On a very cloudy Wednesday morning, David was finding it hard to get out of bed. The weather felt more appropriate for chilling than working. He is what most Nigerians call a “Tech Bro” because he is a full-stack developer, which is a big deal, especially considering the kind of money he earns.

As he continued to scroll on his phone, ignoring the mental nudge to get up to start his day, a Snapchat notification popped up, showing him memories from years ago. He chuckled to himself as he saw his long neck in a picture he took with Mr Shele. Muttering, ‘the shaping days that weren’t good ol’ days’.

Let me give you a bit of backstory.

David studied mechanical engineering at University and did his IT at a technology firm where he met Mr. Shele, his nemesis (or so he thought). No, Mr Shele isn’t the type of person you’re thinking of; he’s just someone who took David under his wings, which David found annoying because he wanted to be independent.

As soon as David started his IT, Mr Shele, who is his manager, made sure to include him in everything—meetings, outdoor business events, lunch breaks and operations shenanigans that weren’t any of David’s business. David was his right-hand man. He didn’t like it at first, but he got used to it because Mr Shele was like the big brother he never had. Mr Shele enjoys talking, so he always asks David career questions. He was committed to seeing him succeed. He never failed to give him advice in the friendliest manner possible.

One time, when they needed a graphic designer at the firm, Mr. Shele made David work alongside Chima, the graphic designer. David reviewed the designs before they reached Mr Shele’s table, who would then blame him for any mistakes and ask him to do better. When Chima left the firm, Mr Shele suggested he learn graphic design. He reluctantly agreed, knowing Mr. Shele wouldn’t stop talking about it until he did. Two months of hard work and corrections from Mr Shele later, they officially employed David as their graphic designer while still a student. Choosing to learn Graphics Design with Mr Shele’s help, and juggling it alongside school created the career path he is now.

David has gone on to work for different firms, some multinationals, as a graphic designer, product designer, front-end developer and now, a full-stack developer.

I asked David about his career evolution, and he said “It is pertinent for young people to have a side hustle. Creating an income stream does not have to wait till one is done in school. Start learning the skills you need and trying ventures that interest you.” He mentioned that he has taken on the role of Mr Shele in so many people’s lives since he became comfortable, and he will continue to do that.

I decided to ask him for side hustle ideas for young people in their teens and 20s, he gave me a few: freelance writing, social media management, online tutoring, graphic design, no-code designing, video editing, baking, virtual assistance, handmade crafts, logistics, photography, etc. Which do you do or will you be doing?

Also, if you run a small or medium-scale business as a side hustle, I shared some tips that can help with your business growth here. You should read it.

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