I’m Inspired By My Future

When I was a child, I had very big dreams. I grew up as an only child, so I never knew what it was like to have siblings. I didn’t have competition, and apart from my parents, I didn’t really have anyone else to look up to or be inspired by. I wanted so many things. I wanted to be a lawyer. I wanted to own a clothing store. I wanted to be medical doctor. I wanted to be a fashion designer. I wanted to own several cars, especially a red convertible car.
When I used to dream as a child and even as an adult, I never dreamed of my money coming from someone other than myself. I always thought about things I could do to make more money, and my mom was a huge inspiration. I have never known her to not work. She always had a job. Sure, both my parents were medical doctors and my dad owned his own clinic, but while my mom worked with him sometimes, she also held a full-time position at the state hospital. I never knew mom to need money from dad. He provided, but she was more than capable of doing so, too. Now that I’m older, my dreams have changed, but I have not stopped dreaming. If anything, my dreams have become bigger and more elaborate. Igwe has his dreams, I have mine, and together, we have dreams together. I am no longer motivated just because I want a red convertible car – in fact, I don’t want a convertible anymore (for now) – but I am inspired to be my own woman, to be the best version of myself, and so far, I don’t even know what that might be. There’s a future I envision, and to attain that future, I have to be financially prudent. There is so much I am still learning. For example, 5 years ago, I did not think about retirement, but now it’s something I always think about.

I throw my hat off to all independent women, especially my own mother. She is so strong and can thrive and excel under any circumstance. She is always willing to do what needs to be done to achieve what needs to be achieved. I don’t want to just make money, I want to create wealth. I am not trying to just create wealth for myself, but also for my children, my children’s children, and of course, my mommy. I am inspired to be my own shot caller. I want to be in charge of my time. I want to decide when I start work and when I finish. I want to decide when I take a vacation and for how long.

Although I have always wanted to be independent, it was not until about 5 years ago that it really dawned on me how important this was. My mom was in between jobs and very, very stressed out. I had a part-time job that paid peanuts, and I felt absolutely helpless and useless. That is not a feeling I ever want to have again.

Having only one source of income, especially a little one is no way to live. As a Nigerian woman living in the United States, my work is cut out for me. I am not only worried about taking care of my family in America, but also my family in Nigeria. And that’s why I am so excited about Prudential’s mission to inspire women to own their financial security. I want to own it, and I want to get it right the first time around. I don’t know everything, but Prudential has the answers to my questions. I am excited at the future, and I cannot wait to start living it.

Share how you were inspired to be who you are today, and join the growing community of #womeninspired