From Surviving to Thriving: Real Stories from the FHG Community
Issue 01 — Adegbaju Simon, Emerald Director, Neolife International
Some people talk about change. Others live it.
This series exists for the second kind.
FHG Ikole is a branch of something bigger — but the mission at the local level has always been the same: show a university student, regardless of background, that real income, real skills, and a real future are within reach without waiting for the system to hand them one. Belief is one thing. Proof is another.
That’s what this interview series is about. No hype. No polished success stories stripped of the struggle. Just real people, real timelines, and the honest truth of what it looks like to go from barely getting by to building something that lasts.
Our first guest is someone whose story will feel familiar to a lot of students reading this. He wasn’t born into comfort. He didn’t have a head start. What he had was a talking drum, a technical skill, and a hunger for something more.
Meet Adegbaju Simon — Emerald Director at Neolife International, freelance 2D illustrator, and one of the clearest examples of what happens when a young person stops guessing and starts committing.
This is his story — in his own words.
1. Tell us a little about your life before FHG. What were you doing and what challenges were you facing?
I was still a student when the opportunity to start my FHG business came my way. At the time, I was into Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Electrical Engineering not just as a course, but as a way to survive. That skill was my lifeline because it paid my bills for some while but it’s never constant (K).
On weekends, I would go out to play talking drum at events, earning between #2,000–#4,000 depending on how successful the event was. Life wasn’t as sweet as I had imagined. The motivational advice about learning a handwork before gaining admission sounded inspiring but the reality was tougher. There were days I couldn’t eat what I truly wanted. Days I couldn’t afford the kind of clothes I wished to wear. Days I had to choose endurance over comfort and lots more.
2. How did you first hear about FHG, and what made you decide to join?
I first heard about the business from a close friend of mine who always left for an office just behind me. I used to wonder where he was going so consistently. One day, I decided to stop guessing and ask him directly. He explained the opportunity to me, and although I was curious, I was still unsure. But everything changed when I got a free ride to Ado-Ekiti for a cheque rally.
That trip shifted my mindset completely. I saw young people just like me being celebrated for their achievements. They were earning, growing, and being recognized for their hard work. In that moment, something clicked inside me. I told myself, “One day, I will be celebrated like this too.”
After the event, I made my decision. I joined not just because of what I heard, but because of what I saw and what I believed I could become. And that decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.
3. What was the biggest challenge you faced in the early months, and how did FHG’s training and community help you overcome it?
At the beginning of my business journey, my biggest challenge was lack of not understanding the concept of the business. Because of that, I had no clear direction, and honestly very little energy to push for results.
For months, I struggled. But I wasn’t alone. With the guidance of my leaders and consistent training, I began to reconnect with my original reason for joining. I went back to the main reason I start at first. I studied the business model deeply. I asked questions. I became intentional. In a short time, clarity replaced confusion. Confidence replaced doubt. And results began to show.
4. Which freelancing skill(s) did you learn through FHG, and how quickly did you start landing clients or projects?
I learned a lot and developed valuable skills, but I eventually chose to focus on 2D illustration which I truly enjoyed.
This time, getting clients wasn’t difficult. I had learned from the mistakes I made in the early stages of my journey. I understood the importance of positioning, communication, and confidence. Instead of repeating old patterns, I applied the lessons I had paid for with experience.
Within just three weeks, I connected with a client who was ready and willing to pay for my services. That moment meant more than just income it was proof of growth. Proof that learning, adjusting, and staying consistent truly pays off.
5. How has the Neolife network marketing side complemented your freelancing income?
Neolife has complemented my freelancing income by strengthening both my mindset and my finances. It taught me discipline, resilience, and how to understand and work a business model properly. That growth helped me approach my 2D illustration career with more confidence and strategy.
Financially, it also gives me an additional stream of income, reducing pressure and allowing me to focus on delivering quality work instead of chasing every project.
6. Walk us through your income and lifestyle growth. Can you share specific milestones (first client, first 6-figure month, first car/house, etc.)?
I secured my first paying client within my first month of fully committing to my freelancing journey. It was a small project, but it meant everything to me. That payment wasn’t just income it was proof.
After about 8 months of refining my craft, improving my positioning, and learning from my early mistakes, I achieved my first 7 figure month as a freelancer. That milestone showed me what consistency and skill development can truly produce.
On the network marketing side, after 2 years of solid training, mentorship, and personal development, I hit my first 6 figure milestone. That achievement represented growth not just financially, but mentally and strategically.
With growth came real changes: Reduced financial pressure, A better and more stable living situation, more control over my time (working smarter, not just longer), The ability to reinvest in better tools, advanced learning, and personal development
From surviving as a student earning a few thousand naira on weekends to building structured income streams, the journey has been about steady growth, clarity, and commitment.
7. How has FHG changed you personally confidence, leadership, mindset, relationships?
FHG changed me from the inside out. It built my confidence by helping me move from doubt to clarity. Through mentorship and training, I learned discipline, consistency, and how to truly understand and work a system not just rely on motivation.
It also developed my leadership skills and shifted my mindset from just surviving to thinking long term about growth, income, and impact.
More than anything, it changed how I see myself. I now think bigger, act with intention, and surround myself with people who push me to grow.
8. What advice would you give to someone who is skeptical or just starting out today?
My advice is simple: don’t judge an opportunity from a distance. Get close enough to understand it. Ask questions. Study the model. Attend events. Sometimes clarity only comes when you expose yourself to the right environment.
If you’re just starting out, focus on understanding before earning. My biggest delay came from not fully understanding what I got into. Once I became intentional about learning and applying mentorship, results followed. Also, be patient with yourself. Growth is not instant. The early stage is about building mindset, discipline, and skill the income comes after. The journey can change your life if you commit to it.
9. What does the future look like for you in the next 3–5 years within the FHG community?
In the next 3–5 years within the FHG community, I see myself operating at a much higher level both in impact and income. I’m focused on building a strong, structured team, developing new leaders, and becoming someone, others can look up to just like I once looked up to those being celebrated. Financially, I’m working toward consistent high level earnings and greater stability, creating multiple streams of income through both FHG and my creative career. Personally, I see continued growth in leadership, influence, and confidence. The future for me is about scaling my results, my mindset, and my impact within the FHG community and beyond.
10. Is there anything else you’d like to share with people considering this opportunity?
One thing I want to share is this, not everyone will understand your decision. Sometimes, the biggest discouragement come from family and friends. It happened to me. Some people questioned my choice. Some didn’t see the vision. Others simply didn’t believe it would work. But I learned something important, people can only support what they understand and not everyone is exposed to the same information or experiences you are.
Their doubt doesn’t mean your dream is wrong. If you truly believe in what you’re building, stay focused. Respect their opinions, but don’t let fear or their decision control your future. Results speak louder than arguments. In the end, when growth becomes visible, the same people who doubted you often become the ones who celebrate you.
Stay committed. Stay patient. Let your progress do the talking.