What is Your Excuse?

I write today with much energy and enthusiasm. In fact I am doing this with such vigor as that which Usain Bolt possessed when he created a new world record at Beijing. The passion within me is so enormous that I can begin to tell you how I feel without giving you what I intend. For the sake of sanity, clarity and brevity let me share with you the story of a young girl who defied all obstacles to become a household name. She picked her way up the ladder of success with determination. And to crown it up, she is a Nigerian like you. This I hope will tell you that you have no excuse whatsoever not to be successful.
She was just a little girl who had just lost her father. Her mother was a civil servant and the whole burden of family rested on her. They had to survive and she also had to go to school. Right from the time she was a kid she developed an interest in looking good so after her senior secondary school, she applied for a job at a nearby perfume store. She was employed as an assistant sales girl. Her chores were primarily to assist the sales girl, do other things like sweeping, fetching water, running little errands, washing plates and going to the bank daily. In spit of all these, she began to build her self. She picked up very important value systems that would later help her in business. After her jamb exams she proceeded to the Lagos State University to study law. While at the university, she started her own business with just 1 make-up box she had at that time. She would make-up for friends on their birthdays and even started making up for brides. It wasn’t all rosy from the beginning as there were days she would offer services and would not be paid in full or even not paid at all. This wonderful lady did not stop. She never stopped believing in her self. She never gave herself an excuse for not doing well in life.
That young girl today has grown her business from one make-up box to a very large organisation with six branches nationwide, 2 branches in Lagos, 2 in Port-Harcourt, 1 in Ibadan and 1 in Abuja. Today she no longer begs for jobs or sweep for a boss. She picks royalties and eminent personalities she “feels” like working with. In fact, she has handled bridal make-ups for the Yar adua’s. Yes! It is that one you are thinking of, our amiable President. Are you still guessing who she is? She is Tara fela-durotoye, wife of the famous Fela Durotoye whom we all adore and fondly call fd. She is the CEO House of Tara also fondly called “Orekelewa.”
The phrase that strikes me pungently about this young woman is what she started with, “one make-up box”. She could have used are father’s death as an excuse for not being successful, yet she launched into the deep.
Dear reader, what is your excuse? Is it the lack of capital, ideas, death of a parent, your skin color or lack of education? I must tell you, “YOU have no excuse for not being successful.” If you argue that you have an excuse then I can tell you that even if you have all these things that you think are inhibiting you, would you have turned out good? Mine is not to judge. Do you have a dream you want to pursue? Do you want to make an impact in your generation? Take charge of your life. You have no excuses. Don’t forget your gifts can make ways for you.