Success is a digital creative entrepreneur and a no-code developer, which is a skill of building software without learning how to code. He is also the CEO of NeXtScale Community, a subscription-based community for digital skill owners and entrepreneurs
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Success Ekudehinwa, a final year student of Environmental Management and Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, unknowingly honed a valuable skill while spending countless hours online, writing on his Facebook page.
However, in 2020, during COVID-19, his life took a U-turn when he stumbled upon a post that showed him how he could monetize his writing passion.
Today, Success is a digital creative entrepreneur and a no-code developer, which is a skill of building software without learning how to code. He is also the CEO of NeXtScale Community, a subscription-based community for digital skill owners and entrepreneurs, made to foster growth among the community members through webinars, trainings, strategic partnerships etc.
How it all started
Success started his online business in 2022 from his work place at home. Before then, he would spend most of his time online, writing on his Facebook page not knowing what it was all about until he stumbled upon a post by one Eno Sam during the covid-19 pandemic. For the first time, he realized that what he was doing was something capable of making money with. So, he enrolled in one of Eno’s institutions at Brilliant Entrepreneurs and Writers Academy to learn more on content writing and how to build a profitable writing career.
“I didn’t learn IT at first, but I can recall that I spent most of my time online, writing a lot on my Facebook page that was as far back as 2015 to 2018 which is now known as captions or social media articles.
“However, in 2020, during the COVID lockdown, I came across Eno Sam’s post on Facebook, went through her profile and page, and for the first time realized that what I was doing was something capable of me making money, and could really be monetized, and that there was even a name for it (Content Writing).
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“So, I spent that year paying for her products, especially Eno’s written e-Books, and joined her community of over 110k and also registered for her content writing courses in one of her institutions called Brilliant Entrepreneurs and Writers Academy. Things got better from there and I learned and started implementing as a Writer. Over time I learned other complementary skills from branding, to marketing, to the digital space etiquettes, content creation e.t.c. After learning, and implementing, I did volunteer work to gain experience and gather my portfolio. In 2022, I got my first paying job as a content writer with RitRides, a travel and transportation company in Abeokuta, Ogun State,” he narrated.
Success told TheNiche in an interview that the inspiration of setting up a space where he could help people grow through IT and digital skills came from Eno Sam’s community. “Her community inspired me, and I thought within me that if my starting point could help me grow this much, then I want to do the same for others, who are trying to survive the hardship of life and are willing to learn and grow in a community that can change their lives forever through IT & Digital Skills Opportunities.”
He added: “And for me, this was my breakthrough because I came from a really humble background. So, I wanted that for others too.”
Sourcing for capital
Success said sourcing for capital was challenging initially until he came up with a solution of building a solid system that works.
He said: “Sourcing for capital was a hell of a challenge, but not until, I started looking for ways to decentralize my business model, and looking for ways to build a solid system and structure that works.”
Penetrating the market
Success said he did not face many challenges penetrating the market because he had already established a strong personal brand.
“I didn’t have much challenges, simply because I already do most of the things that I brought into the market. I already built myself a personal brand, got quite a lot of people who already knew me for what I could do. So, transitioning that into a business model and penetrating the market wasn’t much of problem, but yeah, I had to still pay my due diligence,” he said.
Experience while struggling to establish a brand
Success said perfectionism and execution were the struggles he had to deal with while starting his business. “Perfectionism and execution: I remember having more than a lot of my business model or idea in my head for months if not years before I started executing and that was because I wanted everything to be perfect. I was waiting for the perfect time, or probably that one product that would make it to the digital space but that never happened until I started. It was a struggle.”
Business breakthrough
For Success, getting people to sign up for his digital courses, training them and having over 121 individuals join his community, was a breakthrough. “Getting people to sign up for digital courses, having me train and teach them, and having over 121 individuals join my community, was a big breakthrough for me”, he enthused.
Challenges of doing business in Nigeria
Success said Internet and electricity are his major challenges, coupled with technical tools and raising of funds.
Japa
The CEO of NeXtScale Community said he knows he will leave the country one day but before then, he would like to give back to society what he has learned from the digital world.
“For the longest time I can remember, as a person, I’ve always known I’ll leave the country one day, but before then, I believe I have an important role to play in the Nigeria Digital & Entrepreneurship ecosystem. Nigeria has poured into me in this journey by the thoughtful and mindful incredible network of people, and events I’ve come across. So, I would like to give back before leaving the country.”
Contributing to economic growth
Success said for now, he is representing what every economy would want from its youths by inspiring, and teaching people.
“For now, I’ll say I represent what every economy would want from its youths and I have also inspired, taught people things I know, to also follow this path towards creating careers, opportunities, becoming self-employed without degrading the economy or becoming hindrances to the economy growth. And I believe this is genuine, the earlier more youths realize this, the better it is for us. We should quit the habit of waiting on the government or fate. “
Success said those who move the economy today are not people who waited on the government or fate for something to happen but are people who created a path for themselves in different industries, and then invested in both local and global economies.
“So, my ability to help others see this, is my way of contributing for now. In 2025 I want to restructure NeXtScale Community in tune with our vision so I can achieve this in a more structured way.
“There are a lot of folks out there, especially from our third world countries, who do not understand the power of tech or the digital space, hoping on government, fate, or families to have a head start in life.”
Success has gotten awards from Inkbled Africa as one of the most creative writers that is shaping the world and people around them.
He recently got recognition with the Shununemployment Movement as the third runner up.