I knew myself to have always been a bit of a rebel, drowning in uncommon choices and being unorthodox, though my family members have learned and are still learning to accept this part of me, but not without them wanting to poke me in the nose sometimes.
An example that comes to mind is when I turned down a job offer sourced for me by my friend "Lizzy" to start my own small-scale business even without much prior experience.
I mean, running one business is great, but when you are just starting, it can be a bit challenging, especially for someone who has no single experience in such a line of business.
Lizzy had called me earlier that day, so excited on the phone. "Hey, babe, I have great news for you."
"Oh, wow, what could it be?"
"You have been offered a job at my place of work. I will brief you later once I come around." "Oh mine, that is sweet to hear; see you around then."
Later that evening, we hung out at a local catfish outlet close to my house to talk about the details of the job.
She began after we ordered our catfish pepper soup with one bottle of malt drink each. "There is an opening for a math teacher job at the school where I teach. I told my boss about you, and after I showed him your CV, he thought that you were a perfect fit for the job and requested that you come over for an interview just to make it official, coming Monday.
I can't help but admire the beautiful smile on her face and how excited she was to share the good news with me. But all that was about to fade away with my response.
I adjusted myself on the chair before telling her what was on my mind.
"Babe, you have no idea how grateful I am that you will go all the way to help me secure a job at your place of work; it means a lot to me. Thank you." "But I won't be taking up the job. I have thought a lot lately about starting my small-scale business of selling honey. And now I think it's time I go into it.
" Her mood changed from a smiling face to a bit of moodiness; I knew that wasn't what she wanted to hear. After all, I have been unemployed for three months since we departed from the National Youth Service.
"But, babe, you don't have any experience in this said business; why honey of all businesses? And how sure are you that it is going to be able to sustain you?" "Well, I have a passion for it to start with and have done my research, which I believe is something I need to give a try."
"If you insist, but I'm just thinking that a 40k teaching job would be a better option for you right now, you need the money, remember?."
"Aside from the money part," I chipped in before she could talk further. "I do not have much passion for a teaching job; don't get me wrong, I respect your job, and I admire people who impact their knowledge on little children, but I don't just see myself as a teacher."
I was thinking you could do it for the money and leave your passion for a while, she said with a little grind on her face. But if business is what you want, I will support it.
But today's outing will be on you; that will be your punishment for refusing to work in the same workplace as me.
"Aha, I think I can live with that," I responded, and we spent the whole evening talking about my business idea.
Throughout our discussion, I knew deep down Lizy was only being a supportive friend, but she found it so hard to buy into my idea.
Two years later, when I broke even in my business and my honey store was striving, one day I invited her to dinner at my house. And when we remembered the time I was telling her about my business idea, we both just giggled and laughed over it. In her words, "You know I'm so proud of you for taking the road less traveled, for believing in your idea and sticking to your plan even when no one seems to understand your reasons."
I held her hands and said to her, "Thanks, babe." I may not have succeeded without your support. Thank you for not abandoning me when I needed you most. For being there when I needed someone to rant to about any huddle I came across along this journey. Thank you for your support, even when you did not understand what I was doing." Then we both cheered the glass of juice in our hands.
The End @funshee ❤🙏🥰
Two photos above are of my unbranded, natural pure honey, taken by me Thank you!
