At 17, Adeola was like many high school students in Lagos — juggling classes, assignments, and exam stress. But she also had something special: a talent for organizing information and turning complex topics into easy-to-understand summaries. Her friends constantly borrowed her notes before tests, often saying, “You should sell these!”
That casual suggestion sparked an idea that would soon change her life.
The Hustle Begins with a Smartphone
With no laptop or initial capital, Adeola started with her smartphone. She downloaded a free scanner app and used it to scan her handwritten notes. Then, she converted them into neat PDFs and stored them on Google Drive.
She created a small WhatsApp group, added her classmates, and offered her notes for ₦500 to ₦1000 per subject. At first, she only made a few sales — mostly from close friends. But word spread quickly. Students from other schools started joining the group. Her summaries were not just neat — they were clear, concise, and actually helped students understand tough subjects.
Scaling Up with Smart Tools
As orders increased, Adeola realized she needed a better system. She moved her sales operation to Telegram, which allowed her to manage a larger audience. She learned how to create a basic landing page using free tools, added payment options via bank transfer and mobile money, and started designing covers for each note bundle using Canva.
With the profits from her early sales, she bought a secondhand Android tablet to type and edit her notes faster. She also invested in mobile data bundles so she could stay online more consistently and respond to customers quickly.
Soon, she was offering:
- Monthly exam prep bundles
- Combo packages for WAEC and JAMB students
- Study subscriptions that gave users access to all her new uploads
Going Viral and Breaking Through
Her biggest breakthrough came when a popular Nigerian ed-tech blog wrote a feature article about her. The headline read: "Teen Girl Turns Class Notes into 7-Figure Online Business." Overnight, she gained over 5,000 new Telegram subscribers. Several education brands reached out to collaborate — offering partnerships, scholarships, and even mentorship.
By the time she turned 18, Adeola had crossed over $50,000 in total earnings — all while still attending school and studying for her final exams.
What She Learned Along the Way
Start small: Her first earnings were just ₦2,000 — but she reinvested them wisely.
Listen to your users: Her customers requested new subjects, clearer formats, and even voice notes — and she delivered.
Use free tools: She built everything with free apps, YouTube tutorials, and a strong network of students who believed in her.
Today, Adeola continues to expand her platform. She’s building a proper website, working on a mobile app, and mentoring other students to launch similar note-sharing ventures in their schools.