Conversations with Issac Okpe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Issac Okpe.

Hi Issac, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story has always been rooted in faith, purpose, and the desire to build something that lasts longer than me.

I’m a proud graduate of Texas Southern University, where I earned my MBA in Management. After college, I launched iLift Nonprofit — “I Love Inspiring Future Talent.” It was born out of a passion to give back, providing scholarships, mentorship, and college baskets for graduating seniors preparing for their next chapter. Our mission is to show young people that with faith, culture, and preparation, they can create their own opportunities.

At iLift Nonprofit, we stand on the 3 Cs — Community, Culture, and Career. Community keeps us connected to those we serve. Culture reflects our identity — celebrating faith, excellence, and authenticity. Career represents the future — helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom.

As my journey evolved, I carried that same heart of service into entrepreneurship. I went on to build and hold ownership in two multimillion-dollar businesses, experiences that strengthened my leadership and vision. That success led to iLift Consulting, my logistics and dispatch company, where I help drivers, carriers, and entrepreneurs build financial freedom through transportation.

In 2025, I expanded with T3N — a brand built on faith, hustle, and legacy. T3N unites media, merch, and mentorship under one mission: to educate, empower, and uplift. It’s home to the T3N Podcast, a motivational apparel line, and community-driven events like the upcoming Men’s & Women’s Conference in Dallas.

For me, success isn’t just about income — it’s about impact: creating systems, stories, and spaces that lift others higher and build a legacy of faith in motion.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nawl, definitely not — it’s been anything but smooth, and that’s exactly what shaped me into the man I am today.

When I first started out, there wasn’t a blueprint for what I was trying to build. Nobody handed me a guide on how to run a nonprofit, start a trucking company, or turn faith into a brand. I had to figure everything out through trial, error, and faith. There were moments of massive success — I’ve seen the highs of earning well over half a million dollars — and there were seasons where I lost it all and had to start over from zero.

Those experiences humbled me but also sharpened me. They taught me that consistency means more than comfort, and that failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of it. Every setback forced me to build stronger systems, think smarter, and trust deeper.

There were times I questioned everything — the direction, the partnerships, even the purpose. But every failure revealed another lesson: how to manage money better, how to structure my businesses correctly, how to say no, and how to stay grounded in my faith even when the numbers didn’t look good.

The truth is, I’ve failed more times than I’ve won — but I never stopped showing up. That’s what makes this journey worth it. Every loss gave me the blueprint I didn’t have, and now I use those lessons to guide others so they don’t have to start in the dark like I did.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a builder — of brands, systems, and people. Everything I do connects back to that purpose. I even joke and call myself “Mr. Dot Connector,” because somehow, I always end up being the person who brings people, opportunities, and ideas together.

Through iLift Consulting, I help drivers, dispatchers, and entrepreneurs build profitable logistics businesses and find real freedom through transportation. It’s not just about trucking; it’s about teaching people how to turn hustle into structure and create something that can feed their families long-term.

With iLift Nonprofit, I focus on inspiring and preparing the next generation through scholarships, mentorship, and college readiness programs. And through T3N, I merge media, merch, and mentorship — hosting conferences, dropping motivational apparel, and using the T3N Podcast to highlight entrepreneurs who are building with faith and authenticity.

But what really sets me apart is experience. Most people haven’t been in the rooms, environments, and social spaces that I’ve been in. They haven’t seen both sides — the business boardrooms and the block. I’ve been in meetings where deals worth millions were discussed, and I’ve also been in spaces where people just needed one opportunity to change their lives. A lot of people talk the talk or walk the walk — I’ve done both, and that’s what makes my approach different.

I’m most proud of the impact — the students we’ve helped through iLift Nonprofit, the entrepreneurs we’ve mentored through iLift Consulting, and the lives changed through T3N’s message. I don’t just want to create income; I want to create influence. Every move I make is about legacy, and my mission is to prove that you can win in faith and business at the same time.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was definitely on the shy side. I had this silver tooth right in the front of my mouth that I got in 3rd grade after trying to rollerblade — that was a whole experience in itself. Between that and being a little quiet, I kind of kept to myself for a while.

Part of that came from not always being able to articulate myself the way I wanted to. In the neighborhood, if you didn’t sound a certain way, people would joke and say stuff like, “Yeah, he just can’t read,” (laughs). So I learned early on to just observe more than I talked.

But truthfully, I was smart — smarter than most people realized. I was in advanced placement classes all the way from elementary through high school. I just didn’t always show it in the loudest way. I was that quiet kid who listened, picked things up fast, and stayed cool with everybody.

I’ve been interested in sports for as long as I can remember. I didn’t grow up with a father figure, so most days it was just me and my day-one, Lew, out there teaching ourselves how to play. We didn’t have much, but we had drive. And honestly, the street I grew up on — Fernwood — taught me a lot. It was a small circle of us, but we stayed loyal, we stayed solid, and we stayed to ourselves.

And since I was young, I’ve always been about making my own money. I was selling Pokémon cards in elementary school, cutting grass in the neighborhood, and basically finding any way I could to hustle. That drive to create my own lane and figure things out early is what turned into my entrepreneurial spirit later in life.

Even though I was shy, I’d still say I was cool. That mix of being observant, loyal, and driven shaped how I move today — staying humble, staying focused, and turning what I learn into something that lasts.

Contact Info:

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