”I remembered when I will go to Faringada market and carry a basket of tomato on my head with my NYSC uniform still on.

I started my business the same month I was supposed to pass out from service.

The look and the stares on people’s faces. Some were surprised, some were truly disgusted.

A lady who was residing in my place once told me, God forbid, she can never ever ever stoop that low.

Then I remember this day people who obviously did not have the chance to further their education were talking how school was scam. And one of them pointed towards me and said, is this not someone that went to school, that has a degree that is selling tomatoes and grains here with us.

I played deaf. In my little head I said to myself, keep going girl, they are just looking for consolation of some sort.

Yes you are selling tomatoes and grains after years of pursuing a degree, but you will do it like a graduate. You will turn a very small and normal business into something big and admirable.

The one I can never forget is a day a fine boy came to my shop to buy vegetables and was mistaken someone who was also there to buy from me to be the seller.

He calmly told her he wanted to buy vegetables and she became very agitated.

In her little words, so it is me that looks like a tomato and food seller abi. Why on earth will you look at me and tell me you want to buy vegetables. Ah, kilode, why was she overreacting like this I asked myself then calmly apologize and told him I was the tomato seller. Damn, I said it with so much pride because I did not see a single reason why I should be embarrassed.

Well today, that same women is who I call to do my laundries once in a while and I pay from the same business she didn’t want to be associated with.

You see this life there is no shame in selling your market. Do it with so much pride. Show up for it like you would show up for a white collar job that is paying you in millions.

It doesn’t matter if you have masters or degree, do not think twice when you want to make a decision of doing a legit business that will pay your bills no matter how small it is.

If you need to get dirty, please do. If you need to sacrifice your looks for awhile please do. As long as you consistently show up for your little beginnings with so much pride, your efforts and sacrifices will pay off someday.

Do not anybody make you feel ashame for what you are doing to pay your bills. The same people will stop picking your calls when you keep calling them for financial help.

Choose your shame wisely.”