Creator Interviews: Episode 1
Tell us a little about yourself
Heyyy! I’m Motunde Sotuminu; Motty for short. I’m from Nigeria and a recent Law graduate as well as the Founder and Blogger behind Motty Inspires. I blog on all things personal development, lifestyle, and empowerment for millennials.
Why did you decide to start a blog?
Well, I reached a turning point in my life and became heavily acquainted with personal development and it honestly changed my life in all areas i.e spiritually, academically, financially. In early 2016, I stumbled across a quote which said ‘I want to inspire people, I want someone to look at me and say because of you I didn’t give up.’ That summed up my mission in life and considering I had always loved to write, I was able to discover what exactly I wanted to blog on.
What is your message and why do you think it is relevant today?
My message is a message of hope, of inspiration and of empowerment to millennials. People who come across me today don’t realise what my journey was
like prior to me starting Motty Inspires. My story is one of hope against all odds and I’m here to give people the inspiration that if I can do it, you can too. I’ve
made a lot of mistakes in my life but my message to people does not let anything define or limit you, that includes your past, your background, circumstances,
etc. As long as there’s life, there’s still hope.
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My story is one of hope against all odds and I’m here to give people the inspiration that if I can do it, you can too.
What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?
Be patient with the process and focus on writing good content and building a solid audience and also be more confident in promoting my content. Stepping outside your comfort zone is scary but it is essential. There is no point in writing good content but it’s not read by anyone.
Which people or books have had the most influence on your growth and why?
I draw inspiration from different people, different situations and places. I think self-help books, in general, have influenced my growth as well as solidifying my relationship with God.
What would you say is the #1 key to success in your business?
Consistency and creating good content that people will like and will help them. I always say ‘if you work smart, keep at it, stay consistent, it’s only a matter of time before the opportunités you once prayed for start coming your way.’ There’s a quote which says ‘success comes when preparation meets opportunity.“ And I’m just beginning to get the recognition and opportunities because I’ve remained consistent against all odds. I have faced challenges, there have been tough days, there have been days where I compared my growth to others and questioned my abilities, but I remembered my WHY and this has kept me going.
What does a typical day in your week look like?
I’ve recently just finished university so things are going to switch up for me. But on average, I wake up around 6:30 or 7 am, pray and have devotion. I would then speak to my mum and head to the shower and get my day started. I would usually have lectures throughout the week with assignments or exams to prepare for. At the end of the day, I usually dedicate it to my blog- working on the weeks content, checking my stats, checking social media, responding to emails and catching up with family. I would end the day with prayer and back on Instagram again lol. And that’s how every typical day for me is like.
Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?
I see failure as failure if that makes sense. There’s no big or small. I fail every day but what I think is important is learning from them and getting back up. And that’s why I think perfection is a myth. Don’t strive for perfection but strive for progress.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in starting your business and why?
Omg, having my website shut down was probably my biggest obstacle and it was a surprising and confusing moment for me. I came back home one day and went on my site only for it to show ‘php error’. I was freaking out but I just had to bury my head down and think of a solution. I knew giving up wasn’t even an option and I had invested some money in my blog, especially since I was self-hosting. So I had to spend money again to get a new domain, theme and get my site up and running. That was in April 2017, I’ve learned a lot from that experience.
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There’s a quote which says ‘success comes when preparation meets opportunity’
If you could, what would you say to the younger version of you?
Use your youth wisely. All those cutting corners and messing about won’t pay off. Be good, do good. Enjoy each moment. You don’t want to live life with regrets so do good. And be open, don’t hide your feelings, ask for help when you need it. Let God be your best friend. A personal relationship with God is the key to a successful and fulfilling life.
What advice would you give to anyone who is just starting on their business?
Make sure you know why you are starting and what you really want to do. You’ve got to be passionate and truly interested and willing to invest in your business. And it’s one thing to start but it’s another thing to continue. Consistency will unlock opportunities. It’s your key to success. If you hang in there and you show up, the opportunities will come knocking. There will be hard times but let your passion keep you going.
Where can people find you?
You can find me on my blog Motty Inspires, Twitter and Instagram.
Keep Pushing
Vanessa Gowora