A Sudden Shift: From Comfort to Hardship
Stephen Akorede’s story is a testament to resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to creating lasting impact. It begins in a place of comfort and stability—growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended private school and lived a life many would consider privileged. But as life often does, it threw an unexpected curveball. Stephen’s family encountered difficulties and separation, leading to a move from Lagos to another city, marking the beginning of a challenging chapter in his young life.
Facing New Realities: Lessons From Hawking
Suddenly, Stephen was in an entirely different environment, attending a public school. He was no longer in a world where comfort was guaranteed. In those early days, the weight of change was palpable. Within weeks of starting at the new school, he was beaten by girls his age—a stark contrast to the life of ease he once knew. His new friends spoke of hardships he had never encountered—hawking goods after school to support their families. Stephen was drawn to these stories, and soon, he too was helping his mother sell snacks after classes. What started as a means to support his family quickly became a defining period in his life. He says he would walk up to 30 kilometers a day sometimes, knocking on doors, making sales, and unknowingly laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial spirit.
Building Grit: The Scholarship and a Life-Changing Mentor
Those five years weren’t just about selling snacks; they were about developing grit, survival, and the determination to rise above circumstances. Stephen’s tenacity was rewarded when he earned a scholarship to a secondary school where he met Rev. Tobby Emmanuel, a mentor who would play a pivotal role in shaping his perspective on life and business. Under Rev. Tobby’s guidance, Stephen began to see the possibilities ahead of him. No longer defined by his past struggles, he saw himself as someone who could build something meaningful from the ground up.
Finding His Calling in the Career world: Real Estate and Rest Realty
As Stephen ventured into the professional world, his entrepreneurial journey was far from easy. He dabbled in several industries—stocks, forex, agriculture, poultry farming, fintech, even the automobile business—facing numerous setbacks along the way. But one thing remained constant: Stephen’s determination to find something tangible, something that could withstand the test of time. That search led him to real estate.
Turning Dreams Into Reality: The Birth of Rest Realty
It wasn’t just about making money or leveraging his knowledge of the industry. For Stephen, real estate was a way to connect with something substantial. “Even if I were out of business, I knew I wouldn’t be out of assets because they would keep appreciating,” he reflects. This long-term vision led him to co-found Rest Realty, a real estate firm focused on co-ownership, accessibility, and profitability. Rest Realty wasn’t just a business—it was a mission. Stephen had seen how difficult it could be for people to access property, and he was determined to change that.
Early Struggles: Building a Business in Unfinished Spaces
But success didn’t come overnight. He shared about his first registered business In the early days, Kwis Multiservices operated out of an unfinished building. Stephen laughs as he recalls his first staff interviews, where candidates wondered if the building was for a fintech company or a warehouse. “We started with nothing but dreams and determination,” he says. When COVID hit, the challenges only increased, but the pandemic also provided an opportunity to regroup, complete the building, and refine their vision.
A Major Setback: Losing $250,000 and Rebuilding From Scratch
One of the hardest lessons Stephen learned came in 2021 when one of his brands suffered a major financial loss after trusting the wrong person. The fallout was devastating—he lost $250,000 and was left with debts amounting to $96,000. “Imagine watching everything you’ve built crumble while struggling to pay off debts, feeling the weight of emotional trauma, broken relationships, social trolls, being tagged a failure, defamations, and sleepless nights,” Stephen recalls. He describes the pain of not even being able to afford a meal after once being able to afford almost anything.
Turning Setbacks Into Stepping Stones
But even in the face of such adversity, Stephen refused to give up. He learned to be resilient, patient, and focused on delayed gratification. He pulled himself back up and began rebuilding, brick by brick. “We’re not stopping anytime soon,” he says confidently, already envisioning the day he will write about his debt-free journey and inspire others.
Redefining Success: Obedience and Purpose
Stephen’s professional journey has evolved, but his definition of success has deepened over time. For him, success is about staying obedient to his God-given purpose. It’s not just about wealth or accolades, but about using his talents to impact lives positively. As he builds Rest Realty, he’s also working on rebuilding another venture that focuses on banking the unbanked, a crucial need in society which failed due to the loss. At the same time, he is fostering a community of “Kingdompreneurs”—entrepreneurs who align their businesses with their faith and purpose, mentoring them as they navigate their own paths.
Mentorship and Guidance: Learning From the Best
Looking back, Stephen credits his mentors, including figures like Rev. Tobby Emmanuel, Pst Chris Oyakhilome, Rev Toluwalogo Agboola, and Olakunle Soriyan among others, for shaping his approach to life and business. He’s learned the importance of asking questions and seeking counsel, believing in the power of mentorship and community.
Building a Legacy: An Advocate of Impactful Living
As he looks to the future, Stephen is focused on building a legacy—one that centers on lifting others, activating purpose, and putting smiles on people’s faces. He wants to be remembered as “an advocate of impactful living,” someone who made a difference in the lives of others, not just through his businesses, but through his God given purpose, commitment to creating opportunities and guiding others to realize their potential.
A Story of Resilience, Vision, and Purpose
Stephen Akorede’s journey is a powerful reminder that even from humble beginnings, greatness can emerge. His story is one of resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that with God’s guidance and determination, any obstacle can be transformed into a stepping stone toward a meaningful and impactful life.
