From Tears to Cheers: A Story on How Tolu got his Joy Back
Toluwani isn’t the loud, “look at me” type of freelancer. No endless LinkedIn motivational posts, no aspire to perspire story, no bragging tweets about clients on three continents. Just him, his laptop, headphones, and a workspace in his room. But behind that calm surface is a journey filled with delays, near-scams, and one close call that almost made him quit.
This is his story.
Hey Toluwani, let’s warm up. Who are you outside the hustle?
I love music — all kinds, as long as it sounds good. And here’s a funny one: people never guess that I actually enjoy chores. Cooking, cleaning, everything in between.
Nice one. 😂Hundred yards husband material. So what does a normal day in your life look like?
My life is pretty basic. I wake up, do my chores, then get to work. I snack on whatever I lay my hands on, and when I close my laptop, I like to take walks, listen to music, or watch movies. Sometimes I just chill with my friends and neighbours.
Let’s rewind. How did you even start freelancing?
After NYSC, I was having those “what next?” conversations with my friends. You know how Nigeria can be. I studied Forestry and Wildlife Management (laughs), so freelancing wasn’t the obvious next step. But we were talking about trends, and cybersecurity came up.
I decided to take some courses on Coursera. A friend even paid for the first one. The certifications got too expensive, so I looked for something related and stumbled on cloud computing. That’s how it started. Meanwhile, I was also helping my dad with his water and sewage treatment business, following him to jobs and learning on the side.
What was the early grind like?
Shege banza 🤣. My first client came from a friend. The job was $30 and I was so happy. But after deductions, I got around $22. I was pained, but it was still a win. That first dollar hit differently.
And then came the problems, right?
Omo, e plenty. Delays everywhere, crazy fees. Sometimes it felt like I was working for myself and the platforms. I just wanted to do my work and get paid fairly. Instead, payments dragged for hours or even days. The stress no be here.
Was there a moment you almost gave up on freelancing?
Many times. Once, my laptop even packed up — I thought it was over. A friend loaned me his system, and that kept me going until I fixed mine. Then came a near-scam that almost finished me. I legit thought about walking away, but somehow I kept pushing. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t quit.
Tell me about that scam attempt.
It was a fake payment link from a supposed client. I clicked, and for a second I thought I’d lost everything. That moment made me realise how risky the space was. It shook me.
So in the middle of all that shege, someone mentioned Vent?
Yes. A friend. She told me about it once, then again while explaining it to someone else on the phone. That’s when I asked questions. To be honest, I didn’t believe her. It sounded too good to be true. I even told her there must be a loophole somewhere 😂. She just let me be.
What finally made you give it a try?
Another friend (someone she had already introduced to Vent) was using it and enjoying the soft life. Meanwhile, I was still doing back-and-forth with a Telegram plug. One day, he was wasting my time, so I just switched. Downloaded the app, signed up, and used Vent instead.
So, first impressions. What was that first Vent transaction like?
Peace of mind. Simple. I didn’t have to beg my plug for updates or chase anyone. I got email notifications for every step, and the money hit my account in minutes. I was even angry at myself for sleeping on it for so long.
If you had to compare “before Vent” and “after Vent” in one sentence each, what would they be?
Before Vent, converting crypto to cash was harder than the work itself. After Vent, the peace of mind is unmatched.
Quickfire round. I’ll ask you a question and you’ll say the first thing that comes to mind:
First thing you bought with a Vent cashout? → A bottle of Gordon’s.
Vent in one emoji? → 👍
If Vent was a friend? → Padi of life.
One thing you don’t worry about anymore? → Being scammed.
What has been the biggest change for your hustle since discovering Vent?
Cashing out is no longer a worry. I can focus fully on work, knowing I’ll actually get the value I deserve. That peace has helped me grow and think bigger.
How about family and friends — what do they think now?
At first, they didn’t understand the hustle. Some still don’t. Some people even thought I was into fraud (laughs). But they see the difference. I’m not the same person I was before. My life has taken a whole new turn, especially financially.
If another freelancer who’s struggling reads this, what would you tell them?
Don’t give up. The struggle is part of the story, but you don’t have to suffer more than necessary. Use platforms that protect your hustle. Save yourself stress.
Looking back at your journey so far, what are you most proud of?
That I didn’t quit. Who give up no try. I kept pushing through everything — near scams, high fees, broken laptop. Money is never enough, but I show up every day to maintain my success. That’s what I’m proud of.
Closing Line
Toluwani’s journey reminds us that behind every hustle is a human story worth telling. At Vent, we’re proud to be part of that story, but the spotlight will always belong to people like him.
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