CEO of Zara Boutique, Richard Brown, popularly known as ‘Osebo,’ has shared how pushing trucks after dropping out of senior high school became a turning point in his life, a period that led him to meet a man he now calls his “destiny helper.”
Speaking to Irene Adubea Aning on The Career Trail programme on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, Osebo revealed that he spent four years pushing trucks after dropping out in Form 4 because his family could not afford his education.
“It wasn’t easy, but I decided to do it. It was better than stealing,” he said.
“Through that work, I met an elderly man who always came for me. Whenever I gave him my service, he would not pay, but I never saw anything wrong because my father taught me to respect everyone, whether rich or poor,“ he continued.
One day, the man finally handed him money and invited him to his village.
“When I got to his house, they welcomed me, offered a chair and water. Then he came back with a brown envelope. Inside was a passport. He told me that the passport could take me to Germany or Italy. He added that he had never seen a young man so God-fearing and respectful,” Osebo recalled.
With the passport in hand, Osebo prepared to travel abroad.
“I used the money I had saved from pushing trucks, and my mother also contributed a sewing machine and some clothes to help me start my journey,” he revealed.
Upon arriving in Italy, he immediately began working, selling products door-to-door for a Nigerian-owned company.
“The work was tough. I went house to house, ringing bells, getting people’s attention. Some didn’t buy anything at first, only offering a small contribution. But within minutes, my pocket would be full. The sun was scorching, but I didn’t feel it, I was enjoying seeing money and knowing I could help my family,” he recalled.
Osebo’s dedication quickly caught his employer’s attention. After his first day of exceeding expectations, he was given a larger sales zone, where he consistently sold multiple bags of products daily.
Within one year, he sent 500 Deutsch Marks to his parents to fund his younger sibling’s education in Germany. Over the next two years, he sent more money to support another sibling to study in Holland, and within three years, another to the UK. By the fourth year, he had also helped a cousin to Amsterdam.
“God doesn’t use years; He uses time. What is written for you will manifest at the right time,” he acknowledged.
Reflecting on the experience, Osebo emphasised the importance of character in recognising life-changing opportunities.
“Everybody needs a destiny changer. You won’t see it on their forehead, but your behavior, humility, and respect will guide them to you,” he advised.
“That man was my destiny helper, because of him, my life has never been the same,” he concluded.
Last week, we introduced the 14th episode of The Career Trail New Edition, which explored Osebo’s early life and the challenges he faced. Don’t miss the next part of the story this Saturday, September 20, where he reveals how he turned his experiences abroad into a thriving fashion business in Ghana
Remember, the episode will air at 4pm on Joy Learning on 6:30pm on Joy News.