Bio: Yahaya Baruwa is the bestselling author of Struggles of a Dreamer: The Battle between a Dream and Tradition, Tunde: A Man of Lost Ambition and The Adventures of Ellie —the first, second and third novels of his inspirational trilogy. Born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, Yahaya immigrated to Canada in 2001, at the age of twelve, with his family, who came to pursue greater opportunities. Yahaya is a graduate of York University and today is a passionate businessman who established his publishing company at the age of 22. The author began selling his first book door-to-door knocking on over 27,000 doors in Toronto. He has since found success selling his books with Indigo-Chapters, Canada’s largest bookstore with almost 50,000 copies of his books sold. The majority of which were sold and autographed—one book at a time—by the author himself. He lives and works in Toronto. Yahaya is on a mission to inspire 100 million readers with the courage to take a chance on themselves to do what they are afraid to do in life, today —that they may be at peace with themselves, tomorrow. This is why he has written these easy to read inspirational novels, the Struggles of a Dreamer trilogy, books about taking a chance on a dream against the odds. Start reading the first book for free —get the first 25 pages at StrugglesofaDreamer.com

Name: Yahaya Baruwa

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, York University

Profession: Novelist

Years of Experience: 11 years

When you were a child, did you envision becoming what you are now?

No, as a child I wanted to become a medical doctor. However, I was quick to realize that I did not enjoy studying science. I eventually became an entrepreneur and then, a novelist.

Can you please tell us about your journey? When did you first think to yourself, “I made it”?

In truth, I am yet to think that “I have made it.” However, my career growth has been from checkpoint-to-checkpoint (from my first book, to the second, and now the third). My reasoning here is this – I never want to allow myself to think that my journey is complete; instead, I strive to maintain a mindset of continuous growth. The following is a brief summary of my journey to-date as a novelist and entrepreneur.

Born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, I immigrated to Canada in 2001, at the age of twelve, with my family, who came to pursue greater opportunities. I graduated from York University in 2012 but I established my publishing company, Tapestry House Publishing at the age of twenty-two, in 2010. I began selling my first book, Struggles of a Dreamer door-to-door knocking on over 27,000 doors in Toronto. I have since found success selling my books at Indigo-Chapters, Canada’s largest bookstore, with nearly 50,000 copies sold to-date. The majority of these were sold and autographed in-stores, by myself, one-book-at-a-time. I am on a mission to inspire 100 million readers with the courage to take a chance on themselves to do what they are afraid to do in life, today—that they may be at peace with themselves, tomorrow. This is why I have written these easy-to-read inspirational novels, the Struggles of a Dreamer trilogy, books about taking a chance on a dream against the odds.

Did you face any challenges on your journey to get where you are? Do you currently face any challenges?

I have experienced many challenges along my journey, most of which have shaped my outlook and trajectory in life. I started out selling my novels door-to-door (I knocked on over 27,000 doors)—it was an incredibly difficult work to do. However, I was blinded by the need to survive and succeed that I often did not see how much work I was doing at the time. This, in-time, made my subsequent successes possible. I went on to work with Canada’s largest bookstore, Indigo-Chapters, with whom I have done nearly 1,000 in-store events to-date and have become one of Canada’s top-selling novelist. My current challenge is to continue to offer my readers higher-quality inspirational novels.

What skills do you believe a person needs to succeed in your profession?

Be definite in their personal ambition(s)—you must always know what it is you want to achieve (get a vision board, it helps with a visual reminder of your goals).

You must Persevere, persevere, persevere and persevere, no matter what happens or is said

Choose only big goals and go after them like they already have your name on them (believe and act as though it is impossible for you to fail)

Treat all people with respect, always, no matter what happens

Believe in the power of prayer and know that you will have all of the resources that you need

Be yourself, love, admire and look up to others, but always be yourself. You will succeed better and faster and be more fulfilled with this mindset.

Be a keen learner and observer

Always remember people’s names

What advice would you give to others who aspire to be where you are?

Take your God-given gift seriously, act on it like your life depends on it and guard your joy from those who will always try to steal it from you.

Can you please share one goal you achieved that you are extremely proud of?

I wrote my first novel successfully, Struggles of a Dreamer, in 2009 at the age of twenty-one when I thought I didn’t have what it took to do so. To-date, I have written and published a total of three novels. Get 25 pages of the first novel now, for free, at www.StrugglesofaDreamer.com