From Lost to Found: Akinsola Esther’s Journey of Resilience and Transformation
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
Akinsola Esther never imagined that one email could change her life. She was working as a freelance content writer for an Australian company, enjoying the stability that came with it. Then, one day, she woke up to the news that the startup had been bought by a company in Los Angeles. No one contacted her. No explanation was given. She only heard from colleagues that they had all been let go.
At first, she waited, hoping the new company would reach out and give her a role. But weeks passed, and nothing happened. It was a tough lesson—one that taught her that freelancers should never rely on just one job. She had to start over.
Determined to find another opportunity, Esther landed a job with a travel company in Italy. But from day two, her boss made it clear—if she didn’t deliver immediate results, she would be fired. The company was new, with no digital assets, and she knew she was set up to fail. Out of desperation, she had started the job without signing a contract. A costly mistake. After putting in hours of work worth €1000, she was only offered $250. She refused. In the end, she walked away unpaid and discouraged.
She went back to job hunting, but doors kept closing. With no steady income, she used all her savings to care for herself and her two siblings. The rejections hurt the most. She made it to the third round of some interviews, feeling hopeful, only to be turned down at the last moment. Every time she prayed, all she heard was that God would grant her speed and that the days ahead would be better. So, she clung to hope and a Bible passage: 1 Kings 18:41-46.
For nine months, she had no job. She spent her days learning new skills, building her resilience, and trusting the process. At the same time, she was studying at the London School of Journalism, preparing to choose a niche for her degree. Reflecting on her experience with the Italian startup, she thought, "Maybe I should do something in travel."
That decision changed everything.
She started reaching out to travel publications, sending internship requests to 20 different outlets. Many responded, but most were either not taking interns or were too far away. Then, she contacted one of the largest travel magazines in the world. She told them she was a real person, that they could count on her. And they did. She was recruited.
That internship opened new doors. Soon after, she landed a role as Chief Marketing Officer at a Miami-based travel company. Just two months later, she launched her own travel marketing company in the UK. Today, she works as an International Marketing Manager, helping travel and tourism companies across EMEA and the Caribbean grow their businesses.
In March 2024, she graduated with honors from the London School of Journalism. Beyond her career, she has built a thriving travel community with over 3,000 travel agents, tour operators, and consultants from more than 70 regions around the world.
Looking back, Esther sees the speed at which her life transformed. What once felt like endless waiting was actually preparation for something bigger. It took her months to realize that she was living in answered prayer.
Her journey is proof that resilience, faith, and unwavering determination can turn setbacks into stepping stones. Esther’s story is not just about surviving hard times—it’s about rising from them stronger than ever.
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