing alone cannot.

Have you ever done a “free job” that later opened a bigger opportunity?
Do you think offering free value is smart… or a waste of time?
Share your experience, I’d love to hear how you got your first client.

And if you’re trying to land your first remote gig, I’m building something just for you.
📩 DM me “REMOTE” to get early access to my Remote Work Blueprint Program launching soon.

28/05/2025

Hey you.
It’s been almost a year since I posted here. And a lot has happened in that time.

New name.
New phase.
New fire.

I’ve also been building something meaningful; we add a new structure to our digital skill academy Tech By Alvan Styles (we now run in cohorts). Also, I now teach and mentor others. I’ve done fieldwork, had quiet wins, faced some real doubts… but most importantly, I’ve grown.

For months, I felt like I wasn’t ready to show up online, like I was still becoming the version of me that could.
But I’m learning that you don’t wait until everything is perfect to be visible.
You start… even if it’s random. Even if it’s just a video. Even if it’s been a while.

So, this is me, and finally getting closer to the version of me I’ve always seen in my mind.
It’s 2025. A new year. A new rhythm. A new kind of courage.

Let’s begin again.
Désirée

17/08/2024

Fill in the details as they apply to you

25/07/2024

Day 7 is past and over 🔥

20/07/2024

Many business owners miss out on defining their Unique Selling Point clearly, which makes it hard for customers to see their value. If you're still struggling with this, I brought value today.

Swipe through to discover how to craft a USP that truly resonates.

Hit SAVE and SHARE this with a fellow business owner! 💬

What is your value proposition? Let me know in the comments

19/07/2024

It's easy to get discouraged by small results, but remember, every big goal is achieved by accumulating small successes.

While I'm getting ready for this 31days challenge, my posts barely had the views I wanted, very few likes and zero comments. I felt like I was talking to myself.

But I kept checking my analytics, and those small increments in reach and profile visits and impressions kept me going.

Soon I know the small results will add up. I will see the results I can only dream of now.

So, keep an eye on your analytics, celebrate those small wins, and stay motivated. The big goals are within your reach.

16/07/2024

Have you struggled to stay consistent on Instagram? You're not alone! I have struggled as well. And I have wasted so much time watching those who I started this journey scale Instagram but this August, I'm saying yes to a fresh start.

I will be embarking on a 31 Days Instagram Consistency Challenge. This is me turning my Instagram into a powerhouse.

I'll be sharing;
🔹 Strategies
🔹 Tips
🔹 Growth Hacks
..to help you stay consistent and grow your business business presence. If you're a newbie in tech; social media manager, virtual assistants, etc, stay close because August is all about you.

🤔 Poll Time!
What’s the biggest challenge you face with Instagram consistency?
1️⃣ Coming up with content ideas
2️⃣ Sticking to a posting schedule
3️⃣ Engaging with followers

Drop your answers in the comments below or vote in our story! 👇

Follow me and let's make next month the best one yet.



What’s the biggest challenge you face with Instagram consistency?

30/03/2024

It must have seemed as though I forgot to show up here this week but no, that's not it at all. I have been working behind the scenes. My week started off pretty hectic so I had to take my time, prioritize the right tasks, just so I can deliver when needed.

So this week, I had the incredible opportunity to work behind the scenes at the PFM & Sustainability Capacity Building Workshop, organized by Anambra State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with ACCA!

As the social media manager for the event, I spent the past three days immersed in the energy of learning and collaboration. It was an honour witnessing 150 participants from the various MDAs in the state actively engage in insightful sessions on data analytics, effective communication, and the PFM framework.

How can I forget to mention the one thing that stood out for me: The facilitators. The country head, ACCA Nigeria, the MD of BetaPlus Int BetaPlus and CEO Octave Analytics, mehn! those guys were loaded and incredibly knowledgeable. They could go on and on for hours and still keep their listeners engaged.

It was truly a unique learning opportunity for me and also playing my small role in this impactful workshop. And I am eagerly looking forward to supporting more initiatives.

30/03/2024

24/10/2023

THIS COURSE IS TOO EXPENSIVE 🤔

I've been watching the previous cohorts of this social media management training come and go, and I've always wanted to join. But due to financial restraints, I haven't been able to.

Registration for the last cohort for the year started in September and was actually more expensive than the previous editions because they added virtual assistance and freelancing skills to the outline.

I registered for it anyways. I'm going to invest in myself and take this training, even if it means stretching my budget a bit.

I didn't just do it for myself, I did it for my clients. The skills and knowledge I'll acquire will take my career to the next level. And I believe that the investment will pay off in the long run.

I recently came across a post where someone left a comment that the price of the training was on the high side. I thought about it and I disagreed.

I've never been a fan of people who spend heavily on things that could have been gotten cheaper, but I've learned that when it comes to investing in yourself, you sometimes have to make sacrifices.

The additional skills that will be taught in this training program are valuable in the current job market. Virtual assistants and freelancers are in high demand.

So if you're thinking about investing in yourself, don't let the price tag hold you back. It's an investment that's worth making.

If you need a social media manager for your personal profile or business, I'd be glad to have a chat with you.

24/10/2023

I'm not one to jot down notes during online classes. I've always been a visual learner and I usually prefer to just listen and absorb the information. But today, something different happened.

From the moment the instructor started speaking, I was hooked. She was so engaging and informative. I found myself grabbing my notebook and pen, and before I knew it, I was jotting down everything she said.

I'm beginning to think the motivation came from the money I spent on that training 😂😂 but whatever the reason, I'm glad that I did.

At the end of the class, she announced that she would be giving a prize to the students who took notes during the class. Ha! 😂 I kid you not, there were literally butterflies in my belly 😂.

I'm already anticipating the rest of the training. The first day was so impactful and fun, and I can't wait to learn more.

I know that the training is going to be challenging, but I'm confident that I'm up for the task. I'm motivated to learn and to grow, and I'm excited to see what the future holds.

Share your amazing online training experiences with me via the comment section, I'm eager to read.

23/10/2023

Did you notice Google's doodle today? Finding out it was in celebration of a Nigerian Football icon made me have beautiful flashbacks.

Read through 👇
Source: Google

Today’s Doodle celebrates iconic Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, an accomplished forward nicknamed the “Goalsfather” for his ability to sneak shots by the keeper. On this day in 1963, he was born in Kaduna, Nigeria.

The beginning of Yekini’s life was difficult as he faced homelessness and poverty. To make money, his first jobs were a welder and mechanic, but his true goal was to pursue football. He soon began playing in front of scouts and in 1981, he joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna.

The talented striker played for the Shooting Stars next, scoring an impressive 45 goals in 53 games. His spectacular scoring abilities earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1983, and he was the first Nigerian player to receive this honor. The next year, he helped bring the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.

Outside of Nigeria, he also played for football clubs in Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Tunisia, Switzerland, and Greece. While playing for a Portuguese team called Vitória Setúbal, he won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) for being the league’s top-scoring player in the 1993-94 season.

Yekini helped Nigeria’s national team, nicknamed the Super Eagles, qualify for the 1994 World Cup. Nigeria played Bulgaria on June 21st, and Yekini made it a game to remember. Not only did he score the first goal of the game, but also the first World Cup goal for Nigeria. Overcome with excitement and pride, he ran into the net and clutched it with both arms while cheering and crying tears of joy. Many consider it one of the most iconic goal celebrations in football history and it served as inspiration for today’s Doodle artwork.

He went on to play for the Super Eagles for a little over 14 years, including another shot at the World Cup in 1998. In his 58 games for Nigeria, he scored 37 times, and to this day holds the record for most goals scored for the country.

Happy birthday, Rashidi Yekini!

He died in Ibadan on 4 May 2012 at the young age of 48