We were lucky to catch up with Emeka Anyiam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emeka , thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

I was born and raised in Nigeria which is situated on the continent of Africa. When I graduated high school in 1986 my father asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him that I would like to own a hospital which he would build for me. I would employ doctors, nurses, and administrators whom I would supervise. He laughed at my idea as he couldn’t wrap his mind around it. I spent the next four years having a good time, never intentional about the moves I was making or where I was headed. Then one day in 1990 my father informed me that I would be leaving the country for the United States to live and attend college/make something of myself. He was sure I was not living up to my full potential in Nigeria. The whole plan was orchestrated by my oldest sibling in the family.

At first, I was angry about leaving and disappointed with my mother for supporting my dad’s decision to send me away. On my first stop I joined my sister, Florence, in Venezuela. Her husband was an ambassador there in the fall of 1990.I vividly remember the day she took me to one of their Fast-Food restaurants to show me how much I would be making if I didn’t get an education. That lesson stuck with me upon my arrival to New Jersey in 1991. I entered the country with a tourist visa and began attending a church called Crossroads Church in Clifton New Jersey. I didn’t know at that time that this would be one of the best decisions I would ever make.

The church was unbelievably supportive and helpful. They even put me through school to obtain my bachelor’s degree. Before I enrolled in school, an aptitude test was administered to me which was paid for by my sponsors. At first, I honestly thought attending college was not for me, even though a lot of people thought otherwise. I saw education as a place for “intelligent people” and I struggled seeing myself through that lens. Nonetheless, the universe had other plans. It was like a higher power just put everything that I needed in place to help propel me to where I am today. After four hard years of college (where all the lessons were taught in a language that was brand new to me!!) I finally graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Sociology. I felt like I needed to keep pressing forward. My main motivation to succeed was all the times I was told back home that I would never amount to anything. The people back home always made me feel as though my dreams were just a joke. That was the zeal I had to keep pressing on, just to prove to myself and others that I could do it!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Upon graduation, I worked at many agencies but in 2011, I began working for a company called, “Circle of Friends Services”. Later, I was honored when I was promoted to their Director of Clinical Services. This company contributed tremendously to my clinical growth and played an integral role in making me who I am today. I am so grateful to them for all the knowledge and guidance they gave me. While there, I finally worked up the courage to venture out on my own. In 2015 I founded Embridge Counseling Services which started with just me being the sole provider and later turned in into an agency with just under 20 clinicians. Starting my agency helped me see myself in a whole new light. I always wanted to lead and help others meet their goals and objectives, so I was motivated and empowered by the ability to use my talents to benefit others. In 2018, I decided to write a book, Embracing Life: Surviving the Struggle by Learning to Embrace the Experience. It was released in 2019. My goal for the book was to reach as many people as I could to help them grow spiritually and physically so that they could face life’s challenging circumstances with intention. I am currently working on Volume II of my book and hoping to finish by the beginning of next year. A few months ago, while pondering my life’s goals, it came to mind that I have realized the dream I had 34 years ago, just 18 years old, being told I would never amount to anything in life. Even though it’s not the hospital I dreamt about and wanted to have, it’s close enough for me. Please understand, I certainly didn’t make this happen on my own, but with the strong support of so many whom I am so grateful for to this day.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

For me, the most challenging part about starting a Mental Health Practice was not the capital but getting credentialed by insurance companies and being licensed by the State of Florida. I spent less than a thousand dollars to begin. However, the credentialing period for each insurance company differs from one another. It took patience, sacrifice and constant follow ups with each company to ensure I was credentialed and licensed by both the Medicaid and Commercial insurances. While a very few agreed to a contract with Embridge, I began to do presentations at some agencies in our community for recognition and referrals. In the meantime, I was also working for other agencies to help make ends meet. I didn’t want to take out loans as many colleagues suggested as I was brought up to live within your means. So, I decided to maintain the business based on the little capital coming in at that time. With prayers, God made the road possible for me. In 2015, I sought the Community Mental Health Status for the practice. The agency status was granted by Florida Medicaid in January of 2016. The business grew itself by God’s grace until I applied for COVID loan in 2020. I would say that only God and the support I have around me made my business flourish.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.embridgecounselingservices.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/embridgecounseling/
• Facebook: facebook.com/embridgecounselingservices2014
• Linkedin: 1inkedin.com/Emeka Obi Anyiam
• Twitter: twitter.com/embridge2014
• Other: embracinglifebook.com

Image Credits
Crossroad Church, Clifton NJ