The Question That Changed Everything for Me

So, today I share what happened after a client looked me straight in the eye and asked: “Have you ever heard of ISO?”

Now, if you’ve been following my Story Saturday series, you’ll remember where we left off. We were at a client's office, chatting about Forever Living products, and after listening to me explain them in full colour and flavour, he smiled and said, “Forever guys are so lucky to have you as one of their salespeople.”

I laughed softly and responded, “Actually, I’m not an employee. I’m an independent business owner. I use the products myself—and because I believe in them, I speak about them with confidence.”

He leaned back, nodded thoughtfully, eyes locked on me in that way that says someone is sizing up more than just your words. Then came the question that shifted the ground beneath my feet: “Have you ever heard of ISO?”

I told him I’d heard of it years back, but that was the extent of it. He asked me if I’d like to know more. In fact, he said, “From just the little I’ve heard from you today, I think you’d make a great lead implementor and auditor for ISO 9001.”

Honestly, I didn’t even know what that fully meant, but I liked how it sounded. And if there’s one thing I’ve never been afraid of, it’s a good challenge. So, he handed me a bunch of materials and asked me to go through them and return in two days. And I did.

Now, let me tell you, those documents were in English, yes. But for some reason, they read like Mandarin. I understood absolutely nothing that first night, and I wanted to give up. But something in me—the stubborn, no-surrender version of me—told me to push a little further. So I decided to use a different approach. I picked up my highlighters, and instead of trying to understand everything, I marked the bits that raised questions.

When I went back to see him, I presented all the questions I had collected, but instead of responding to them, he did something unexpected. He said, “I want you to apprentice with some of our lead auditors. Tag along, observe them, and learn from them.”

And just like that, I stepped into a new season, one of quiet shadowing. No fancy titles. No pay. Just the privilege of proximity, and the discipline to watch, listen, absorb, and learn. For three and a half years, I served in the background, setting up training rooms, arranging projectors, prepping slides, and taking my place at the back of the room with a notebook in hand, eyes attentive, ears tuned in. After each session, I’d drive the lead auditors back to their hotels, and that’s when the real class would begin. I’d ask every question I had noted down throughout the day, and they would answer patiently, sometimes during those drives, other times on the way to the next client site the following day.

Those sessions were priceless. No salary. No shortcuts. Just sacrifice, obedience, humility, and an unwavering passion to master something I once knew nothing about.

Today, I’m a fully certified Lead Implementor and Lead Auditor for ISO 9001:2015. I’ve had the privilege of guiding organizations—from government agencies to private companies—through the journey, from uncertainty to certification. But let’s be honest, it didn’t come easy. I took everything I absorbed from my mentors and coaches, and over time, shaped my own unique way of training, one that’s clear, practical, and deeply impactful.

Nowadays, when I train teams, they don’t just walk away informed—they walk away transformed. I don’t say this out of pride; I say it with deep gratitude. Because every ounce of effort, every late night spent reading, every question I asked, and every moment I chose to kneel on a chair instead of sitting—just to keep going—has paid off. I now use what I’ve learned as a tool to transform both organizations and individuals.

And while I say this with humility, I’ll also say it with honesty: nobody who walks into one of my sessions leaves the same—unless they weren’t there to learn. I can’t explain how it happens exactly, but the moment I stand before an audience, everything else fades—my fatigue, personal struggles, the noise of adulting—and something bigger takes over. And somehow, purpose shows up, takes the mic, and does what only it can do.

To quote one of my participants:
“I came with zero knowledge about QMS. But now I am very much aware to the extent that I will be cautious when I deliver service to my clients… I wish to study more and more so I can also be competent in this area to be able to train others, not only professionals but also my household members.”— Flora Martin, PSSSF

Another one said:
“The way the trainer used to deliver content was so relevant because of the realistic examples the trainer used.”— Julieth Bernard, ENSOL

And that, right there, is why I do what I do.

What are the takeaways from this part of my journey?

1. Nothing truly good comes without a price - Sometimes that price isn’t money—it’s time, humility, patience, or simply showing up when it would be easier to walk away.

2. Before you earn, you must be willing to learn - And not just the easy bits. The deep, uncomfortable, “Am I ever going to get this?” kind of learning.

3. Learning takes time—and lots of it - But we live in a world that wants microwave results. Truth is, slow-cooked wisdom always tastes better and lasts longer.

4. You don’t know it all. No one does - And that’s okay. Be willing to sit under someone else’s guidance. Ask the questions. Carry the bags. Set up the room. One day, it’ll all make sense.

5. Mentorship isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity - The right coaches and mentors will stretch you, shape you, and sharpen you. The wrong ones? Well… you’ll learn something there too.

6. Be mindful of whose wing you sit under - Not every leader is meant to lead you. Discernment is part of growth.

And when you’ve finally mastered what you were being taught, don’t just copy and paste.
Curate your own version. One that reflects your values, your voice, and your vision. You were never meant to be a replica. You were meant to be original.

And finally, a gentle nudge to you:
What if the opportunity you’ve been praying for is hiding inside the process you keep trying to avoid because of all the sacrifices you might be required to make? 

Maybe the process isn’t glamorous. Maybe it doesn’t come with a title or a paycheck right now.
But what if it’s the very thing preparing you for the version of you you’ve been dreaming of?

My call to you:
Don’t despise the slow starts. 
Don’t skip the quiet seasons.
And please—don’t rush the learning.

Sometimes, the very thing that looks like just another annoying process is actually the launchpad.
Stay the course.
Stay teachable.
Stay obedient.

Because one day, you’ll look back and realize—there were no coincidences. Only clues.

Be Ignited. Be Inspired. Be Influenced. Become the best version of yourself you can ever be.