Interview With Lateef Olajide (aka Rich Kid)

I need to clear my throat or is it shake my pen a little? It is getting pretty interesting on this website. During the course of last week, NaijaMotivation was granted four interview requests and it couldn’t get any better than this

Today, I have someone with an interesting story with us. He is somebody that has gone from rag to riches and from zero to becoming a hero. This is a young man that started with nothing but a dream and is now a global phenomenon. I can’t begin to say how our path crossed, but it started several years ago while I was still wandering on the Internet.

This young man was already making waves as far as 2002, when running online business was still not know over here. His name seems to crop up every where on the Internet and I used to think I was relating with a BIG man until our path crossed and I found out he was just a young guy with a passion to make a difference. I can go on and on about this GREAT guy and you will not have the time to read the interview.

Join me as we go into a DEEP discovery of the story of this young guru, Lateef Olajide

1) May we know you?
Hmm! Ok. My name is Lateef Olajide.

2) Can you share with our readers what was growing up like for you?
Hey, very interesting. It’s really, really rough but looking back now it’s interesting.

3) Can you share some of those rough moments with us because it is always believed that things have always been the ways it is for successful people
Ok. Let me start with a very funny one. When I was in primary five (last term) and it was time to choose school prefect. I was selected to become the senior prefect and I was faced with two hurdles. One, I must score highest mark in special paper test. And I must be able to convince the panel. Immediately I knew that I will scale the first hurdle. You know what, I eventually scaled it. When it was time to face the panel, one of them pointed the attention of others to my school uniform.

See, I had patched my uniform several times several times before then. I lost it on the spot. They decided to give it to the guy behind me in the paper test. But I didn’t lose hope. I new it was my right. So I made up my mind to do everything possible to claim it before they announce the guy preceding Monday. Over the weekend, I raised money and got myself a new uniform and persuaded a tailor (one of our neighbours) to sew it for me. By Sunday evening I now have new uniform.

The elected Office Prefect and Janitor live very close to my place. I met them on Sunday night and told them of my plan and request they come early to school on Monday – the D – Day.

On Monday we got to school early I opened a register for Prefects to write their names and the time they got to school. That singular act made the difference. It has never happened before then. My name was number one on the list followed by my two friends (the Janitor and Office boy). Immediately, we organized the cleaning of the school premises. Before 7.30 everywhere was tidy and ready for school activities. All the teachers, including the headmaster, were stunned.

The headmaster requested for the brain behind the whole arrangement and the Office boy pointed at me. At that point we decided to show him the Prefect’s Register. The fellow expected to be announced as the Head Prefect because of his neat cloth was far behind on the list. That was how he lost out and I claimed my titled back.

I was announced the school prefect.

Let me see what I can remember again.

Here is another one; I had to travel several kilometers everyday during holiday period to work with farmers, as a labourer when I was young. I mean really young. I was around 9yrs when I started doing that.

As a young adult in Lagos, I fought with “Molue” (bus) conductors for months all because I couldn’t pay transport fare.

It was rough, tough and interesting.

4) Wow! This is a story worth brooding over. Somebody has to print this as a reference. It is VERY important. Are you married?
About to marry.

5) I have asked others this question and I am going to ask you too. Tell us the day that changed your life?

When I was 8 my dad came home from work one night and broke the news that he’s been sacked after serving the company for years. I know my father to be a complete honest man. So I couldn’t comprehend the reason why he was sacked and I made up my mind that I will never work for anybody except myself in my life.

6) Wow! At age 8? I can’t even remember what I was doing there. Now tell us, the journey so far, how did you get started and how has it been all the way?
It all started with mail order business that I stared with $12 contract fee and N3, 500 promotion fee. Years later I got to know about internet. It took me couple of years to really understand the system. In short, it’s been great so far. Though I’m not where I’m going yet.

7) To a lay man, can you briefly explain what mail order business is all about?
It’s simply selling good through mail (using post office). You advertise the product in publications that your audience reads, usually a classified advert. They will respond by sending letter to you through post office. You go to the post office, get the letters – send another letter explaining the content of your offer and how they can pay for it. Then they pay to bank or send money order. When you receive payment, you send their product using the post office.

Thank you for that explanation. Now we will like to know, what has been the role of dreams in your life?
When I made up my mind to be somebody at the age of 8, little did I know that it will shape my life. Since, then it has been my dream. It is simply great.

9) Do you have any regret in following your dreams?
No!

10) What are the most important lesson(s) you have learnt in life?
You can remember I told you earlier that it took me couple of years to understand internet marketing system. The reason why it was so was because my concentration was on ‘ME’ and not on ‘OTHER’ people. So one important lesson I learnt the hard way in my life is to focus more on other people. Give value. And other things will be added on to you.

Another one is importance of taking instant ACTION. Charging first and asking question later, living like a RHINO and not a Cow.

Next to that is relying on others. My motto now is ‘if it’s up to be, it’s up to me’.

11) Now you have raised another topic, Rhino and Cow principle, what does that mean and how can people benefit from the principle?
These two animals have lots of different characteristics. Cow as we know like following herds, moo a lot, seat around a lot and doesn’t take action until herdsman hit it. On the other hand, Rhino is a well know dangerous animal, it doesn’t moo, doesn’t seat around like cow, and it take action always.

Some people out there behave like cow. They complain a lot of how bad things are in the country instead of doing something about it.

12) Do you have Role Models or Mentors?
Models
Dead:

Prophet Mohammed (SAW)
Jesus Christ
Chief MKO Abiola – for his philanthropic lifestyle.

Alive

My Father – for his honesty, love and kindness.

Mentors

My Dad
Dr. Sunny Ojeagbase
Tom Beal
Jim. F. Straw

13) Books? What roles have they played in your life?
Honestly, I can’t explain this well. The effect has been tremendous. If I am to ever regret anything in my life, it will surely be not learning to read books on motivation, entrepreneurship, marketing, and life early enough.

14) That is great. It was one regret I had then as well. I started reading at the other side of 20. Do you have any recommended readings?
Endless list. Honestly, endless.

15) Just give us some please.
Hey, the list is endless. I have over 900 on my shelf already (and still buying) don’t know one to recommend. Sorry.

16) What would you have been doing if you are not doing what you are doing now?
I would have been a detective.

17) Why a detective?
Hey, it’s simple. It’s my strength.

18) Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years from now?
Greater Height! — By the grace of God.

19) Amen. Now tell us, how do you catch fun in spite of your schedules?
I see everything I do as fun.

20) It is like most successful people see their work as fun. Do you agree with that and what advice do you have for someone in regards to this?
Well make sure you love what you do. It’s either you love it or quit. Simple. It’s not always about money.

21) In your own opinion, how can Nigeria be great again?
It’s up to individual Nigerians.

22) That means you believe in the principle of personal responsibility?
Yes, Bola. That is what I believe we need now.

23) On a last note, what advice do you have for our readers?
Whatever you do, do it well.

I hope you enjoyed and learnt from this interview. No matter who you are, know that it is NEVER too late to make a difference with your life. It all begins with a dream and a decision.

Make your life count

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