Today we’d like to introduce you to Michel Konan
Hi Michel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Some journeys begin with certainty. Mine began with a decision—one that would change everything.
I was born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), a place rich in culture, resilience, and ambition. From an early age, life and circumstances forced me to mature quickly—to take responsibility, to adapt, to push forward especially when the path wasn’t clear.
At 17 years old, I left home, stepping onto a plane that would take me 6,000 miles away from everything I had ever known. Ivory Coast was my foundation, but I was chasing something bigger—opportunity, success, a future my parents had sacrificed so much for me to have. They believed in me, and for a while, I leaned on that belief.
But life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.
Within months of my arrival, everything changed. My parents lost their jobs, their businesses collapsed, and the financial support that had been keeping me afloat was gone. Just like that, the safety net disappeared. I had two choices: return home in defeat or stand my ground and fight for the future I had barely begun to build.
I chose to fight.
But choosing to fight and knowing how to fight are two different things. I was an international student, and that meant my tuition was three times higher than that of a resident. I took on two, sometimes three jobs just to stay enrolled, to pay rent, to afford a meal at the end of the day. I spent nights cleaning buildings when the world was asleep, worked shifts that left my body sore and my mind drained, and still, I had to show up in class the next morning like everything was fine.
It wasn’t fine.
There were days when I questioned everything. Was this struggle worth it? Had I made a mistake? Was I chasing a dream that wasn’t mine to have? The rejections, the closed doors, the exhaustion—it all started to weigh on me. I felt lost in my own journey, unsure of who I was or where I was headed. I let my mistakes define me, let the doubts take over, let the world convince me that I wasn’t enough.
But then, something shifted.
I realized that success wasn’t just about degrees or hard work—it was about who I became in the process. My mindset had been my greatest obstacle. I had spent years believing that my worth would be proven through titles, salaries, and validation from others. But the truth? The foundation of success is built from within. If I wanted doors to open, I had to be the kind of person who could walk through them with confidence.
That realization changed everything.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest battles are the ones no one sees. Not the sleepless nights, the endless job rejections, or the exhaustion that never fades—but the war inside your own mind.
I had to face:
Self-Doubt – That relentless voice whispering, What if you’re not good enough? What if this was all a mistake? I had risked everything, but the fear of failure haunted me every step of the way.
Identity Crisis – I was caught between two worlds, never fully belonging to either. Too foreign to fit in, too changed to go back. I questioned who I was and whether I’d ever find a place where I truly belonged.
Rejection – Every opportunity felt out of reach. I knocked on doors that never opened, watched others move forward while I stayed stuck, wondering why doing everything “right” wasn’t enough.
Burnout – Working multiple jobs while keeping up with school drained every ounce of energy I had. I cleaned buildings until my hands ached, barely slept, and still had to show up the next day like nothing was wrong. There was no time to breathe, no space to fall apart.
For the longest time, I let these struggles define me. I told myself that maybe I wasn’t meant to succeed, that maybe the dream I was chasing was never meant to be mine.
But then I realized something brutal, something freeing:
No one was coming to save me.
No degree, no job, no lucky break was going to change my life for me. If I wanted something different, something better—I had to be the one to create it.
That moment changed everything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about IT STARTS BY YOU?
Today, I am a Business Analytics & Cybersecurity Consultant, Speaker, and Personal Development Strategist, as well as the founder of It Starts By You—an organization that stands on one fundamental belief: before you change your circumstances, you must first change yourself.
It Starts By You is more than just a phrase—it’s a movement, a mindset, a call to action.
We help individuals recognize that they are their greatest asset. Before chasing success, before expecting external validation, before waiting for the “right” opportunity, you have to build a strong foundation within yourself.
Through speaking engagements, mentorship programs, and workshops, we focus on:
✅ Mindset Transformation – Because the way you think shapes your reality.
✅ Building Resilience – Teaching people how to use rejection as redirection.
✅ Community & Mentorship – Because success is easier when you’re surrounded by the right people.
Too often, we wait for someone else to give us permission to succeed. It Starts By You is here to tell you that permission is already yours.
No matter where you come from. No matter what challenges stand in your way. The first step always starts with you.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yes—something big is coming.
We are preparing to host a transformational event in the Dallas area, designed to bring real, raw, and local success stories to the stage. Think of it like a TED Talk, but more personal, more real, more connected to the community.
Because it’s one thing to watch success from a distance, to hear about millionaires and entrepreneurs who seem worlds away. But it hits differently when the person inspiring you lives in your city, walks the same streets, understands your struggles.
This event will be a space where people can hear powerful stories of resilience, connect with mentors, and find the push they need to take action.
This isn’t just about motivation—it’s about transformation.
And this is just the beginning.
The journey continues—because it always starts by you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archange_michel
