By Patricia Uyeh

Popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, who played guest at the latest episode of Forbes Woman Africa’s Against All Odds, opened up about her grass-to-grace story during an interview with host Peace Hyde.

The media guru who has become one of Africa’s successful recently launched an app-based subscription channel, said:

“I started modelling at age 17, not as a passion but as a way to make ends meet. I did a lot of part-time jobs while in school – one even included me selling beer at hotels. I would leave school at 1pm and start selling from 2pm to 10pm, and in turn get paid N1500 [US$4.15] a day,”

When asked if she ever thought of becoming famous, she said:

“I never expected it. As a matter of fact, I started blogging in November 2006 as an extension of my writing hobby and because I was inspired by BellaNaija’s blog, which started in June 2006.”

She added: “I was going through my stats recently and it dawned on me that all this has been a gradual process. From 10 views in 2008 to a thousand, years later, then a million and so on. It didn’t just happen, I had to stick to it.”

Speaking on some of her challenges, Linda Ikeji said:

“I’ve been involved in a couple of controversies with celebrities and politicians. I remember in 2012 when I was involved in one and the guy promised to bring down my blog.

“Then one day I woke up to find my blog deleted and this guy gloating on social media that he was behind it. But one thing about me is I may get knocked down but I never stay down. I got it up and running again in two days.”