#Borderless: How Emily makes up to N150K a week helping people send money through Sendcash.

Our previous #Borderless article featured Nnamdi, a Sendcash user who recently switched from Finance to Software engineering. This month, we have Emily*. They talk about relocating to Nigeria (yes, to Nigeria) after living their whole life in the US, using their past financial struggles as motivation, and making money from facilitating transfers for others through Sendcash.

Hi Emily, tell me about yourself.

My name is Emily. Currently, I'm a Scrum Master, I plan events on the side, and I also do money transfers for people - I actually started because of Sendcash. I like making and spending money, so I'm always open to anything legal that makes me money. I relocated to Nigeria a few days ago (yes, I know people are running away, but I just like Nigeria). It's not permanent, though, just for two or three years.

Interesting. What does a Scrum Master do?

Being a Scrum master is still new to me, to be honest. I'm working out the kinks myself, but I love it. I'm a facilitator, teacher, coach and gatekeeper for my team. My "team" is a group of software developers, and it's my job to keep them working as a team and remove bad vibes or unnecessary things that can hinder the progress of whatever product they're working on. I'm their "leader" but more in a servant position. I never tell them what to do, but I slowly ease them into the right direction and get them to be self-organised.

Cool stuff! I'm eager to know how you make money by helping people send money on Sendcash.

About a year ago, one of my Twitter followers tweeted about Sendcash, and I decided to try it, but I knew nothing about crypto. He helped me with my first transaction, and it went great. 

I told my parents about the service, and they felt I could make money from it. I brushed it off at first, but about a month later, I caved in. 

Sendcash gives excellent rates, so I add a small margin and help people around me send money to Nigeria. 

For example, if the Sendcash rate is N485 to a dollar, I offer N460/$. I have loyal customers, particularly people who don't care to use an app or send Bitcoin, so my rate usually works for them. The highest I've made in one day is N150,000 and the lowest on a really bad day is between N5,000 and N7,000.

What?! That's amazing.

LOL. The money I make from it is pocket money for me, and it's perfect because it requires just a little effort.

Scrum master, event planner, money transfer agent - you wear many hats. That's inspiring to me.

Inspiring? Lol! It's been a ride, and I'm just grateful to God because my eyes have seen!

Typically, people think you have money because you live in the States. My parents migrated to Atlanta from Lagos in their 30s, with no family member in America. We were four girls then (now six), the oldest was ten, and the youngest was five. We practically had to raise ourselves because my parents were breaking their backs working.

From wearing the same clothes two to three times a week to school to being homeless, eating expired meals from food banks after my parents lost their jobs, watching my mum fighting for her life in the ICU, to navigating college on my own. I've been through a lot.

I'm only 29, and thinking back on my life sometimes; I'm grateful because as smart as I am, I'm lazy AF, but money has always been my motivation because I know what it's like not to have it. 

When people see me now and assume I'm a spoilt rich kid, it baffles me because I've been working since I was 12, and I've worked for just about everything I have today.

I'm sorry you had to go through this.

Thanks.

You mentioned that you recently moved to Nigeria. Did anything trigger that decision?

The first time I came to Nigeria, I cried a lot. It hurt me to see so many people on the road begging, and I knew I wanted to come back at some point and try to help.

Then in 2018, I tried to relocate, but that only lasted seven months. I got a job in two weeks, but the salary was tiny, I ran out of my savings, and my family kept begging me to come back home, so I packed up and left. 

LMAO

I came back last December, and it just felt so right. It felt like home, so I extended my stay till February, and honestly, it was different from 2018 because I was in a better place financially. 

Aside from my 9-5, which pays well, my money transfer business on Sendcash was booming, so I didn't even have to spend dollars. I was making over N150K in my Naira account weekly, and it was all going to eating out. I eat out a lot; food is life.

Since I now make decent money, I realised that I could live in Nigeria and live how I want. I'm also passionate about the non-profits I support and would like to do more. So, I moved.

After a few months of planning, here I am, ready to live, still house hunting because it's hell, but I'm optimistic.

Patriot of the year! Tell me a couple of things you love about Nigeria.

Amala is the first thing. I don't like swallow that much, but I love Amala and very soft Semo. I like the abula style; it's so good. 

I also love the night breeze, mosquitos aside; I like sitting out on the balcony areas and just feeling the cool breeze at night. It just makes me happy. My mind, heart, everything feels peaceful here.

Also, I'm able to afford almost everything I want and still save. I'm well aware it's because of the currency I earn in, but America is a whole scam, especially if you're a single person. You can be making good money but not have significant savings.

Fair enough. What are the top things you think people who are trying to relocate to Nigeria should know?

First things first, get a remote job outside Nigeria! Any remote job that pays decent will go a long way for you. You have that advantage, so use it. 

Also, lower your expectations. I mean this regarding the environment, the people and sausages (people call hotdogs sausages here) - bring your own if you can.

Finally, even if you have some friends or family here, don't rely on anyone but God! People will over-promise, don't expect too much from them. Pray for guidance, tolerance and perseverance and do your best (whatever that is to you). 

*Not their real name.

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