Hey Sis!
Can you believe it? We’re already in the last month of the year!
It was just like yesterday when we said Happy New Year, and now we’re already bidding 2022 farewell.
I feel extremely joyful, and emotional too.
Personally, this year has been a rollercoaster. There have been lots of things to learn, unlearn and relearn. There’s been laughter, tears and so many emotions rolled into one.
Every month this year, I have written you these newsletters from my heart and shared with you some of the things happening in my life.
Don't forget HEY SISTURR is a newsletter for Figure-8 sisters, and Figure-8 Connect is one place we own our stories, be they good, bad, or ugly.
So, by the next time, I’d be writing you in January, we’d be celebrating the 1st anniversary of this series.
Thank you all for subscribing to my newsletter. Thank you for making out time to read me every single time. Thank you all for all your kind comments here and on WhatsApp.
I see them all, and I truly appreciate it.
So, just before I started getting really emotional and bidding you the final goodbye in 2022, let’s talk a bit about November.
I got laid off from work (again)
The beginning of November was quite a very emotional time for me.
Remember when I wrote about getting a job at Ohmstech as a Sales & Marketing Executive? On the 8th of November, I received an email that terminated the appointment.
It was my 4th month working at Ohmstech, and that last month, I knew somehow the end was near.
I wanted to send in my resignation letter myself, especially because I had taken on another job as a Digital Marketing Manager with CodeRigi (another software development company).
Unfortunately, they laid me off before I resigned.
I felt sad. Not really because I lost the job, but because this was the third time I was being laid off in one year.
Anyway, I learned so much at Ohmstech. I enjoyed my time there. And I’m ready to take on bigger challenges.
I started building with CodeRigi
As I already mentioned, I joined CodeRigi in early October.
CodeRigi is the brainchild of Mr. Harry Zahavi, a visionary young man. I fell in love with him the very first time we spoke.
I fell in love with his carriage, his vision, and his quest for growth.
He knew next to nothing about maximizing social media and other digital channels. He just knew he needed a digital marketer.
He posted on his Facebook. I commented, sent him a DM, and eventually sent my CV and cover letter via email.
Next, he was in my WhatsApp DM. I had been hired.
This deal was closed sometime in July while I just started working with Ohmstech. I even wrote about it on LinkedIn.
Most of August and September were occupied with planning and organizing an aspect of his business (The Circuit NG), a subsidiary of Zahavi Empire.
The event was citywide and tagged THE EVENING WITH ZAHVI (TEWZ). Because I wasn’t based in Uyo, I couldn’t really them with so much.
Enough of the back story, let’s talk about CodeRigi….
Officially, CodeRigi (formerly known as Zahavi Codes) was launched in October. And I was the pioneer Digital Marketing Manager.
We started as a team of 7 but have since then grown to have 8 freelance sales personnel who work for CodeRigi.
CodeRigi is a custom software and product development company, whose focus is on helping brands and businesses rapidly scale their reach and profit.
We are committed to positioning brands on the global map by creating visually appealing and easy-to-navigate websites, apps, and software their customers would love.
In less than 2 full months of working with CodeRigi, we’ve been able to attend a level of success, generate good leads, and create resounding brand awareness.
As you must have guessed right, the pay isn’t so big, but working as Digital Marketing Manager teaches me so much on a daily basis.
Digital Ad Degree by Aleph
I’m not sure if I mentioned this in our last newsletter. But sometime in October, I began taking this professional certificate course.
The course is called Digital Ad Degree by Aleph and would last for 3 months.
Usually, my sessions happen every Monday and Wednesday by 6:30 pm WAT, and it’s been totally worth my time.
The thing is…
Shortly before I got enrolled in the program, I had dreamt so much about taking courses that’d make me an Ad Specialist.
In addition to Meta (Facebook) Ads, which I was already conversant with running and had even made a few bucks from in time past, I wanted to learn how to run other Ads like Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads, YouTube Ads, and even TikTok Ads.
So, when I saw that Aleph was taking me on a 3-month long journey, and would teach me how to run those other ads I knew nothing about, I was blown away!
A little digression…
Digital Ad Degree by Aleph is actually the 8th certification course I’m taking on this year. Unbelievable?
Basic SEO Training by Geeky writers - January 2022
Jobberman SoftSkills Traning - February 2022
The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage - April 2022
Digital Marketing by Hubspot Academy - June 2022
SEO by Hubspot Academy - July 2022
GAIN-DBN Entrepreneurship Masterclass - September 2022
ALX Virtual Assistant Course - September 2022
So far in this course, I have made a few friends. Also, I have had lots of opportunities to share all I know about Digital Marketing from all past courses I’ve taken and real-life experiences I’ve had working in the digital space.
I honestly can’t wait to graduate and update my LinkedIn bio to include Digital Ad Specialist.
I celebrated my 23rd birthday
On the 22nd of November, I turned 23. (I guess that’s old news already!)
There wasn’t really anything fancy. No birthday presents, no dates, no surprise engagement - Lol! I’m just kidding.
The funny thing is… Nigerian Banks decided to happen on that day.
I went to withdraw my last N10,200 from a POS near my house.
My MiFi subscription had finished the night before, and I needed N5,000 to renew it.
I also wanted to treat myself to a medium-sized box of pizza, and a bowl of ice cream.
Guess what? The transaction was declined on the POS, but I got debited instantly.
Special thanks to the POS lady for being kind enough to send 5,000NGN to my MiFi even though the money didn’t process.
Unfortunately, I had no other money anywhere. I had to start begging my friends (on my birthday) to send me money.
Thankfully, I was able to raise about 4 or 5K, and with it, I used to prepare a sumptuous meal (a pot of fried rice and chicken).
I didn’t have anything that day till 5 pm when I finished cooking.
The food was eaten by my roommate, my friend Faith Tamunokuro, and my good neighbor, Sir K.
I also wrote about 23 lessons I have learned in 23 years.
My best girl got married
So, I know I talked about this in my previous newsletter about my friend who got engaged and was getting married soon.
Well, from the first day I knew she was getting married in December, I knew I was going to attend, and I was going to look hot.
The wedding was less than 2 weeks after my birthday. I wanted to make a very beautiful jumpsuit, buy nice heels, style my hair and get a nice make-up done.
Well, long story short - I achieved them.
In the words of Afam, I looked “excessively hot” that day.
I had so much fun that day, as I watched my once-upon-a-time best friend tie the knot with the love of her life.
I graced the occasion with another best girl of mine, Faith.
While returning from the wedding reception, I went to a POS to withdraw. Then something happened, I got debited, but the transaction was declined.
So officially, Nigerian Banks are owing me 15,300 NGN. And it makes me sad!
Afam and I started getting along quite well
The final gist for the month of November which I know y’all have been itchy to hear is… Afam and I started talking again.
No, we didn’t just start talking. We actually got along really well.
We spent ample time together, and it felt so good.
He’s of the opinion that we bury the hatchet, and keep growing our relationship.
Honestly, I really don’t know. I don’t if it’s a good or bad thing.
Deep inside of me, I love this man. I want to spend forever with him. Being around this man makes me so happy. But, I’m scared.
I’m so scared, that what led to our breakup six months ago would repeat itself.
And no, he didn’t cheat on me. Maybe you read what led to the breakup here.
Plans for 2023?
While I want to use this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Advance, I want you to take some time out and write a list of things you are grateful for this year.
Have you gotten jobs? Have you bought any gadgets? Have you built good relationships with people? Have you made any money? Celebrate your little wins!
And talking about making money, yesternight, after watching videos of Latasha James and Ali Abdaal, I decided to take stock of all the money I’ve made in 2022.
Guess what guys, I crossed the one million mark by a whoop
ing 102,000NGN.
Yes, I did not get that dream job that pays $1-5K monthly.
Yes, I had lots of needs and expectations I didn’t meet.
But without a B.Sc. and working from the comfort of my home, I have been able to amass over 1.1 million Naira doing what I love.
I find it a very BIG win, and I know 2023 would be better.
I’m certain that if I open up income streams for myself, by the end of next year, I should have earned at least 5 million Naira.
Next year…
I want to be more intentional about the work I do. I want to grow my online business and become a renowned Digital Marketing Professional.
I want to also give structure to my communities - School of Digipreneurs and Figure-8 Connect, and grow them into thousands of members.
I want to be more consistent with putting out content on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Medium.
I look forward to working with more UK, USA, and Canadian-based companies/clients in 2023.
Above all, I want to be very intentional about saving from every money I make and investing a good amount in profitable ventures.
In Conclusion…
Dear sister, yesterday is gone! Don’t brood over the losses of last year. Focus on what is to come.
Focus on making your today and tomorrow beautiful, ‘cause that’s all that matters.
You are beautiful! You are smart! You are creative!
And most importantly, you are YOU - ORIGINAL!
I can’t wait to hear of all the mighty strides you’ll achieve in 2023.
Don’t forget I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! And, I’m rooting for you 100%!
See you in 2023!!!
Thank you, Delight. 2022 rapped up very fast🤔 seems like that to me🤷♀️
But, I will remain grateful and hope this next year would best unfold.
You are a Queen Delight ❤
Thank you so much, Bookie😭😭
What a rollercoaster year indeed.
I'm rooting for you too 100%
Next year we'll break more grounds ☺️☺️