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.