We had the good fortune of connecting with Olayinka Shorunke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olayinka, how does your business help the community?
At Laddering Your Success (LYS), we empower communities by leveraging technology to help individuals uncover their purpose through personal development and self-discovery. When we started LYS, I embraced the belief that every person carries their purpose within them—it’s written into the very DNA of who they are. It’s the collective responsibility of family, teachers, friends, loved ones, and life experiences to help uncover and nurture those innate talents, skills, and abilities, aligning them with a purpose that gives back to the community and leaves a lasting legacy.

At LYS, we aim to inspire individuals to contribute to their communities and embark on the journey of creating generational wealth. While many define generational wealth as financial, we believe it encompasses much more. Generational wealth can also be intellectual: laying a foundation of knowledge, a resilient mindset, and a set of core values and characteristics. This ensures that no matter where life takes you, you understand who you are, how to access the resources you need, and how to execute your goals with excellence.

This philosophy, which we call Be, Know, Do, lies at the heart of everything we do at Laddering Your Success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets Laddering Your Success apart is our deep sense of personability and our mission. Both Festus and I come from Nigerian backgrounds, where we were raised to show great respect for elders and live by strong values instilled in us from a young age. Growing up in strict households fostered humility in both of us, shaping the people we’ve become and the way we approach our work at Laddering Your Success. We pride ourselves on being accessible and approachable—always willing to help others align with their purpose, no matter their circumstances.

Getting to where we are today business-wise was far from easy. When we started LYS, Festus was married, raising a child, and expecting another, while I was a full-time teacher working long hours. My dedication to teaching left me little time to focus on LYS as much as I wanted. Eventually, I took a risk and joined Festus in his medical exercise business, which gave me the flexibility to dedicate more time to Laddering Your Success. It was tough in the beginning, but perseverance, faith in God, and a shared vision carried us through to where we are today.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of keeping faith in God, persevering through challenges, and continually investing in yourself. Our story is one of resilience and authenticity. I’ll never forget the day after Festus’ mother passed away freshman year of high school—seeing him sit alone at the breakfast table, grieving but still showing up. Witnessing his journey from that moment to where he is now is nothing short of a miracle.

Our brand and story are rooted in faith, humility, and the belief that anyone can find their purpose and create generational change. We’re honored to share this mission with the world and to continue helping others through Laddering Your Success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Thank God you gave us a whole week! Houston is an amazing city with a vibrant food scene, rich culture, and plenty of things to do. Here’s how I’d plan the itinerary:

Day 1: A Taste of Houston
Start with authentic Nigerian food at a local gem like Aria Suya Kitchen.
For dinner, dive into some authentic Mexican cuisine at El Tiempo Cantina.
End the evening at Grand Prize Bar, one of my favorite spots for a relaxed vibe, good drinks, and great conversations.

Day 2: Chinatown Adventure
Head to Chinatown for lunch—maybe try Fufu Café or Tiger Den for some fantastic Chinese or Asian fusion dishes.
Spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant shops and bakeries in the area. Then head to the new Alief Community Center.

Day 3: Barbecue and Heights Vibes
Houston is known for its BBQ, so we’d grab lunch at The Pit Room or Truth BBQ.
Spend the evening in The Heights—strolling outdoors, soaking in the historic charm, and stopping by Eight Row Flint or Eureka Heights Brewery for drinks and conversation under the stars.

Day 4: Steak Night
As a steak lover, I’d take them to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse or Vic & Anthony’s for an unforgettable dinner.

Day 5: Midtown and Downtown Exploration
Visit Midtown for its lively scene and chill hangouts, then head to Downtown to explore the history and culture. Oh yeah, gotta go to Pizarro’s Pizza…amazing!
A must-stop is Dean’s Downtown, a classic Houston spot with great ambiance and cocktails.

Day 6: Museums and Parks
Spend the day visiting the Museum District, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
End the day at Hermann Park, relaxing by the reflecting pool or catching a performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Day 7: Space City Farewell
Wrap up the trip with a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, one of Houston’s iconic attractions.
For dinner, a seafood feast at State of Grace or Liberty Kitchen before bidding farewell.
Houston is filled with fun, interesting people and places, and this itinerary barely scratches the surface of everything this city has to offer!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, and every teacher and professor I’ve had—from Pre-K through college—for filling my mind with knowledge and wonder.

Website: https://www.ladderingyoursuccess.com

Instagram: beknowdo_lys

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladderingyoursuccess

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladderingyoursuccess/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ladderingyoursuccess3177

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