From Smoke to Screens: How Freelancing Changed My Life
I happen to be a BBQ chef and I kicked off Kustom Grillzz in June 2019, right after my NYSC and the heartbreaking loss of my dad. It was one of the most challenging periods of my life, but driven by sheer passion and determination, I pushed on against all odds.
The business grew, thriving despite many obstacles along the way. But just as we were picking up momentum, we had to halt operations in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical businesses were shut down, the world went into lockdown, and everything came to a standstill.
It was a crazy time—but also a moment to pause, strategize, and rethink. I knew the dream wasn’t dead, but I also understood that I needed to evolve.
The Turning Point
Before the pandemic, I used to rely heavily on graphic designers, content creators, video editors, and other professionals to help run my business online. I’d pay them and still end up dissatisfied with the work. Delays, revisions, and uninspired results drained both my time and money.
In 2022, through my partner, I got introduced to 2kcourses—a platform that guides and puts you on the right path to freelancing, and how to commercialize your digital and tech skills. That introduction changed everything. I enrolled, eager to stop depending on others for tasks I knew I could learn and handle myself.
I began learning graphic design, content writing, video editing, email marketing, and social media management—all the skills I used to pay others for. What started as a side hustle to support my BBQ business slowly became a major part of my life and income.
A New Chapter Begins
Since starting my freelancing journey, I haven’t looked back. Today, not only do I run Kustom Grillzz with a fresh creative edge, but I also earn as a freelancer, offering services to clients locally and internationally.
What began as a side hustle has become a lifestyle—one that allows me to dictate my time, be more productive, and express my creativity fully. I no longer wait on others. I AM the designer, the marketer, the strategist. And the results speak for themselves.
With the flexibility that freelancing affords and offers, juggling between Kustom Grillzz and handling tasks for my clients has been nothing short of an enlightening experience. It has given me the opportunity to learn, earn, and serve professionally. It’s not an impossible feat to achieve—it’s very possible! Whatever you have going on today, you don’t have to abandon it in your pursuit of success.
Freelancing Gave Me My Power Back
Being a freelancer gave me full control:
I don’t stress over flyers anymore—I design them myself.
I don’t chase content writers—I write with clarity and confidence.
I don’t rely on others to manage my online presence—I handle it all.
It’s not about being a “jack of all trades,” but about owning your tools so no one holds your progress hostage.
You Too Can Do It!
This is not a hard feat to achieve. With dedication, consistency, and the right mindset, anyone can make the shift. It’s not about being a tech genius—it’s about being willing to learn.
This is a gold mine that so many people still overlook. In a country like Nigeria, where the economy is shaky and jobs are scarce, many are still chasing after Ponzi schemes and get-rich-quick platforms.
Freelancing isn’t a scam. It’s not overnight magic. But it is the key to financial freedom, and it can take you places you never imagined—IF you commit.
Take it from me. A BBQ chef turned all-in-one virtual assistant. You sleep, you snooze. But if you wake up and start now, the rewards are endless.
Start your freelance journey today at 2kcourses.com