We've all heard the glamorous tales of success, but what about the messy, soul-shaking truth of building from nothing? Entrepreneur Fola takes us on a raw and honest journey through his rock-bottom moment—a period of betrayal, financial loss, and disillusionment that left him feeling like a failure. In this deeply personal talk, he shares how a moment of crisis became a classroom for clarity. Drawing on the principles from the book Midas Touch, Dada offers five essential tools for anyone looking to build a purpose-driven life or business: character, focus, brand, relationships, and the discipline of "the little things." This talk is a powerful and candid reminder that resilience, not rejection, is the true forge of an entrepreneur, and that the greatest triumphs often begin when we dare to rebuild ourselves from the ground up. Fola Oyedeji is a seasoned engineer and real estate developer with over half a decade of experience. He has facilitated real estate investments for over 1000 individuals locally and internationally, contributing to his vision of making affordable, top-quality real estate accessible to people across Nigeria and in diaspora.As the Founder and Group Managing Director of Experience Vision Creations (EVC), Fola specializes in innovative real estate solutions. He has developed key operational initiatives, driving substantial business growth and reducing the housing deficit in Africa. Under his leadership, EVC has successfully designed and developed prominent real estate projects, expanding into Ibadan, Lagos and Ogun.Fola's prowess in recommending company products and services to clients has secured over $2 million in sales revenue in 2024. Through his leadership and dedication, EVC has received numerous accolades, including the Housing Hero award in Ilorin from the Drive Leadership Network,The Trailblazer of the Year for 2024 as he also made the list of Power Brokers in Kwara for the Year 2024 by Kwarapedia.Fola holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Ilorin and has completed courses in management and corporate strategy at Lagos Business School. He is a member of several professional associations, including the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Nigerian Society of Engineers, Rotary International, the Forbes BLK community and the National Association of Technologists in Engineering.Fola's journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to transforming the real estate landscape in Africa. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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