Ep. 94 - Turning Survival into Service: Kelvin Sampson JRF
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Welcome to the show.
Sometimes the hardest journeys create the strongest platforms to help others.
I had an incredible conversation with Kelvin Sampson from Nigeria, CEO of KD Squares and one of the most inspiring people I've met. This young man's journey from literally going hungry for days to building a globally recognized tech company is absolutely extraordinary.
Key Points:
- Born into poverty, lived with extended family, struggled through university and beyond
- Hit rock bottom after graduation - went without food for days, had to engage in dangerous illegal activities just to survive
- Started freelance writing at $1 per 500 words, working 10,000 words some days just to get by
- Built KD Squares (named after partners King, Kelvin, Denzel, David) as a mission-driven company empowering young Africans with digital skills
- Now globally recognized: 3rd best web design company worldwide, 5th in business intelligence, working with 100+ companies across 20+ countries
The Mission:
Instead of young talent turning to cybercrime for quick money, KD Squares provides legitimate pathways through digital skills training.
Kelvin's living proof that there's a better way than taking shortcuts that hurt communities.
From Teaching to Tech:
Even during his darkest days, Kelvin was teaching in secondary schools - always had that moral compass of helping others while helping himself. That ethos drives everything he does today.
Global Impact:
The company has multiple international awards and accolades, providing social proof to young Africans that legitimate success is possible through hard work and skill development.
The ONE Thing:
True success isn't just about climbing out of your circumstances - it's about building platforms to help others do the same.
Kelvin's journey from survival mode to global recognition shows what's possible when you combine necessity, initiative, and genuine desire to lift up your community.
Connect with Steve:
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