Arrived in Chicago in the beginning of summer 1989 within 30 days of arriving in the US from Nigeria for the first time, I was just a fresh-faced grad student eager to explore biology and the big “windy city”. i have read so much about. Just like many undergraduates, especially someone who traveled miles over the sea, I was optimistic about what the next phase of my life would entail. Even while I had my fears of how I was going to cope in a new land, I didn’t allow my fear to get a hold of me; I was determined to succeed no matter what the new environment threw at me.

A trip to Nigeria in 2006 really stuck with me. Seeing how limited the medical care was, especially the lack of important tests in emergencies, just didn't sit right. Here I was, a biochemist with years of experience in US drug companies, and I felt like I could do something about it. That's when the idea of starting my own business hit me.

Ten years later, in 2016, I decided to take action. My father-in-law, Mr. Frederick Fawehinmi (may he rest in peace), shouldn't be the only one struggling because they couldn't get the right tests done. This wasn't just about making money; it was about helping people. Of course, starting a business wasn't a walk in the park.

A Business needs funding. Remember Ayo Rogers, the friend I mentioned who showed interest in the business? Here's how it all began, showcasing the trust and history we shared. Over the years, Ayo and I had developed a close friendship. We discussed everything under the sun, and I considered him a confidant. We had even exchanged visits at each other's homes.

In late 2016, while unloading equipment from a rented U-Haul truck at my New Jersey home, I received a call from Ayo. Our conversation revolved around my recent trip to Nigeria and my plans for the laboratory business.

In 2010, after much persuasion, my wife finally agreed to a significant life change – relocating our family to Nigeria. This decision came at a great price. We packed up our entire lives in our four-bedroom home and shipped everything across the Atlantic. My wife, a nurse earning over $60,000 annually, resigned from her job. I too left my position at Johnson & Johnson, where I commanded a salary exceeding $120,000. Our children transitioned from a free public school system to private education in Nigeria, incurring significant costs.

Remember, I told you we moved to Lagos to save cost. It felt like the best thing to do at the time, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as we envisioned. Ayo leveraged his connection with his brother, Femi Rogers, to get us a space. Femi offered us office space within his Maryland, Lagos location. While not the most suitable environment for a laboratory service company, I chose not to argue, determined to make the best of the situation. My wife, ever supportive, took on a role at this branch, assisted by two staff members who collected samples from walk-in clients and local hospitals.

Advanta Laboratories was started by me with investment of funds from my savings and loan from my 401k retirement savings from years at Abbott, Wyeth and J&J. This approach was against the advise of my Tax accountant and financial advisor.