My Journey: From Broke to Building a Digital Dream – To Online Success
My name is Anthony. P Otaru, but all my friends call me “Dolum” which I inherited from our Physics practical text on Pendulum, which I came out to be the best. That was how I got to bear that pet name. However, I’m the voice behind DolumDigital. This blog isn’t just a website—it’s the journey of my transformation, a testament to what’s possible for anyone starting from scratch.
Growing up in Benin City, Nigeria, I have always dreamed of finding a way to make a difference and build something that was my own. I didn’t come from wealth or connections; I came from a place where even a small investment in a $28 online course seemed impossible. Fresh out of college with a degree in computer science, I was just another young graduate looking to make a living.
But I knew that I wanted more than a typical job, a paycheck-to-paycheck life—I wanted to build something that could change my life and, eventually, the lives of others.
Without the resources for expensive programs, I turned to every free piece of knowledge I could find. I devoured blog posts, listened to podcasts, joined countless free Facebook groups, and read advice from industry giants like Neil Patel and Rand Fishkin.
I tried everything—different kinds of online gigs, blogging, affiliate marketing, and even joining groups where I could learn and connect with other beginners. It wasn’t easy. My first few blog posts felt like whispers in an empty room—no traffic, no readers. It was humbling but also a powerful motivator.
In those early days, I often found myself spamming links just to get a few clicks, only to get kicked out of groups. I was rejected, ignored, and, at times, discouraged.
I didn’t make a single dollar for months. Yet, I was driven by the vision that if I kept pushing, something would finally click. The breakthrough came after I’d nearly given up—when I made my first $4.95 from Amazon, even while I was still pushing with my affiliate marketing, where I finally got the big blow. That small amount changed everything because it proved that my efforts could pay off. And from that small spark, I knew I could build something larger.
After countless late nights, rejections, and a lot of trial and error, things began to improve. I focused on learning SEO, keyword research, and content creation, each time refining what I knew and doing what worked. Eventually, DolumDigital began gaining traction. Today, this blog allows me to not only share valuable information but also to help beginners who are where I once was—struggling to make sense of the online world, hoping for a chance.
Through DolumDigital, I stand for something simple but powerful: Your story doesn’t have to start with wealth, and your success doesn’t have to be a dream. It takes resilience, learning, and consistency. And above all, it takes the courage to start, even if that start is humble. I’m here to share not just information but hope, guidance, and tools to make your own dream happen.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope my story reminds you that you don’t need a perfect beginning—you just need a relentless commitment to creating your own success.
Stay focused and remain blessed.