As the year winds down and we reflect on the past twelve months, it’s only natural to start envisioning what the next year might hold.  

If you’re seeking inspiration to ignite your creativity and productivity in 2025, these four creator stories that were released in 2024, are really worth revisiting.  

Each story highlights an amazing creator who overcame challenges to reach their goals, reminding us that with perseverance, creativity, dedication, and a positive mindset, anything is possible.  

Take a moment to explore these journeys and let them motivate you to take bold steps toward your passions in the year ahead.

Pasheda

Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart, and Pasheda’s journey proves it. From bad product batches to financial missteps, she’s faced the kind of challenges that make many people throw in the towel. And at one point, she did.

First, an experience involving makeup products in transit that got misplaced. They were worth about a hundred thousand naira, and shaken, she shut down her business. Looking back, she realizes she could have recovered if she had been more resilient. “Grow a spine,” she says. Failure is part of the process—you win some, you lose some.

And she did. Her second business, an organic soap business, hit a major snag when a bad batch of products led to complaints from customers. Though the issue was minor—a smell problem—it shook her confidence. One particularly upset customer from Abuja even sent her angry messages. But instead of losing that customer forever, Pasheda turned the situation around by going above and beyond. She replaced the faulty product and added extra items as a peace offering. That customer? She became one of Pasheda’s most loyal advocates, referring countless others to her brand!

Her second business taught her an equally tough lesson: structure is everything. Without proper financial systems, she found herself spending business money as if it were personal income. When a crisis hit, she didn’t have the resources to recover. That mistake reinforced the importance of separating personal and business finances, building systems, and planning for the unexpected.

Now, with her third business, Zida Jewelry, Pasheda has learned to prioritize structure and resilience. Every process is documented, so her business can run smoothly even if she’s not there

Lessons from Pasheda’s Journey

1. Failure is normal—don’t panic: When things go wrong, it’s tempting to walk away. But as Pasheda learned, resilience is key. A bad batch or a tough customer isn’t the end of the road; it’s an opportunity to improve.
2. Turn complaints Into connections: How you handle mistakes can make or break your reputation. Pasheda’s decision to go the extra mile for an angry customer turned a critic into a loyal advocate.
3. Structure is your safety net: Running a business without systems is like flying blind. Processes, documentation, and financial discipline are non-negotiable if you want to scale and sustain your efforts.

Fareedah 

For Fareedah Abdulsalaam, cooking wasn’t just a hobby—it was a personal journey to improve her diet and eating habits. What started as an experiment soon became a passion project when she began documenting her recipes online. Her posts quickly caught attention, and questions poured in: What are you eating? How do you make this?

That’s when she realized her love for cooking could grow into something bigger.

But juggling a full-time job as a marketer, and her budding creator career wasn’t easy. At first, she struggled to stay consistent. She would wake up, decide to shoot content on a whim, and end up completely drained. The lack of structure was exhausting and unsustainable.

Over time, Fareedah found her rhythm. She set boundaries, created a schedule, and brought in help. Now, she films recipes in batches on designated shoot days, often with the help of a kitchen assistant. For lighter content—like trends or quick meals from leftovers—she handles those herself. This system allows her to stay productive without sacrificing her energy or her 9-5 commitments.

Fareedah’s journey is a masterclass in learning to manage your time, embrace support, and build a sustainable creative routine.

Lessons from Fareedah’s Journey 

1. Set boundaries to avoid burnout: Fareedah learned the hard way that randomly creating content isn’t sustainable. By structuring her shoot days, she regained control of her time and energy.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Hiring a kitchen assistant was a game-changer for Fareedah. Delegating tasks can help you focus on what you do best and avoid overwhelm.
3. Balance is a journey, not a destination: Managing a full-time job alongside content creation is tough, but it’s doable with intentional planning and flexibility. Fareedah’s story is proof that you can pursue your passion without sacrificing your career.

Busayo Joan

For Busayo Joan, creativity was a lifeline during one of the toughest periods of her life. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone into isolation, she found herself in a dark place, feeling lost and without purpose. That’s when she began writing poetry—raw, emotional pieces that captured her struggles.  

Encouraged by a secondary school teacher who once told her she had a talent for writing, and very supportive friends, Busayo applied for a poetry mentorship program. This program became a turning point. It not only sharpened her skills but also expanded her perspective on what poetry could be. She learned to weave storytelling into her poems, breaking free from conventional structures.  

In 2021, Busayo started growing her online presence but found herself battling self-doubt and the urge to compare her journey to others. Her progress felt slow, and at times, she questioned whether she was good enough. But with the support of her sisters and a reminder of why she started, she stayed true to her unique voice.  

Fast forward to 2023, Busayo’s big break came in October. By then, she had grown her following from 13,000 at the start of the year to 50,000. Her journey wasn’t without challenges, but her commitment to originality, consistency, and staying aligned with her brand helped her carve out a space in the crowded world of content creation.  

Revisit: 4 Creator Stories You Should Revisit While Preparing for 2024

Lessons from Busayo Joan’s Journey 

1. Seek mentorship to grow: The poetry mentorship program didn’t just refine Busayo’s skills; it expanded her understanding of what she could achieve as a writer. Mentorship can open doors to new possibilities.  
2. Comparison is the thief of joy: Busayo struggled with comparing herself to others, which stalled her progress. Her story is a reminder that every journey is unique, and success takes time.
3. Consistency builds legacy:    Busayo’s growth from 13,000 to 50,000 followers didn’t just happen—it reflected years of effort. Her dedication to consistently creating content ensured that when her audience grew, there was already a body of work for them to connect with.  

Chidera Peters

Chidera Peters didn’t always know she would end up as a personal finance coach. But looking back, it makes perfect sense. She started in the fintech world, working as a manager by day, but the more she learned about money and how it worked, the more she realized there was something missing. Something that needed to be shared.

As she gained more insight into personal finance, she began sharing that knowledge with others—particularly immigrants in the UK who were in the same boat, trying to make sense of a new financial landscape.

Chidera’s journey into finance coaching wasn’t an overnight success. It was a process of trial, error, and constant learning. But one thing became clear: the need for accessible financial advice was huge. So, she started sharing what she learned, believing that people needed to hear this information, too.

Lessons from Chidera’s Journey

1. Pay yourself first: One of the first lessons Chidera teaches her clients is simple but crucial: pay yourself first. “This is something I’ve noticed with a lot of clients. People spend money on a lot of other things and decide to save what’s left. And that’s not prioritizing yourself.” So set aside a percentage of your income for savings before budgeting for expenses. 
2. Track your finances: Set aside time each month to review your finances, track your income, and adjust your spending to stay on track.
3. Keep your savings in a different account: “It’s not a good idea to leave all your money in one place because you tend to spend more due to the illusion that you have more money,” Chidera explains. By moving your savings into a separate account, you can stick to your budget and avoid the temptation to dip into your savings.

Key Takeaways 

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the journey we’ve had over the past twelve months. This period allows us to evaluate our experiences—both the triumphs and the challenges—and consider how they’ve shaped our path moving forward.

It’s also an opportunity to think about the goals we want to set for the year ahead and the resolutions we aim to make. This process becomes even more meaningful when we look to those around us who inspire us and serve as role models.

Here are some of our major takeaways from the stories above:

1. You have to be consistent and patient: in all the stories shared, there was a trend of growth taking time. There’s so much to gain by sticking to the course and staying true to yourself. Create content that reflects who you are and resonates with your audience.
2. Show up for your community: Focus on building relationships with your followers and engaging with them meaningfully to create a loyal community. Like Pasheda who would go the extra mile for a begrudged client and convert them into a fan, you can do so much by going the extra mile. 
3. Embrace the learning process: Overcoming the initial struggles of content creation requires being comfortable with learning and evolving. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, adapt and grow as a creator.
4. Growth takes time: Success is not instant. Busayo’s story shows that consistency and patience are key, and the more you show up, the more people will recognize and appreciate your work. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, staying consistent is crucial for long-term success.
5. Your finances are so important: Regularly review your financial situation to understand your spending and plan for the future