Hi Hillary, welcome. If you had to define yourself in a few words, who is Hillary Odogwu?
My name is Hillary Odogwu. I’m a marketer and ads coach. I started my journey with dropshipping long before ads and coaching became part of my life.
What was your first money-making gig, and how did it shape you?
The first money gig I ever did was writing, and the pay was ₦500. I didn’t feel bad about it, but it taught me something important that I needed to do better for myself.
How did you transition from dropshipping to selling knowledge and then into ads?
While I was doing dropshipping, I used to compile training materials and PDF guides for people who wanted to learn how to become successful dropshippers. At the same time, I was selling shoes sourced from my wholesaler.
At some point, I realized I was passionate about selling information. I’ve always been expressive and open online, so selling what I knew felt natural. I kept thinking about how much knowledge I had in my head and how pointless it was not to monetize it.
The first product I sold was an Amazon KDP course. From there, I moved into affiliate marketing. Eventually, I discovered my passion for Instagram ads. Once I figured out what worked, I started teaching others the exact strategies and that’s how everything began.
What is the biggest myth people believe about digital marketing?
The biggest myth is that people think they can enter digital marketing and make money overnight. Marketing requires time, energy, and money. You have to learn many skills, and it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme the way it’s often portrayed online.
Anyone who thinks they can start today and make ₦500k next week is being delusional. It doesn’t work that way.
Your online presence is bold and sometimes controversial. How do you balance that with teaching and coaching?
I honestly just go with the flow. If I feel like making a controversial post, I do it. If I want to grow my account, I know exactly what to do.
But I don’t depend on social media for income I run a lot of ads. So people buy from me regardless. I don’t plan my posts or follow a strict content strategy. I just express whatever I feel like expressing at any moment.
Have you experienced difficulties receiving international payments?
Not really. There are many Nigerian startup apps that help with collecting USD payments. I’ve had enough options, so I haven’t faced any major issues.
You’ve mentioned learning some hard financial lessons. Can you share one that shaped you?
I don’t like to call them mistakes I call them lessons.
One major lesson was learning to avoid extremes: too much instant gratification and too much delayed gratification. Early last year, I felt I had worked hard for a long time and deserved to spend my money freely. I was earning decently, but spending immediately on gadgets and luxuries drained my finances.
Now that I earn more, I understand how to manage resources better. I only spend on things that multiply my income. You have to find a balance where you manage, save, and invest wisely.
What is the most important trait for success in marketing?
Resilience.
Some days sales are good. Some days they’re bad. Some days you won’t make a single sale. Things that worked for months can suddenly stop working.
You need resilience to keep going when everything feels uncertain. Without it, you’ll give up easily or jump from one thing to another.
What keeps you grounded when things get overwhelming?
I don’t care about public opinion. My principles are based on the standards I set for myself.
What drives me is value giving people knowledge, showing them what’s possible, and providing tools that actually make their lives better. I’m value-driven, not validation-driven.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be ashamed of receiving good things.
Growing up, I was scared to ask for money because adults around me always complained about finances. That mindset affected my marketing because I was afraid to ask people to pay for my products.
Eventually, I learned that people don’t pay just to buy they pay because an offer is attached. That realization gave me the confidence to charge my worth.
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
I honestly don’t know, I go with the flow. But I always set goals.
By 19, I made my first million.
By 20,I left my parents house.
By 21, I had other goals I wrote down and achieved.
I don’t stop achieving things. That’s just how I am.
What are you currently building?
I’m building an agency called Andro media. The goal is to revolutionize how physical business owners sell online helping them sell out, hit targets, and scale.
We plan to support at least 70 business owners in our first month, between January and February. I also want to build startups, buy startups, and eventually launch my own brand possibly skincare or perfume.
After investing and setting everything up, I want the freedom to live life on my own terms.
Would you consider relocating if the opportunity arises?
Only if it’s the United States and only if it offers significantly more than what I earn now, plus a comfortable lifestyle, maybe a penthouse in New York.
If it’s not the US, the only other country I’d consider is the UK. Right now, I don’t see a reason to leave unless Nigeria becomes much worse.
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, digital marketer, or creative looking to monetize your skills, Hillary’s story reminds you to stay resilient, stay bold, and always keep learning. In her words; success doesn’t come overnight, but consistent effort and knowing your worth will take you further than you ever imagined.
