1 Have you ever felt like your dream job is just out of reach? Maybe you’ve spent years applying for jobs and hitting dead ends, despite having the qualifications and experience. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been there myself.

But what if I told you that all those rejections were actually a redirection? That’s exactly what happened to me. Today, I want to share the three lessons I learned from building a 7-figure service-based business after what seemed like a string of failures in the corporate world. My journey wasn’t easy, but looking back, I can see how everything worked out exactly as it was meant to.

Let me take you back a bit.

A Fresh Start in the US and the Struggle to Fit In

In 2005, I moved to the United States from Nigeria. I was a newlywed, full of hope and excitement about the future. I had just graduated from Babcock University in Nigeria with a degree in Computer Science, and I was ready to dive into the corporate world. After all, I had worked with prestigious companies like Shell and KPMG in Nigeria. I thought I was set to take the US job market by storm.

But that wasn’t the case.

I applied to countless jobs, but every time, I faced the same feedback: “You don’t have US experience,” or “You don’t have a US degree.” It was a huge blow. I thought to myself, “How is this even possible? I’ve worked for top companies! What more do they want?”

I kept pushing forward, applying, and waiting. But the rejection letters kept coming. This went on for years—until 2008, when I finally landed a job with a company called Bell Sports in Dallas. I was thrilled! I thought I’d finally made it.

Then, just four months into the job, I got laid off. The recession hit hard, and I was back to square one.

A New Direction: A Leap of Faith

At that point, I had two choices: I could keep chasing corporate jobs, or I could do something totally different. And that’s when it hit me: Maybe it was time to try something else. Something that aligned with my purpose.

While I was in a phase of self-reflection and soul searching, I realized that my dream job wasn’t really my dream job. It was the job society had told me I should want. But deep down, I felt like I was meant for something different.

I prayed about it, and my husband encouraged me to think outside the box. He asked me what I was passionate about, and I realized that I loved helping others. I enjoyed shopping and finding great deals for people. That’s when the idea for my side hustle as an international personal shopper was born.

I started small, helping my family and friends in Nigeria get items from the US that they couldn’t easily find there. I was eight months pregnant with my third child when I began this journey, and let me tell you, it felt like I was carrying twins—one in my belly and one in my business! But despite the challenges, there was a sense of peace in the midst of it all.

Fast forward 10 years, and what began as a side hustle has turned into a 7-figure global e-commerce company. But let me share with you the three lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Lesson #1: Rejection Is Divine Redirection

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is this: Rejection isn’t the end. It’s redirection.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “rejection is redirection,” but for me, as a Christian, I’ve come to believe that rejection is divine redirection. When I was being rejected by corporate America, I thought it was just bad luck or bad timing. But now, I see that those rejections were part of God’s plan to steer me in the direction I was supposed to go.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In hindsight, I can see how those years of rejection were God’s way of guiding me toward my true purpose. If I had landed a corporate job, I wouldn’t have the freedom and fulfillment I have now as an entrepreneur.

So, if you’re facing rejection or things aren’t going as planned, don’t get discouraged. Trust that God is leading you to something even better.

Lesson #2: Embrace Divine Disruption

Another lesson I’ve learned is to embrace divine disruption. I won’t lie—this one was hard for me. I was so set on building a corporate career that I fought every step of the way when things weren’t going as planned. I resisted the changes, the rejections, and the uncertainty. But once I surrendered and embraced the disruption, everything shifted.

When I finally let go of my own plans and followed God’s lead, I began to see how this “disruption” was nudging me toward fulfilling my true purpose. It’s not always easy to let go of our own desires and plans, but embracing divine disruption can be incredibly rewarding.

God has a bigger vision for our lives, and sometimes that means disrupting our comfort zones. If you feel like everything is falling apart, maybe it’s because God is creating space for something new. Trust the process.

Lesson #3: True Fulfillment Comes from Fulfilling Your God-Given Purpose

The final lesson I want to share is the most important: True personal fulfillment comes from fulfilling your God-given purpose. For years, I tried to fit into a mold that wasn’t meant for me. I thought that the only way to be successful was to climb the corporate ladder, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Once I embraced my purpose as an entrepreneur, I found a deep sense of fulfillment. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight, but every step I took toward my purpose brought more peace, more joy, and more success than I could have ever imagined.

Now, when I look back at where I started, I can’t believe how far I’ve come. My business has impacted the lives of over 40,000 customers across two countries, and I’ve built a team of 44 amazing people around the world. We’re doing meaningful work, and I get to be the one leading the way.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled or stuck, it could be because you’re not walking in the direction of your true purpose. When you discover what you were created for and start pursuing it, that’s where real fulfillment lies. And trust me, it’s worth the journey.

In Conclusion: Take That First Step

I know many of you reading this have a business idea in your heart that you’ve been putting off. Maybe you’re afraid or uncertain about how to get started. But I want to encourage you: take that first step. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just start.

Maybe you’ve been putting off your dream because you’re holding onto a safe, steady paycheck. Or maybe you’re afraid of failing. But trust me, the fulfillment and peace you’ll find by following God’s lead will be worth it. Don’t let fear stop you from stepping into the life you were meant to live.

If you’re ready to start that business, I encourage you to do some soul-searching and pray about it. Trust that God will guide you, and when you take that first step, you’ll be amazed at where it leads.

Thank you for reading today’s post. I’m excited for you as you begin this journey toward your own business. Remember, you have everything you need to get started. Just take that first step, and watch what God will do.