🎂 My Birthday Reflection: From Jalingo Dreams to 1.7M Google Impressions in 2025 [10th September] + 5 Free Gifts In

Join me as I celebrate my birthday with a special reflection — from Jalingo roots to 1.7M Google impressions in 2025. Plus, discover how I’m giving away 5 free gifts in just 7 months this year!

Yoooooo IbiFounders! 🔥

It's Your Boooyyy Zaakuuuu Siiimonnn (or Mimon as my Mom always calls me) Taki - Founder, CEO, IbiFoundry Limited [or Ibi-Foundry LTD, and this is our official website, IbiFoundry.com and our E-Magazine here]

Today is super special — not just for me but for you too.

Because every single win I celebrate is proof that what we’re building together is possible. So be verrrryyyy happy and excited as you read this.

This isn’t just my birthday; it’s our day to smile, reflect, and dream even bigger.

🎉 A Special Birthday Article to Myself – A Pat on the Back Won’t Hurt; Don’t Wait for Anyone

This post is different. It’s not just another SEO or freelancing guide. It’s a special birthday article where I write a letter to myself — in two versions.

• Version 1: Simon of 10 years ago writing to me today.

• Version 2: Me today writing to the Simon of 10 years ahead.

So what should you expect? A mix of raw storytelling, honest lessons, jokes, and my deepest gratitude.

👉🏾 And because today is my birthday, I’m giving a gift: I’ll be personally coaching 5 people for free inside my Freelance to $1k Course.

Here’s what I need you to do:

• Celebrate with me 🎂 (drop your wishes, share this post).

• Sign up for the course if you’re ready to change your money game.

• Join our free WhatsApp community to meet people just like you.

Don’t wait for anyone to pat you on the back — sometimes you need to clap for yourself. And today, I’m clapping for myself loudly, because I know where I started and where I’m heading.

Introduction – My Personal Story Growing Up in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

I was born and raised in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.

My childhood was filled with dusty streets, endless football matches, village tales from Wukari, and the type of everyday struggles that toughen you for life.

Taraba shaped me. Wukari taught me resilience — stories of clashes, laughter, and survival showed me that leadership is about community.

From Ibi to Jalingo, my roots gave me stubborn courage.

That small-town energy is still what powers me even as I sit here on my birthday, reflecting on how far I’ve come.

My Personal (Nigerian) Story Growing Up in Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

I was born and raised in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. My childhood was filled with dusty streets, endless football matches, village tales from Wukari, and the type of everyday struggles that toughen you for life.

Taraba shaped me. Wukari taught me resilience — stories of clashes, laughter, and survival showed me that leadership is about community.

From Ibi to Jalingo, my roots gave me stubborn courage. That small-town energy is still what powers me even as I sit here on my birthday, reflecting on how far I’ve come.

Starting SimonZaku.com in 2016 as a Blogger, Writer & SEO Enthusiast

In 2016, I launched SimonZaku.com, my first serious attempt at being a professional blogger. I didn’t have money or a fancy laptop, but I had fire in my belly and Google on my mind.

I taught myself SEO late at night, tweaking headlines, researching keywords, and writing content people would actually search for.

That blog became my classroom and my battleground.

It was here I learned one powerful truth: words + Google = money.

💵Making My First $1000 Blogging in 2020

2020 came with a sweet breakthrough — I made my first $1000 from blogging.

It wasn’t instant. It came from a combination of patience, affiliate deals, and AdSense. I remember staring at the dashboard thinking, “So this thing dey work?”

That first $1000 wasn’t just money. It was proof. Proof that a boy from Taraba could sit in his room and make global dollars from writing. It lit a fire that still burns today.

💔 My Worst Year: 2021 – Losing Everything & Lessons Learnt

Then came 2021. My hardest year.

I lost almost everything I had worked for. Bad investments, reckless spending, overconfidence — it all came crashing down. I hit rock bottom.

But inside that storm, I learned lessons that will guide me for life:

• Always invest carefully.

• Spend less than you make (way less).

• Never tie your self-worth to temporary wins.

2021 broke me but also rebuilt me. It prepared me for what was next.

Starting IbiFoundry Like a Joke

The idea of IbiFoundry started like a joke. Just a dream I scribbled down, imagining a “foundry” where ideas, businesses, and people are built.

Then the joke became a plan. The plan became a brand. The brand became a movement.

From the spreadsheet, I saw when Google first sent traffic to IbiFoundry.com.ng.

That day is now officially stamped as IbiFoundry’s Birthday. Today, 10th September 2025, I celebrate not just my life but this company’s journey too.

📈 My Growth Over the Years (2010 – 2025)

• 2010: Just a teenager with dreams, learning internet basics.

• 2015: Running Zakxloaded, chasing blog traffic.

• 2016: Launch of SimonZaku.com.

• 2020: First $1000 online.

• 2021: Year of failure and deep lessons.

• 2023 – 2024: Concept of IbiFoundry matures.

• 2025: Over 1.7M impressions, 19.5K clicks, average position 20.5 on Google.

Every year brought a piece of the puzzle. Today, the picture is clearer.

Special Section – A Letter to Simon

I asked ChatGPT to help me write a letter to myself in two scenarios:

a) A Letter by Simon Taki Zaku 10 Years Ago (2015) to Simon Today (2025)

Dear Simon,

I dey write you from 2015, inside one small corner of Taraba where dreams dey bigger than my pocket. Life no easy at all, but I get one stubborn fire for inside me — that belief say “even from Ibi, a boy fit shake the world.”

I no get plenty then, but I get notebook, I get data plan wey dey finish too fast, and I get this crazy idea say one day, all these nights of blogging, trying, failing, learning go count. I dey look you now from afar, 2025 you, and I dey proud, guy.

• You start IbiFoundry — and you no just start am, you turn am into movement.

• You dey empower youths, build businesses, consult for brands.

• You no run comot from Taraba; instead, you dey prove say success fit grow from soil wey people dey underrate.

I remember nights I dey confused, typing blog posts for Zakxloaded, wondering if anybody dey even read. I remember how my first phone screen crack and I still dey hustle to write articles. I no see how we go grow reach here, but you show me say small seeds fit turn forest.

So if I fit advise you as my older self now — abeg no lose that raw hunger. Don’t forget the boy wey dey sleep on ideas, who dey pray for one comment on his blog. That boy still dey inside you. Carry am along always.

And abeg, no ever forget your mama wey always dey cheer you, or Hannah wey go always carry your matter for head like new wig. Na them be the true fuel.

One last thing — 2015 me dey jealous sha. Akhei VIP? Drinks flowing, team celebrating? Abeg chop my own suya and fish that night.

Happy Birthday my gee.

Yours stubbornly,

Simon (2015 version, still broke but hopeful)

✉️ A Letter by Simon Today (2025) to Simon 10 Years From Now (2035)

Dear Simon,

Wow. I’m writing you from 2025. You’re sitting here now, one day older, worried about what’s next. Let me spoil small suspense — the next 10 years go mad.

• IbiFoundry go stand tall as one of the most respected innovation hubs in Nigeria. People no longer ask “what is IbiFoundry?” They go ask “how can we partner with IbiFoundry?”

• That land you dey plan to farm on in 2025? Forget small harvests, it go later turn into a full agro-empire with Taraba exporting proudly.

• Your crazy dream of building IbiTube? My guy, it’s not just alive — it’s giving YouTube wahala. Young Nigerian creators dey cash out steady from the platform you built.

And bro, relax about “do I dey do enough?” You go inspire thousands. Your name go dey tied to hope for young dreamers who never see Lagos but still wan make it.

But I go still warn you: protect your peace. You get energy like three men, but even Superman dey rest.

Learn to slow down, learn to delegate. And no ever forget — na laughter dey extend life. Crack more jokes, even inside business meetings.

Speaking of jokes, by the way — in 2035, suya still dey. But price? Don’t ask. Just enjoy your 2025 suya abeg, na national treasure.

So as you blow candle today, remember say you dey live the very days we once dey beg God for.

Be proud, my gee. Future Simon don see the receipts already.

Yours successfully,

Simon (2035 version, full of grey hairs but still vibes)

My Personal Goal for 2025

Today, I sit on 1.72M Google impressions and 19.5K clicks. My personal goal is to cross:

• 10,000,000 organic impressions

• 100,000 clicks

I want to prove, once again, that with focus, SEO, and faith, even from Taraba, these numbers can be real.

My Goals for IbiFoundry Limited and IbiFounders [YOU] for 2025 even as we Approach 2026

For IbiFoundry, this year is about scale and impact:

• Expand IbiTube and challenge global video platforms.

• Grow IbiShop into Taraba’s first real e-commerce hub.

• Launch IbiLoan to support students and civil servants.

• Partner with schools, farmers, and innovators across Nigeria.

• Cement IbiFoundry as Nigeria’s first and fastest-rising media-tech innovation company.

This is the year to show that what started as a “joke” is now shaping the future.

🎯 My Personal Goal for 2025

Today, I sit on 1.72M Google impressions and 19.5K clicks. My personal goal is to cross:

• 10,000,000 organic impressions

• 100,000 clicks

I want to prove, once again, that with focus, SEO, and faith, even from Taraba, these numbers can be real.

My Goals for IbiFoundry in 2025

For IbiFoundry, this year is about scale and impact:

• Expand IbiTube and challenge global video platforms.

• Grow IbiShop into Taraba’s first real e-commerce hub.

• Launch IbiLoan to support students and civil servants.

• Partner with schools, farmers, and innovators across Nigeria.

• Cement IbiFoundry as Nigeria’s first and fastest-rising media-tech innovation company.

This is the year to show that what started as a “joke” is now shaping the future.

FINALLY; I THANK JESUS, I THANK GOD, I THANK MY FAMILY, I THANK TEAM, I THANK EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING [IBIFOUNDER] WHO HAS EVER BEEN ON THIS WEBSITE, REACHED OUT, SUPPORTED, COMMENTED, FOLLOWED, LIKED, OR SHARED OUR VISION - I THANK YOU READING THIS RIGHT NOW, IBIFOUNDER [YOU BE REAL OG]

On my birthday today, I’m grateful. For the boy from Jalingo who dared to dream. For the failures that taught me. For the Google search traffic that proves the dream works.

For the team, family, and friends who believe in me.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🚀

I remain your humble boy,

Simon Taki Zaku

Founder & CEO, IbiFoundry Limited

Website: https://ibifoundry.com.ng/

Blog/E-Magazine: https://ibifoundry.com/blog/

Emails: simonzakucom at gmail dot com, ibifoundry at gmail dot com.