Today, where unemployment continues to weigh heavily on young graduates, many are left waiting endlessly for an opportunity that may never come. But for Olatunji Oluwadamilola Ifetayo, the end of her National Youth Service Corps year in Abuja was not the beginning of a long wait, it was the beginning of a bold journey.
Fresh out of school, she applied for numerous jobs in both government agencies and private schools but got no favourable response. Rather than sit idle, Ifetayo took a decision that would change her life. She decided to learn a skill in cleaning agent production and launched her business from her mother’s kitchen in Ilorin, starting with just N1,500.
“I did not make a single sale on the first day. But by the third day, people began to show interest,” she recalls. “I told myself, I would keep showing up and ensure people saw my products.” From offering samples through her mother’s office colleagues to showcasing them in front of her house, she gradually built a customer base, leaning heavily on referrals and the power of social media. Her motivation was both survival and passion for health and environmental consciousness.
“I wanted to build an eco-conscious family. My research showed that most people used conventional soaps filled with toxic chemicals. I wanted to bridge that gap by producing safe, eco-friendly alternatives,” she said. Today, Ifetayo is the founder of a fast-growing eco-friendly cleaning products manufacturing company, one that aligns closely with her passion for health, her advocacy for clean living, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being.
To anyone feeling stuck or limited by resources, Ifetayo’s message is clear and honest. “Start from where you are with what you have. God blesses what is in your hand only when you act. A lot of people want results without being ready to build. You have to be intentional, gain knowledge, and be willing to come out of your comfort zone,” she advises. She also believes in the power of visibility. “No one will find you in your hiding place. You have to boldly sell yourself and push your ambition with a SMART goal,” she adds.
Ifetayo’s journey is also strongly tied to her identity as a health advocate. Her choice to run an eco-conscious brand was not just a business decision, it was a purpose-driven mission. “Knowing that I am solving a real problem gives me joy. It has shaped me into someone who is proactive, innovative, and productive,” she says. Her thirst for knowledge has led her to pursue several business certifications, a degree in Microbiology, MSc Public health and recently, an MBA.
Driven by her own early struggles, Ifetayo launched the ‘Get Skilled Empowerment Scheme’ ten years ago. What began as a personal outreach to help others learn income-generating skills has grown into a full-fledged initiative that has empowered over 8,500 individuals. “I use my story to show Nigerian youths that they can create their own opportunities. Many of the people we train do not have capital, but they start with what they have and grow from there,” she explains. She also mentors them personally and actively seeks out sponsors to provide small grants for some of the most determined participants.
Ifetayo’s journey translated into a business success as she wrote two books inspired by her life. The most notable, Stars Do Not Hide, They Only Shine, is a deeply personal collection of real-life experiences. “There was a time I questioned everything, from my purpose to the pain and rejections. But I realised that every scar carries a story, and every story carries light. I now boldly call that light my shine,” she said.
She describes the book as a message for every dreamer who feels tired, every young woman questioning her relevance, and every man who feels unseen. “You are not ordinary. Your struggles do not disqualify you. They prepare you,” she writes.
Running a capital-intensive business in Nigeria is no easy feat. Between funding, structural gaps, and inconsistent systems, Ifetayo admits that the hurdles are many. But consistency, visibility, and strategy keep her going. “We do not joke with visibility. Every day we are praying, building, refining, and positioning our brand to grow. We have won some grants, lost some, but we keep showing up with our amazing team who share the vision.”
The next phase of her business focuses on deeper market penetration and mass education. She plans to launch campaigns that promote eco-friendly lifestyles and train rural women to become ambassadors of green cleaning in their communities. “We want every part of Nigeria to hear this message. We want to reduce non-communicable diseases and make people more aware of the toxins they unknowingly invite into their homes,” she says.
Olatunji Oluwadamilola Ifetayo has shown that stars do not just shine, they rise from struggle, and they light the way for others.
