Hi!
My name is John Ekpenyong. I am an Engineer (working with one of the IOCs) and an Entrepreneur.

I am an incurrable optimist with a high sense of discipline. I find real joy in being of help to people and this is the greatest burden in my heart.

I had been an entrepreneur in the pipe since 2007. I actually became a professional entrepreneur in 2014 with my first N10 Million naira hit. I mean I started earning from my entrepreneural efforts from that year.

I realised the most important factor that catapulted my results and that's exactly what I want to share with you.

I am not here to brag or bore you with stories....so, please take away that our Nigerian mentality and keep reading on.

My story is actually an interesting one and I would like to share it with you, hoping to inspire you to also pursue and persist with your dreams; and to give you that 'Master Key' that you need.

Yes! Is job still a worthwhile pursuit in this present economic down time? I would say, it depends.

Personally, I decided to stay on my job even after I had become an employer cos I actually know where I am going. That top level expertise is very vital. Notice that our multi-millioaire politicians soldem invest despite their millions and when they do, it's all Hotel business. This is because they have had no indept specialised technical or traditional expertise required to operate a high level investment successfully. This is to tell you that experience is still worthwhile depending though.

A very humbling experience!
I was 26 years old, just from my National Youth Service and luckily a man I met with and used to help him with some tasks at times during my service year called me and I picked. He said 'Hello Mr. John, How are you doing?.....I have known you though for a while now. I know you to be very briliant and well-mannered. I am recommending you for a contract position with Mid-Western Oil and Gas Company here in Delta State; and I know you will not disappoint me'. And I replied 'Yes, Sir. Am most grateful to you for this, Sir'.

After everything, I resumed the job the next month and it lasted for a year. During this time, I had accummulated some good money in my bank account.

The one-year contract job was over and I was back again in the job market, this time, with enthusiasm and zeal, lots of hope and expectation. I worked very had.

But the unfortunate thing was that barely 2 years after this contract job, I was bankrupt and even indebted. Not as a result of reckless spending. I still could not secure another job, now 2 years plus.

I was lacking in 'The Master Key' not knowing. Always thinking I was good academically, technically, analytically and otherwise. It got so bad that I couldn't pay my house rent anymore, I was behind my bills; and as a matter of fact, my girlfriend, the one I promised to marry, left me. I had gone as far as doing 'Introduction' with the family.

Certain people started saying that I needed to pray, that I needed prayers, that how could I be so intelligent but not make progress?

My contemporaries were moving forward. If you have ever been here in life, then you have a practical feel already. You know that awkward feeling you have seeing your contemporaries getting married, buying cars, having children, even building houses and you're seemingly staying in one spot. That is how I felt.

I was thoroughly humbled by this experience!

Is all these stories really necessay? Read on, please!
In this present economic times, where the economy is perceived as being unstable, bankers are conservative in lending money, investors take fewer risks, employees are on a continual lay off and the general slow down in economic growth, what is the way forward?
Is it job or entrepreneurship? Again, the answer depends on you, I would say. But all I know and have for you is a one-key that unlocks both.

As you can see, it was certainly a challenging period of my life and I do know that everyone at some point in their life, exodus this stage. How long this period would last depends on you (it is in nobody's hand but you).

It is really just funny how people literally desert you when you go through valley experiences. But I learnt one thing in those periods: to focus on making myself better (skill-wise) rather than looking at my mounting issues, debts, and problems. And that was the greatest resolve I think I made during those periods. I made up my mind to be the very best I can.

Now even if I loose everything I have, I will use that same principle again. I WILL FOCUS ON BEING BETTER (Skill-wise and perhaps character-wise).


.......still typing! Coming soon!!

I'm waiting...

Waiting for more....

........CONT'D

One of the skills I focused on lastly that gave me that ultimate breakthrough was Speaking/Presentation, Persuation and Negotiation. In fact, I worked hard to master the mechanics and dynamics of communication, oral and written.

Now, is this what you called 'The Master Key'? Yes, it is!

One moment please! How was a near-first class Mechanical Engineering graduate with a CGPA of 4.46 on a grade scale of 5 not able to secure a job except for the one being recommended nor breakthrough in business despite all his potentials and good manners. Later in the ladder, I realised that this was a common problem of young graduates and generally a problem for an average person.

Yes, during those times, I can hadly remember any job application I made and was not called nor did I not made it to the interview and/or Group Discussion stage, up to even being interviewed by white men, I never got any tangible offer.

I remember going to meet councellors. Little did I know that that was the last skill I needed to breakthrough in life.

And if you are reading this right now, you are closer to a major breakthrough that would humble your contemporaries.

Irrespective of:
whether you are a graduate or not; your discipline; whether you are a job seeker or gainfully employed; or wherever you may be or dream to be........the bitter but urgent truth is that that major breakthrough is still far until you master this secrete.

Oh! In doubt? Drop and stop reading this piece and look around you, bring distinguished and successful men into your mind; which of them does not seem to have mastered this secrete? Even at the local level, it is still the secrete. You never cared to observe? I never cared too. Not until I became tired of the status quo.

My quset to develop this skill of Speaking/Presentation, Persuation and Negotiation to appreciable level caused me to spend countless resouces on it.

I read and studied hundreds of copy-writings and sales letters, I attended scores of seminars and meetings, I watched hundreds of videos and personally practiced before the mirror again and again. I created and staged scenarios and imagined delivering on point always before any audience.

Meanwhile, I was still struggling financially, I was still behind my bills.

Huh! Finally.....................Did "The Master Key" Deliver?
Yes, both job and my entrepreneural dreams zoomed out immediately.

About this period, I registered for the YOUWIN Business Plan Competition. I was not expecting much but just tried.

Out of 161,000 that applied for the business plan competition, I was priviledged to be selected among the next 6,000.

The fact is that my sales copy writing skills really came handy. You know why? Because a Business Plan is actually a Sales Letter.

Usually the Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria empowers 1,200 young people within the ages of 18 - 45 years with between N1 to N10 Million; but that year, they were left with 2,500 young smart entrepreneurs after thorough screening; so they decided to do the ultimate test: A 30 -Minutes Presentation to Defend your Business Plan.

Yes, we had impressed them through our impressive written business plans but they now wanted to hear us speak. They wanted us PERSUADE and NEGOTIATE a deal with them.

When it was my turn, I literally wowed the panel, because by this time, I had already mastered and grow in presentation abilities.

The panelists were so impressed. Some asked what I studied and some asked for my contact.

And yes, I got my N10 Million.

Why am I sharing this story?
To brag? No
I share this story to inspire you.

Within a space of 4 months, I had 3 offers from 3 reputable oil companies and I critically made my assessment and choice.

I realised that presentation was caging my breakthrough.

Guest what, during this present economic situations with its compelling pressures on employers regarding lay offs, this skill has contributed to preserving my job because I have now been classed as one of the indispensable hands as a result of my versatility. As I am typing this message right now, 4 of my immediate colleagues at work are now home.

My own company is not running dry. I am still an employer and an employee at the same time.

I actually share this story to inspire you. I share this story to get you to take interest in developing the MOST IMPORTANT SKILL IN THE WORLD: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION (SPEAKING/PRESENTATION, PERSUATION and NEGOTIATION).
I got my millions!
I got my dream job!!
I continue to win contracts both for my employer and my own company!!!

Now, let me help you.

I have groomed and recommended young graduates and experienced hires in transitioning for both jobs and financial assistance and most of them are doing well now either in their jobs and/or as entrepreneurs.

If you were touched by this story or have something to share with us or want to contact me privately for any assistance which am always glad to be of.

I have more to offer, especially those in the technical or engineering to accelerate your career including others, Management, Administration, Entrepreneurship, ICT (Industry/Professional Softwares), Marketing, etc.

Let's keep in touch!
Let's work together!
Keep them coming!!
I appreciate you all!!!

Thank you everyone that have sent me a mail. Please I respond to the mails on first come basis and based on individual cases, so if I havn't replied to yours yet, be a bit patient. I will attend to you all, at least, over the weekend.

However, most of your concerns and querries can actually be addressed on here to help others too and lessen my typing work and time.