Unlock Success: I Made 800K on TikTok Selling Products Nobody Talks About (Step-By-Step) - Konnected Minds Podcast with Derrick Abaitey

Transcript

A (0:00)

I started my business from Snapchat. In the first 24 hours of my business, I got more than 100 orders

B (0:04)

just selling on Snapchat.

A (0:06)

Snapchat alone.

B (0:08)

Wow. I want you to take me through steps of how I can get my products from China to Ghana, including what to register in terms of fda.

A (0:20)

First of all, you have to.

B (0:28)

What are people missing when it comes to starting their own business?

A (0:32)

People want to start today and see success today. I wasn't ready to see success on my first year. Just make sure people trust you. Yes. How do people trust? You need to show up more. I wish small business owners would take Tick Tock serious.

B (0:45)

There are people that have businesses on Tick Tock and it's not working for them. What are you going to tell them?

A (0:48)

You need to give value. If you are selling clothes, you can. You can show people how to style the clothes. That is what you are supposed to be pushing out.

B (0:55)

When you posted that you had made 800k on TikTok, a lot of people did not believe you. How did that make you feel?

A (1:00)

I did not care. If you're going to be on the Internet and promote your business, you don't have to care about what people say.

B (1:08)

Charity, did you feel like you didn't have the attention you needed?

A (1:14)

I never had any attention from parents, from the people I stayed with. I used to crave for it so much and I was like, since they're not giving it to me, I want to be alone. Foreign,

B (1:30)

You're welcome to Connected Minds Podcast. My name is Derek Abayte and I'm happy to have you here because my guest today is Charity Bwatin, a young girl who is doing so well with social selling. For the people who don't know what social selling is, it's essentially putting a camera to your face, having products and selling those products on social media platforms, especially TikTok. So Charity made a post that she made over 800k selling on just TikTok. She hasn't even spoken about the other platforms that she sells on. I wanted to sit with her today because she's doing something that a lot of young people can learn from. Those that are struggling to get jobs, that have dreams, they have things they want to do, but they don't know how to do it. I want this conversation to be one of those that Charity is going to spill everything that she has done. She's going to give you step by step of how to even build your own product. Stay with me. I think I found a new champion for Connected Minds. My name Is Derek. How are you?

Summary

Konnected Minds Podcast
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Episode: Unlock Success: I Made 800K on TikTok Selling Products Nobody Talks About (Step-By-Step)
Guest: Charity Bwatin
Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Konnected Minds features host Derrick Abaitey in conversation with Charity Bwatin, a young Ghanaian entrepreneur who built a highly successful business selling underdiscussed feminine hygiene products on TikTok and other social media platforms. Charity breaks down her journey from humble beginnings and personal adversity to becoming a social selling phenomenon, making over 800,000 GHS through strategic use of digital platforms and value-driven marketing. The conversation blends business insights, tactical step-by-step guidance, and an honest exploration of Charity’s powerful personal motivations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Charity's Background and Motivation

Early Life and Family
- Raised by commercial farmer parents, but lived apart as a child; developed independence early ([05:18], [12:42]).
- Experienced lack of attention and affection, fueling her drive for recognition and success:
  
  “I never had any attention from parents, from the people I stayed with… So I used to crave for it so much.” (13:21, Charity)
Desire for Freedom and Financial Independence
- Rejected the 9-to-5 lifestyle in favor of autonomy:
  
  “I've never wanted to be a 9 to 5… I just wanted to be a businesswoman.” (07:05, Charity)
Early Signs of Entrepreneurship
- Experimented with multiple small ventures (selling food, water in Kumasi).
- The drive to be “seen” and “heard” became intrinsic to her journey ([14:48]).

Business Origin Story

Opportunity Realization and First Sales ([25:47] - [29:54]):
- Discovered a niche in feminine hygiene products through a personal experience with pricing disparities.
- Launched via dropshipping—posted the product on Snapchat, managed orders through a supplier.
- First 24 hours: Over 100 orders and 20,000 GHS revenue ([29:54]).
Financing the Start
- Used a pool of 10,000 GHS saved during a supportive relationship to invest in influencer marketing ([28:08]).
- Emphasizes resourcefulness – started without major capital by leveraging influencer reach and direct sales.
Pivots and Scaling
- Supplier became overwhelmed by volume, prompting Charity to seek out alternative wholesalers and eventually explore importing directly from China.

Building and Growing the Business

From Snapchat to TikTok
- Initial viral push came from Snapchat, but repeated account bans (due to explicit product education) led her toward TikTok ([35:22]).
- Heavy investment in influencer marketing—spent 80,000 GHS to solidify brand presence ([36:08]).
- Moved key customer communication to WhatsApp for stability.
TikTok: The Game-Changer ([38:23] - [39:19])
- TikTok contributed to 90-95% of new business after transition from Snapchat.
- Charity focuses on educating and empowering women, not just selling:
  
  “I sit down and I tell the ladies what they need to hear because I know what you need to hear… So I'm not just selling products, I'm giving them value.” (37:13, Charity)
Content Strategy Advice
- Success tied to showcasing value, not just products:
  
  “If you are selling clothes, you can show people how to style the clothes. That is what you are supposed to be pushing out.” (41:00, Charity)

Key Steps: Importing and Regulatory Compliance

Product Sourcing and Importation ([43:00] - [47:01])
- Start by identifying a real problem; research products on platforms like Alibaba.
- Play with digital tools and self-teach via YouTube, TikTok, not waiting for paid courses.
- Ensure use of verified suppliers; comparison shop.
Regulatory Steps
- Lab analysis is required before applying for FDA registration in Ghana.
- Lab analysis: Costs between 1,000–3,000 GHS per product. ([47:24])
- FDA registration: Around $500 for imported products ([47:50]).
Pragmatic Entry: Start Small, Drop Ship
- “You don’t need to do your own production from the start… Just make sure you know a lot about what you are selling.” (48:26, Charity)

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Biggest Challenge: Obtaining FDA approval—complex, costly, and often hampered by required changes to product names or additional bureaucracy ([50:24]).
Why Most Businesses Struggle
- Many focus only on money, lack passion or genuine value to offer.
  
  “People want to post today and then… see success today. I wasn’t ready to see success on my first year.” (52:15, Charity)
- Charity’s edge is persistent education and genuine product expertise.
Growth, Setbacks, and Customer Loyalty
- Early sales slumped after initial viral push. Rather than quit, Charity reinvested in ambassador deals with influencers and stabilized her brand, building long-term recognition ([55:48]).

Mindset, Pricing, and Longevity

Motivation and Discipline
- Charity attributes her consistency to discipline, not just motivation:
  
  “Discipline really pushes me every single day. I’m motivated mostly by the smiles I put on people’s faces.” (68:42, Charity)
Pricing for Sustainability, Not Approval ([63:51] - [68:26])
- Fearful entrepreneurs underprice and "make their products so cheap" wishing to please everyone, which undermines sustainability.
- “Don’t price for approval, price for sustainability… Not everyone is your customer. Know the people you are trying to attract.” (66:55, Charity)
Start Messy, Not Perfect
- Charity underscores the importance of beginning before you feel ready or have everything perfect:
  
  “You need to start even when you are messy, when you don’t know what you’re doing... You don’t have to get it perfect.” (61:06, Charity)

Personal Fulfillment & Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Filling the Emotional Gap
- Charity views her brand as helping others find the support and education she lacked:
  
  “If I have the knowledge and I’m passing on to other people and they are learning and seeing results, I’m happy. I’m fulfilling a purpose.” (57:48, Charity)
Advice for Graduates and Career-Changers ([54:52])
- Don’t wait for government jobs; pursue your own venture based on real passion.
- Emphasizes longevity through “showing up,” reinvestment, and consistency, not quick enrichment.

Book Recommendation

Femi Otedola’s Biography
- “[His] story motivated me… It’s not about getting a head start. It’s about knowing what you are doing.” (70:08, Charity)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Handling Doubters:

“I did not care. If you’re going to be on the Internet and promote your business, you don’t have to care about what people say.” (41:26, Charity)
On Using TikTok Wisely:

“I wish small business owners would take TikTok serious… the business of every business is giving value.” (35:22, Charity)
On Making Sure Your Products Have Meaning:

“If you want to bring your product, you have to have knowledge about it… you need to know something about what you are selling.” (48:26, Charity)
On Emotional Drive’s Link to Success:

“A little bit of attention seeking has helped here because it made me push myself more. I want to be seen, I want to be heard.” (14:40, Charity)
Best Advice:

“Don’t price for approval, price for sustainability.” (69:32, Charity)

Timestamps for Key Segments

[00:32] Mindset for business success—be prepared for a gradual journey
[07:05] The roots of her entrepreneurial motivation: desire for control and freedom
[25:47] First-hand story of discovering and launching her business with no money
[29:54] Viral moment: making 20,000 GHS in 24 hours via Snapchat
[35:22] Transition to TikTok and the power of value-driven education
[43:00] Step-by-step breakdown of importing and registering new products in Ghana
[50:24] Main business challenge: Regulatory (FDA) hurdles
[61:06] Advice: Start before perfect, stay authentic and present online
[63:51] Deep-dive on the right way to price for business longevity

Flow & Tone

The conversation is candid, relatable, and motivational, combining hard-won business strategies with real emotional honesty and authenticity. Charity’s practical advice is rooted in lived experience and a mission to help women, especially in Africa, overcome both economic and societal barriers.

Conclusion

Charity’s journey is a roadmap for ambitious entrepreneurs, especially young Africans and women. Her story affirms that with resourcefulness, consistent value-giving, and emotional resilience, it’s possible to build significant success—starting from nothing and leveraging tools already in your hands. For those looking to start a business, scale via social selling, or overcome limiting beliefs, this episode is a masterclass in mindset, strategy, and purposeful hustle.