FORWARD Spotlight: Redefining Success Through Faith, Grit, and Hard work as an African Talent. An Interview with Stephen Ogbonna

Ogbonnaya Stephen is an MBA candidate at the Feliciano School of Business, Montclair State University, and a graduate of Economics from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria.

Before relocating to the U.S. in Fall 2024, he worked as a senior copywriter for a Miami-based AI-fintech startup. Over five years, he has helped businesses across Asia, North America, and Africa generate over $3 million in revenue as a direct response copywriter.

Ogbonnaya is an active member of the National Black MBA Association, Beyond Borders Network, and ForbesBLK. He also serves as an advisory board member of Montclair State University’s International Student Association, underscoring his dedication to supporting diverse, global perspectives.

Passionate about entrepreneurship and the transformative power of high-value skills, Ogbonnaya envisions these as pivotal tools to reposition Africa from a pool of unemployed youth to a global hub of talent. He aspires to be a pioneer of this movement as he progresses in his professional career and entrepreneurial endeavors. Stephen Ogbonnaya

What sparked your passion for copywriting?

To be honest, I wouldn’t say I was, or even am, passionate about copywriting. A lot of people spend their precious time searching for their passion, only to realize it’s almost nonexistent.

When you find yourself stuck in a ditch, your focus isn’t on finding the perfect ladder—you just need something to get you out. The ladder isn’t the goal; it’s the tool.

That’s how I see things.

My passion wasn’t for writing words or crafting ads. My passion was for freedom—for financial independence. Copywriting just happened to be the ladder I found to help me achieve that at the time. And mind you, copywriting wasn’t the first thing I tried after leaving university.

First, I tried designing and selling African-inspired accessories for women. I had a vision, but I couldn’t find a bag maker who could meet the quality I wanted. After paying two different producers for samples, I realized it was better to let the idea go than risk losing more money.

Next, I ventured into designing men’s neckties. That didn’t work either. The markets in Aba were already flooded with cheaper, ready-made ties, and no one cared about my “bespoke” designs. I lost all the money I’d invested in that as well.

Then one evening, I had an idea: why not sell bulk SMS services? It was a skill I’d picked up in university, so I decided to give it a shot. The very next morning, I borrowed a friend’s laptop and went out to find customers in Ariaria Market, one of the largest markets in West Africa. I found one trader who agreed to my service, and for a brief moment, I felt accomplished. But that was it. Days of walking through the market, pitching to traders, led to nothing.

A few weeks later, something incredible happened. God led me to a tweet by Ronald Nzimora (God bless him), where he shared how learning copywriting had changed his life. I was intrigued—imagine earning so much money without ever leaving the comfort of your home! I started reading more of his tweets, and eventually, I dove in.

I spent the next few days devouring everything I could find about copywriting. Four months of toiling later, I landed my first client on Facebook. He paid me $50 to write social media captions for their business. It wasn’t much, but it was my first win.

Fast forward five years, and I had a retainer client paying over 100 times that amount per month for my work.

That’s how I found myself in the copywriting world. It wasn’t passion that brought me here—it was necessity, ambition, and the vision God placed in my heart for financial independence. Copywriting became the means to an end: a ladder out of the ditch. It gave me the life I dreamed of—a comfortable one in Lagos, free of financial worries. It allowed me to help others, pay bills, and plan for the future.

⁠How did you secure the job abroad, and what challenges did you overcome?

How I secured this job was nothing short of a miracle from God. Before it happened, I went 11 months without a single client after deciding to stop working with Nigerian clients. I had made up my mind—I wouldn’t settle for less anymore, knowing I could earn more working with international clients.

But let me make one thing clear: those Nigerian clients were the foundation of my journey. They gave me the opportunity to harness my skills, to grow as a copywriter. Without them, I wouldn’t have learned how to deliver great work or gained the confidence to pitch to foreign clients. So, I had to outgrow them. That’s the word—outgrow. You can’t skip steps in the process. You must start somewhere.

After 11 months without a client, losing my mother, and feeling utterly defeated, God knew it was time for a breakthrough. About three months earlier, I stumbled across a video about Upwork. It explained how the platform was better than the other freelancing sites I had tried. I decided to give it a shot.

I spent weeks perfecting my profile and applying for jobs that matched my skill set. I filtered my searches for clients who had spent over $100k on the site, had 5-star ratings from other freelancers, and were based in the U.S. or U.K. I wanted prospects who valued quality work. Then, I went on an application spree—for three whole months.

Around the same time, my pastor from Aba came to Lagos for a program. Knowing the significance of spiritual authority, I borrowed money from our house rent savings (I was living with my sisters then) and sowed a small seed into my pastor’s ministry. It was an act of faith, and a week later, things began to change.

I received three invites.

The first client offered me $500—a lot of money to me at the time. The second was still in the process of scheduling a meeting. Then, during one of my midnight prayers, God spoke to me to check my phone. I did, and there was a message from the third client.

In less than 30 minutes, we reached an agreement, and I started the project. Three days later, I delivered my first job. He loved it—it was “love at first sight,” as they say. That single project turned into an ongoing working relationship that lasted until I moved to the U.S. this fall.

Looking back, the biggest challenges I faced were internal—self-doubt, impatience, and inconsistency. Overcoming these was key to my progress. If you can push through these struggles and maintain an unquenchable thirst for knowledge in your field, you’ll grow.

Of course, there were external challenges too: the stigma surrounding African talent and the constant need to prove your ability to deliver high-quality work. But if you stick with it, trust in God, and keep improving, you’ll scale those hurdles too.

What has your experiences been like working and living in the diaspora. Are there any Milestones you’re proud of at the moment?

Moving to the U.S. has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and a major achievement, considering how long I’ve wanted to be here. I was rejected a year earlier, and even with two offers from the UK and one from Canada, I couldn’t get the U.S. out of my mind. God knew this was where I was meant to be. Now, three months in, I can confidently say the experience has been nothing short of amazing.

I currently live with my uncle, and I would advise anyone moving to the U.S. to stay with family if you have relatives willing to accommodate you. Beyond the cost-saving benefits, nothing compares to being around people who genuinely have your best interests at heart. Their wealth of experience in the country and their guidance have been invaluable. I’m truly grateful for them.

Living in the U.S. these past few months has challenged me in new ways and allowed me to grow personally and professionally. I see it as an opportunity to reinvent myself and explore new versions of who I can become—and it’s been deeply rewarding. I’ve met incredible people: my MBA classmates, the inspiring Beyond Borders community, and amazing connections at the Wharton Africa Business Forum in Philadelphia. These individuals have now become a part of my journey.

What I’m most proud of so far are the networks I’ve built. I’ve met people I never imagined I would encounter. I’m now a member of the National Black MBA Association and ForbesBLK, and I’ve been accepted to join the board advisory for my university’s first International Student Association. There’s so much more in the pipeline, and for all of this, I give thanks to God.

For anyone considering this journey, I would say follow God’s leading and trust Him completely. He has been faithful in my life. As for opportunities, they abound here, but you need to be proactive in seeking them while ensuring you stay within your visa requirements.

Can you share a tip or more for others aiming to follow a similar path?

Have a Vision. Moving to a new country won’t automatically change who you are. If you want to thrive, you must have a clear vision and work intentionally toward your goals. I was already doing well in Nigeria, which gave me the clarity and confidence to move forward without desperation.

Know What You Want. What’s your 5-year plan? Does the UK, U.S., or Canada fit into it? Don’t jeopardize your future just to impress people with snow pictures. Instead, focus on where God is leading you and make decisions aligned with your purpose.

Don’t Wait for Passion. You don’t need passion to start—just a willingness to explore. Try your hand at different things that align with your goals until you find your place. I still have a long way to go, but I’m building on a strong foundation. You can do the same.

Be Committed to God. “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Success in any realm—whether in kingdoms or industries—requires alignment with an authority. Trust God and leave nothing to chance.

Dream Big. Being African is an advantage, not a disadvantage. It gives you a sense of pride and uniqueness that attracts valuable people into your life. See it as a strength.

Join Reasonable Communities. Life is tough enough—don’t try to go it alone. Find your tribe and stay connected. For example, Laiza was the first person who gave me the first valuable information on how to navigate my journey when I arrived here. Communities like Beyond Borders Network are great examples of places where you can grow and find support. 

I wish you all the best in your journey. And remember, I’m always here to help.

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