Unlock Success: I Made 800K on TikTok Selling Products Nobody Talks About (Step-By-Step)

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[A]

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

[B]

just selling on Snapchat.

[A]

Snapchat alone.

[B]

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]

First of all, you have to.

[B]

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

[A]

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]

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

[A]

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]

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]

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]

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

[A]

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]

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?

[A]

I'm doing well. Thank you for inviting me.

[B]

Yeah, thank you for coming.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, when you start doing business, every minute counts. So for you to take time out of your busy schedule to come and sit here with me, I appreciate it. You know, I appreciate it. So why should anyone watch this conversation to the end?

[A]

Okay, so I'll say I'm here for the small business owners. People who wants to start a business, people who have started and they don't know how to go about it. People who wants to learn how to use social media. Right. To, you know, promote their business and also make something out of it. I'm here for them. So if you are now starting, if you want to start, maybe you want to start a business, you don't know where to start from. I'm here for you. I want to show you how I did it because I did it alone. And I believe you can also do it.

[B]

I. I love it. You did it alone.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But before we even get through your business aspect, now talk me through the home you came from.

[A]

Yeah, so my parents are farmers. Commercial. I don't know if I should put it as commercial. I mean, they are commercial farmers. And yeah, they were doing well. They are doing. They are still doing well. So I came from a good home. I don't know. Yeah, that's a good home. Because even though we have our own small differences, I love my parents. Yeah, I look up to them. They're the reason why I always wake up and I want to, you know, push forward. Because they are getting old and these people haven't stopped. They wake up every day to their farms. They are still working. Ever since I've known my parents, they've been doing well with their farming and they are still doing well. So they are my motivation to keep going every day. Yeah.

[B]

What exactly have you learned from your parents that has helped you today?

[A]

My parents. Hard work pays. Yeah, hard work, pace. Because when I was growing up, I've seen people. I mean, I don't want to sound anyway, but I've seen people come to my parents for loans, for school fees. My mom has. My parents are six kids, five girls, one boy. And all of us are educated. We've been to university. And I never saw them borrowing money or anything. It's like they did it through their farming. So I believe any small thing, if you build on it, you're consistent, it's going to yield something. They've done well. So I give them that. They've really done well. Says kids all educated, giving, I'll say, a good life.

[B]

So interesting you mentioned education. What's the education level of your mom and dad?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

All right.

[A]

I'm not. I mean, I didn't stay with them.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Funny enough, I didn't stay with my parents and I didn't even know them. So I left them when I was two years.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I haven't really stayed with them for a long time. I stay with them for a month, I go back to school and just like that.

[B]

So the reason I'm asking the question is that we have families that, you know, a farming community, they educate their kids, you know, top schools, you know, they become about wine cratches.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The vibe. And the parents themselves may not even have, you know, tertiary education.

[A]

They are not that educated.

[B]

Right. And then my next question is that you have these kids who come out of universities, but they don't do what their parents do, what their parents did to take care of them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You see what I'm trying to say?

[A]

Yes. Well, it depends on what you grew up seeing. Honestly, I didn't see my parents when I was growing up, but I heard about them. I've seen the times I've gone there, I've seen what they do, the little I'm seeing. I like to pick from people. So when I go to them and then I see what they are doing, I'm like, they're doing well because they wake up every morning around like four. I cannot wake up at four. But this is for working out four, getting ready to go to the farm and you know, they don't stop. Whether they are tired or they take some rest and then they get back to it. They don't have the. It's like they don't have the option to stop by their own business. Like they are farming. They can decide to rest or not, but they don't rest. So I picked that from them. Like, I think I need to keep going. Yeah. If they are old and they are still not looking for rest, but they still want to go back to what they are doing, then I have no reason to rest until I've gotten to where I want to get to.

[B]

You genuinely felt that your parents have, you know, the financial freedom and they've had it for a long time.

[A]

Long time, Right? Long time.

[B]

So would that be the main reason why you also started this journey?

[A]

Yeah. I've always wanted to be a business person. Honestly, I've never wanted to be a 9 to 5. Why? No shade to the 9 to 5. But I. I would say I grew up alone and I don't like being controlled. I've tried nine to five. I don't like being controlled, being disrespected and, you know, all that. I mean, being a business owner comes with that. But right now it's my own thing. I'm not receiving it from somewhere else. So I felt like I wanted to do things at my own pace. So right from when I knew what I wanted to be, I've always wanted to be a business person. Just that maybe I didn't know the exact thing I wanted to do up till now, but I just wanted to be a businesswoman.

[B]

So you mentioned you've always wanted to be a business woman. Your parents were farmers, right? They had their own things that they were doing. Why did you not live with them? You said you spent too much time.

[A]

My mom was very busy. She, she. I mean, she's still busy. She's a very busy woman. So all of us, all the kids we didn't stay with, we went to family. Friends, uncles, aunties, we all stayed. So I was two years when I left them, when they took me to Ekiapem to stay with one of my aunties. And yeah, all of us stayed in different places.

[B]

The home you grew up in, were they business people as well?

[A]

H. Yes. Okay. They also picked a part of the farming, but that one too, they had nine to five. And then, you know, the farming aspect. So I think farming is just the basics of my family. Taking from my grandfather's side, he was a great farmer, has lawns everywhere, so married six women, so you know those stuff. So he, he, he had lands and all that. So he was a farmer. And I think he passed it on to decades. So everyone has a little bit of farming in them.

[B]

Well, are you eventually going to end up doing some farming projects?

[A]

Maybe one day, yeah.

[B]

You don't like it? This is the thing I see.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So my grandmother was a farmer, My stepfather was a farmer. My mom not a farmer. But, you know, I grew up in a farming community as well. I've grown up and I don't really have the desire to do farming, but I'm always looking for an aspect of farming that I can still be able to add value to what I learned as. I mean, that's what took care of us.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But us, because we've, you know, had university and all of that, we always try to stay away from it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But I think we can always find a good balance, whether it's agro processing, you know, Supplying, export, something.

[A]

I think if I want to be a farmer, I'll go into poetry.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, I'll try poetry.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Or pig farming.

[B]

Or big file.

[A]

Awesome. Right.

[B]

So let's talk about your plans when you were growing up, what you really wanted to become, like as. As far back as when you were like 12 years old, all the way to 16 years old. What were you thinking?

[A]

I've always wanted to be a journalist. That is what I wanted to do. Not now, but when I was growing up.

[B]

You can swap seats and then you interview.

[A]

I wanted to be a journalist. And then, you know, I think somewhere in shs, before going to university, I had a conversation from. We're having a conversation about, you know, we going to invest in what you're going to do and all that. And one girl said, the uncle is into construction and he makes a lot of money and I like money. So I was like, you know, let me put the journalism aside and go and do construction in university.

[B]

So there's an aspect of me that keeps thinking that you have wanted money for a very long time.

[A]

I want money. I. I don't. I mean, I like money, but. But it's freedom, but.

[B]

Right, okay.

[A]

I like freedom. Yeah. So. And I think if you have money, you have a certain level of freedom. So, yeah, I've. I've loved money for a long time.

[B]

So I will take you back again to the family you grew up in.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Were you restricted in any way?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

When it comes. My parents were doing well, but we didn't have it, like, you know, easy. My mom is not going to let you have it easy. So we were restricted when it comes to money.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

She wouldn't let you have it your way.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. So because of that, I've wanted money to make my own money so that I can, you know, enjoy it.

[B]

But how about the auntie and uncle you grew up with? Were they. How would. What was their. Their views on money?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, okay, they were okay, but, you know, my parents were doing better and we were living. We're living okay. My parents are still taking care of me. They were not the ones taking care of me. So money was coming to them so that they take care of me. That is how my mom and my dad did it. So I'm trying, but I'm not really sure of their monetary and financial situation because I was very young.

[B]

I'm trying to figure out what aspect of your life made you start thinking of freedom.

[A]

Would you want me to put that here? Because, I mean, I Never had it easy.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I never had it easy. I grew up with different people, I got different type of treatment from other people, you know, more treating and you know, all those stuff. So even though it made me tough, it made me wanted like freedom so much because I was tired of being with people, so. Right. I think from 14, I've lived alone from 14 years.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yes. From 14 years, I, I think SHS. I went to the SHS and I never went back home. I never went back home. I went to my big sister, the one I'm after. I went to stay with her and she was mostly not at home. So I had the freedom to be alone, do things on my own, but you know, I was level headed not to misbehave that. I think that's also. So I've always wanted to have my freedom.

[B]

Okay. Right. I think I'm figuring something out. So, Charity, did you feel like you didn't have the attention you, you needed?

[A]

I never had it.

[B]

Huh.

[A]

Even so now I never had any attention from parents, from the people I stayed with, you know, So I, I, I used to crave for it so much and I was like, since they're not giving it to me, I mean, I don't want to even, I want to be alone because I'm not getting anything from you guys. I want to be alone. So I wasn't, they didn't pay attention to me that much, so they don't even know me much. That's why, you know, before we started this, I told you my mom was against me coming to Accra and I was like, it's because she doesn't know me well, but if she knew me, she knew I wouldn't engage in some of the things she thought I would engage myself in when I get to Accra here. You know, Accra has that perception that once you come here, see that you are doing men, prostitution, you know, all that. And she was thinking that, but I felt like she didn't know me well, so that's why she was thinking that way.

[B]

I think I figured something out. I've spoken to enough business people to know that there's always a drive.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Inside. And I think I worked it out. But watch this. That's your desire to want attention has translated to you wanting to become financially successful.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Is that, is that so that people can now pay attention to your, your needs and.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Yes. I think a little bit of attention seeking has helped here because it made me push myself more. I want to be seen, I want

[B]

to be Heard, this is the time

[A]

I want to be seen. I want to be heard. So I like speaking to people. I like teaching. I like, you know, setting the camera and, you know, talking about stuff. So when I found out I can do this business, I was like, I've learned it. Honestly, people don't even have what is in my head I want to point out to people. So it was. I mean, yeah, that's how it all started. Because I wanted to be seen, I wanted to be heard. And my God's grace.

[B]

Did anybody sit you down to listen to your problems when you were a child?

[A]

Never.

[B]

I'm sorry, but this is turning into a therapy.

[A]

I never. And I wish someone did, honestly, I wish someone did, but never. No one listened. I mean, I didn't even have anyone to go to because my mom was so some a very hard person to deal with. We were so scared of her. My dad was very soft and, you know that My mom was so scared of her. So if you have a problem, you keep it to yourself. And I didn't grow up with my siblings, so I didn't know who to talk to. So I would rather hold it inside of me and not talk to anyone.

[B]

And, you know, as a young girl growing up, anybody you know, any of your parents tell you they are proud of you, you know, you're beautiful. Those words never had, never heard that

[A]

I've been through one more treatment to the other. So I said I wanted my freedom. I don't want to stay with anyone again. I'm okay being alone. So. And I've been alone since then. You know, it has its bad side, but the good side is also.

[B]

What is the bad side?

[A]

I think it makes you want to keep to yourself. One of my biggest problems is networking. I'm always at home working. I'm not able to go out network with people, you know, but sometimes I feel like I want to do that. I want to get to know people. I want people to get to know me. But it's like I don't want people in my business. So I always keep to myself and my two friends.

[B]

Yeah, you not staying with your parents, people you know more treating you, not feeling hurt has created the human being we are seeing today.

[A]

Definitely.

[B]

Are you proud of what you've achieved?

[A]

I am so proud. I never thought I would get here because, you know, I've done so many things through pain to be neglected and, you know, all that and being able to push through because no one got me here except me and God. So I'm very Proud. I'm able to get to this point anytime I'm, you know, spending and overspending. My. My friends would be like, she has been through a lot. So, you know, I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I'm here because it's been a tough journey. I started working very early in life. I've sold gobbe. I've sold food by the roadside. I've carried water on my head, you know, from eight Accra. No, Kumasi. From eighteen is it market. I've forgotten the name, but they call it something 18 something. From there I'll carry water on my head. Straight to race course back and forth. I've been through it. I've been through it and I know how it feels like. So I want to be somewhere that I don't have to remember those times again. Yeah. If you're still.

[B]

Still here with me, I'd like to know in the comments if you're enjoying this conversation. We are supposed to be talking about money.

[A]

Money.

[B]

But I'm trying to figure out the path that has created the charity I'm looking at. The path is important and I think not just. Not just this story, but I've picked up several patterns, even with me, myself and several other business people have Internet interviewed. And there's always neglect, superiority, complex and wanting to be seen.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Feeling like they have a voice.

[A]

Yes. You know, all right.

[B]

Some people have come from families where their opinion did not matter. So they have seen that as a way of, nah, I need to really work hard to make money because money has become like the ultimate through which people tend to respect people in societies.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So they go and get the money and now families will be calling them. What do you think about this? Has this happened to you?

[A]

Yes. I mean, before we started, I told you right now when they. I'm not like they need, but right now when they want to make a decision, they call me. It wasn't like that at first, you know, but now no decision goes in the family without it passing through me. And sometimes I'm not interested, but, you know, I just have to put my one or two there.

[B]

Charity, if you become a parent, what would you do differently?

[A]

I think I'll show my kids how to love themselves. I think I'll pour into my kids. Yeah. I'll point to my kids. It's very important. And I'll make my kids my friend. Not for them to be afraid of me. I don't want my kids because we were so much afraid of my mom. I think it's just now that we are not so scared. But at first you can't go to her for anything, you can't tell her anything. My dad you can. But you know, because of my mom's side, you're not to go to my dad. And cuz my dad is very calm, he doesn't like problem, he's very calm. So whatever it is, he doesn't like to, you know, interfere with whatever my mom is doing. But yeah, I'll show my kids how to love themselves cuz I suffered from that a lot and I'll show them, I'll point to them, I'll point to them. Yeah, and support them.

[B]

When you decided to come to Accra, who was with you and who was against you?

[A]

My dad was the only one with me. But anyone else my siblings didn't know, but I mean they knew but you know, they were always if my mom says no, it's no. I see, if my mom says no, it's no. She said no, but I said yes because I felt like she doesn't know me like she thinks she does. So I'm not saying disrespect your parents, but I knew what I wanted and I wasn't going to get it in Kumasi. I was in Kumasi right after K Ns. I didn't go anywhere. I parked my stuff straight to Accra. I didn't know where I was going, I didn't know where I was. I was supposed to go to a friend. Until today I've not seen my friend. She never picked up my call after I got to. I think that's a long story, you know. So I had to lodge in a total stranger's house, stay there for a long time, for about a month or two hours. I was starting my service and all that, so my boss helped me rent. And yeah, that's where I started from, right? From in university. I was like, I want to come to Accra.

[B]

Let me stop you here for a minute. So if it's your first time watching Connected Minds or you have been here before but still have not subscribed, do us a favor because majority of the people that watch our videos have not subscribed. This doesn't help us grow beyond what we expect. So help us by hitting the subscribe button. Thank you. Now let's get back to the conversation. What is it about Accra that made you want to come to Accra?

[A]

I don't Kumasi have family in Kumas. I wanted to be away from my family. I wanted to be away from family, order to be alone. Like if they want to get to me, they have to pick a car and come. I didn't want them to get access to me so easily. I think maybe because I was so hurt and you know, because I went, I packed my stuff and went to university alone and you know, invest people are coming with their parents, their grandmothers and all that from the whole family could, you know, bring you to the university. I carried my bag and went to Knust alone. So. And then I went there. No one came to visit me. Charity.

[B]

I went to university alone as well. Yeah, there's a lot of. But this conversation is very therapeutic, even for me. Yeah, you know, but let's talk about money. Let's talk about money.

[A]

Right?

[B]

There's a temptation to carry on, but I want to talk about money.

[A]

Talk about money.

[B]

So let's do this right. So you came to Accra?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then you started your service?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, now talk me through the journey from there to starting your business.

[A]

Okay. So when I was coming to Accra, I had met someone and then the person was like, he's opening a shop, then he will need someone to manage the shop. An apple shop, it's going to big. And then he needed someone to take out the shop and he realized I was respectful and you know, all that. So instead of going to the field to work like my colleagues, I went to work in an apple shop somewhere around Sphinx. So right when I was working there, things were getting weird, you know, men and women stuff. So I was like, no, un ended. So I didn't even complete my service. I completed in seven months. So I went to the NSS office and filed for completion. So I just finished and then I only stay home trying to figure out what to do. So I had an opportunity to go and work with someone, work under someone in the construction field. But I wasn't getting much from it. It's like I wake up, go to work and I'm not being paid, I'm not learning anything. If I want to be on the site with you, I want to learn. Not just I want to learn on the job as well. But I wasn't getting that. So I was like taking. I mean I'm taking transportation in and out, I'm eating, I'm spending about 20 cities daily. That was like a lot of money for me. And I'm not getting paid. Just I saved a lot from my previous work. So I was surviving on that for a while and I realized, no, my money is Going to get finished. So I'm not going to go to work again. I woke up, I went to work one day, and I was so depressed. I wouldn't say depressed, but so sad. I cried, I cried, I cried. I called my friend. I was like, come back home. So I went back home, and I never showed up to the work again. And then I stayed home for about two years. And just to, you know, clarify stuff, I met someone. I mean, someone. A guy from my workplace who was doing well. So that two years that I was home, you know, he came through for me. But I realized the relationship was not serving me again. And then right from then, I started femlux.

[B]

The relationship was not serving you?

[A]

No, because I didn't want to be at home and not do anything. It's like I'm. I'm at home, I'm not doing anything. I'm not making any money. I have to depend on a man. And I wasn't comfortable. So I started planning what to do. So I was doing so many other things, but I wasn't. It wasn't passion. I was just doing it. And I wasn't seeing any results. I was like, I love feminine hygiene, you know, and that's where fam last came about.

[B]

Yeah, but then where did you get the money to start the business?

[A]

Good. So as I said, I didn't start with any money. I didn't start. I just had the idea. I didn't even have the idea. Let me start from. Right, let's start from the beginning. So I buy from some lady, and then I realized she's selling something that I'm interested in. And I've used that product before, and I bought it around like 350 cities, but she was selling it way lesser than I bought. I bought mine. So I was like, I think a lot of ladies would need this. So I bought from her and tested it, and I didn't even. It didn't come to my mind. When I bought stuff first, I wasn't thinking about business. I said I wanted to try it because instead of buying for 350, someone is selling this lesser. Let me try it. If it works, then I'll be buying from her. So I bought it, it worked, and I forgot about it. Then one day my friend came. I was like, she's looking for something. I was like, oh, I buy from this lady. Not the same product, though. She wanted something. And I realized that lady sells the same thing. So let me go to the page. I went to the page and I saw it and I Was like, I'm making a big mistake. I can make a business out of it. So let me go and speak to this lady. So I called my friend and I was like, I found a business idea. I want to start selling this product. He was like, are you sure? How are you going to start the money? So we were on the phone for hours planning and I was like, I'm going to do drop shipping. More or less like drop shipping. I'm going to buy from her. I mean when people, I'll post it when people buy, I forward it to her, the order to her and then she would deliver to the people. So I spoke to the lady and I was like, I'm going to post your product. If people likes it, then you deliver to them for me. And right there, the same day we came up with the idea. By noon in the afternoon I posted it and nearly I posted so many people in the first 24 hours of my business, I got more than 100 orders.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

I got more than 100 orders. That should tell you how much people needed that product.

[B]

Where did you post Snapchat?

[A]

I started my business from Snapchat. I didn't know how to use, I mean I knew how to use other social medias but Snapchat was where I was very active. I had little followers, so. But then that's the same day I came up with the business idea. I knew one influencer so I paid her right away to post it for me.

[B]

So I went, where did you get the money to pay?

[A]

I had saved from my previous relationship. I saved about 10k that time. Thank you. I was like, big money.

[B]

So this person that you with was

[A]

a very good guy to you, good, very kind care of you. He did.

[B]

And in fact that's how you were surviving at the time.

[A]

Yeah. Okay, so he was doing well. And I also tried to save, not just spend and you know, enjoy the life at that moment. So I saved with my friend, not with myself cuz I know I'll spend it. So I saved with my friend. And then I didn't start the business with money doa. I needed money to make it move. So the others were coming in. I was forwarding it to this lady and I think she was swarmed with the others. She didn't know what to do again and was like, it's stressful, she can't do it again. At that moment I didn't know, like that was 24 hours into the business

[B]

and she said it's stressful, she can't do it again.

[A]

She doesn't know because she, I mean, she's not used to. Because the people. And people believed me. And they were paying. At that time, no one was coming to me with let me do payments on delivery stuff when you come and how I even thought, I mean, I just put the price there and people were ready to pay. I was like, really? People are ready to pay just like that. So they were paying and I was forwarding it to her. And then she started delivering the next day. I think we started in the evening. So the next day she started delivering. And then that was where I also thought of making it better because she was just putting it in a rubber and sending it out. And a product of that magnitude, you can't just send it out just like that. It was risky. Okay, so that is where the idea started from forwarding it to her. And then I was paying the influencer to keep posting it, keep posting it for me because the orders are coming. And in a span of 24 hours, I've made about 20,000 Ghana cities.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Even more. Okay. And I was like, wow.

[B]

Just selling on Snapchat.

[A]

Snapchat alone, no other platform. I didn't even like WhatsApp. I didn't, I didn't even. I didn't like Tick Tock, Instagram, those stuff. I didn't like it. I think it was a year into my business before I started Tick Tock and just Snapchat. But that one, you need to pay influencers. And I didn't mind so far as the money was coming. I was just paying them to, you know, keep posting for me, keep posting for me. And then the others were coming. I've sold about 500 pieces in a span of about two to three weeks.

[B]

How did that make you feel when you started making money from the business?

[A]

I was like, sit tight. I told myself, sit tight, you are now starting. Because it was just one product. And I didn't, I was like, I can do this better. So, you know, in a span of 24 hours, this lady was already tired. I had to think on my feet. I was like, how am I going to make things better? So I asked her, do you do wholesale? She said yes. I was like, okay, I want wholesale. I want 3,000 pieces. And they are 30 in a container, so I think thousand. Each piece is like 33 and you get a three containers or so. Yeah, something like that. So I was like, I want to host. So she said she doesn't have a lot of products and the monies were coming in. I didn't know how to tell them to stop because the money, that's the first time I'm making like some good, substantial money. And I don't know how I'm. I was like, so what do you think? And then she was not even replying me. I was getting scared because people are giving me their money. I didn't know how to say, don't buy, don't send the money. I. I was just taking the money and I was so overwhelmed. My friend came to me to give me moral support because I didn't know what to do again. So I went on Instagram and I was searching where to get wholesale. And then I realized I can get it from somewhere else instead of hair. So I think that was about three days later. And then I just paused. I wasn't taking orders again. I was like, they should wait. Our products are sold out. When they come, people are ready to pay and wait. So those who are ready to wait, they paid. And I think giving value does the basis of business. Because I didn't just start posting, I had knowledge about what it was about. So I was giving them why. Even though it was just the first day I started a business, I was giving them why they should get this product.

[B]

Because it's a product you had been using for.

[A]

I've used. And then I realized a lot of ladies need that, right? So I. I saw the wholesaler I bought from and it was outside the country. So that was when I went to my friend. I was like, the money with you, I would need it because I don't want to buy small and I want to buy a lot. So I started with I think 3, 000 pieces. She brought it. I. It wasn't enough because I had so many orders there and people were now getting angry. So I was like, let me take the bold move and then order for 10, 000 pieces. I ordered for 10,000 pieces. It got sold the same day. But let me go back. So whilst I was searching for these things, I had to think about my packaging. I couldn't put it in, just the rubber and all that. So I went on Instagram once again, search for a designer. Search for. So it's like everything was just shop, shop. I needed a chop shop. So the guy designed for me. Within two days, she bought the things, the stickers and then containers. I have to get containers. And you know, it was just one product, so it was easy to do things. But people were not patient. They felt like I've scammed them. They were angry. Going back to the influencer. Telling the influencer I've taken their money and I'm. I didn't know what to do at that time. But, yeah, I think taking the boldest move has gotten me to this point.

[B]

So now, how many products do you have?

[A]

I have about 12 to 15 products.

[B]

And this is all FDA approved? Most of them.

[A]

Yes, most of them are. Most of them doesn't require approval. Yeah. And then most of them that. Some are approved, some are still under the. With FDA going through the approval process.

[B]

Awesome. I love it. And now your plan is to make this business very big.

[A]

Yes, I want to make it firm, Lux. I, you know, I used to. Yes, I want to make it firm, Lux, because I see it as a brand on its own. I used to take from. Let's say we have feminine washers that I take from other people. But right now we are going into our own production. It requires a lot, and I'm not rushing the process. I want to take my time and. And go through the process and then, you know, come up with my own production and all that. So I think we've started with probiotics for femlux and then we are taking it to FDA for approval. And then from there we are bringing in our own feminine washes, which we are yet to get the samples. I traveled to China for that to, you know, because I was very specific about my ingredients, about who I'm trying to serve, what I want my customers to get out of the product. So I had to travel for that. So I went. And then I'm able to. I was able to find suppliers, manufacturers. We spoke about it. It requires like a large sum, but I told them I wanted a sample first. I want to make sure it's approved before I come there for a large scale. So, yeah, we are still on it, but now femlax is okay. It's doing well. Okay, now.

[B]

Wow, what a story. So you move from Snapchat.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Built a business.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then a year after you go

[A]

on Tick Tock, that. Yes.

[B]

So talk to me through your journey on building your business on Tick Tock as well.

[A]

Okay. So it all started with Snapchat. Snapchat was taking my account because, you know, feminine hygiene. I was teaching people. You barely see me hold a product and sell. I teach people. Then I tell you why you need this product. So. And sometimes they are explicit because feminine hygiene, you need to mention it as it is. And people are so. I don't see Ghanaians doing that. It's like they are scared to mention Those stuff. But I was so confident to mention them. And then Snapchat and then there was, when I started, there was not much competition, competition started coming in and people were so, you know, decided reporting my account and all that. So I'll create an account, they will take it. I'll create an account, they will take it. And my customers were looking for me. And at that time I had paid a lot of. I've spent about 80,000 Ghana cities with influencers to make sure that my products are on the minds of people, on the lips of people. So I invested so much in influencer advertisement. Then even though they were not finding my pages, they were still looking for me. So I was like, you know what, I don't like WhatsApp but I'm going on WhatsApp. So I created another account and then, you know, these influencers posted for me. People came to add me and I was like, we are moving to WhatsApp so please add me on WhatsApp. And I think in a day I had about 600 people testing me to save their contact. I mean people need education and they love the father. I made them feel like whatever they are going through, I'm also going through it or I've been through it. So yeah, people love that aspect of me. So they came and then I started posting on Tick Tock. Yeah, I think that was 2024. Yeah, I started posting on Tick Tock and Tick Tock also did its own thing. I mean Tick Tock. I wish small business owners would take a Tick Tock. Serious, take me through it. Why? You know, the business of every business is giving value.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I know what I sell, I know the value. If I'm able to talk about it, well, I know I can attract my people. So I didn't go on TikTok and just go and fool. You barely see me on there dancing. I'm not dancing. I'm here for business. So I sit down and I tell the ladies what they need to hear because I know what you need to hear because I wish I had those stuff. So I tell them what they need to hear and they fall in love with it and then they come to me. So I'm not just selling products, I'm giving them value. I'm teaching them how to, you know, take care of themselves. They are mothers, they have. I have some of the celebs patronize me. I have pastors, wives, like I have a lot of people come to me which they don't even have idea about the things I talk about, okay. So it's like they get to learn from me. So people will just come and be like, I want to learn from you, so please save my number when you post. I only see it. So that's how I started Tick Tock. I wasn't going there to dance and do stuff. I wanted to give value of the product I'm selling. I wanted ladies to learn and for the ladies. So I wanted them to learn. And then I was teaching. I was just teaching. And then my God's grace, it picked up.

[B]

How has TikTok pushed your business in terms of percentage? Like if you say, okay, Snapchat pushed it, maybe about 20. How much do you think Tick Tock?

[A]

I think right now say Tick tock is about 90.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Because for the whole of 2025, let's say from I started in 2023, I was paying influencers for adverts. That was so good. But you know, money was going into it and I don't like to go and just I don't want you to post my products alone. I want you to talk about it. So I don't pay the small, small amount. I pay for ambassad dues. I pay for. I don't care. All my business to be on the left of people in the minds of people. So I, when I go to them, I pay them good amount of money to, you know, promote my business for me. Then, you know, all this came about and I was like, Tick Tock is now about 90 or 95. Honestly, I just have to post on Tick Tock now.

[B]

Adam, what did you do differently? I mean, there are people that have businesses on TikTok and it's not working for them. What are you going to tell them?

[A]

You need to give value. You okay, Every product has its value. If you are selling clothes, you can show people how to style the clothes. If you are selling shoes, teach people how to style the shoes. You don't just post shoes. I don't need that shoes. If I'm wearing this heels or I'm wearing this dress, tell me what shoe I can match with the dress. If someone comes to you to buy the shoe, the dress, she might add the shoe to it because you styled it for them. Every business has its value. That is what you are supposed to be pushing out value of what you are selling. Push that one out. I was only pushing the value out. I mean, I saw feminine hygiene products so I was teaching about feminine hygiene. And if I'm able to teach you about the feminine hygiene, it means you Need a product. I will chip in my products for you to know that. Okay, this is what I used. Okay, this is the benefit of this. This is the benefits of that. And it brings the people. So you have to give value. You don't have to just go and post. Let's say you want to sell this MacBook to me. I don't. This iPad, I don't know a lot of things about iPad, so why should I buy it? Let me know why I need an iPad. As a business owner, let me know how I why I need an iPad. As a person, if I want to buy a camera, why do I need a camera? Let me know why I need that camera. Maybe I'm okay with my phones, recording with my phone, but maybe a camera has good quality. State the qualities that this camera has. You don't just post that you are selling camera. No one really cares. But if you take a video with a camera or you compare it with the phone or this is a phone's camera, this is the camera itself. You push people. If someone is serious, they go for the camera. So you have to show the value of all the importance of me having the camera. You don't just post it. I don't care about camera. So I could have posted my product. But no one cares.

[B]

When you posted that you had made, I think 800k on tick tock, I mean, you know how it was. A lot of people did not believe you. How did that make you feel?

[A]

I did not care. I think I've passed the stage. Why I care about what someone says. If you're going to be on the Internet and promote your business, you don't have to care about what people says. You have to know that one thing I always say is so far as I know my product works, I'm giving value. I don't care about hotel. You say I said I made 800k from. What do you call it? Tik Tok. If you think I didn't make that, that is okay. The money is in my account. Not in your account. I would feel bad if I was lying, but I made more than that. I was just saying, you know, just to as a hook. But I made more than that from just Tik Tok. Because I keep pushing. I don't stop. I keep pushing making videos. When I travel, I'm making videos and I'm here, I'm making videos. So I'm always working, trying to put some something good out there, you know. So if you say I didn't make it, that is okay.

[B]

Let me stop you here for a minute. So if it's your first time watching Connected Minds or you have been here before but still have not subscribed, do us a favor because majority of the people that watch our videos have not subscribed. This doesn't help us grow beyond what we we expect. So help us by hitting the subscribe button. Thank you. Now let's get back to the conversation. There's a young lady watching you right now and she's thinking of starting a business. 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]

Okay. So I think first of all you have to scout for the products you want to sell, what product you want to sell, and then you search for the value of the which, I mean the importance of what you are selling. Which type of people are you selling this to? Who is your audience? Who do you want to sell this product to? That's the first and what problem. I think that's one thing we forget. If you are selling anything, think about the problem it can solve. I am solving so many ladies products and that is why, you know, they come to me. So you have to know the problem that product can solve. Once you've been able to identify that, you think about where you're going to get it from. So now we have China. We have. I've been to China, I've been to Turkey. And you know, you have to search the Internet where you think you can get it from. But I think China will be best. If you want to use China, China will be best. Go to Alibaba. Alibaba is so easy to use. So just go to Alibaba, learn how to. I mean this, I know how to ship. I ship my containers from China. No one taught me. People want to be taught before they take a step. Sometimes you need to start, get the idea, play on the apps. I was just playing on Alibaba. I ordered some stuff. You know, people say they're going to you. I mean right now we have YouTube, we have tick Tock. People teach these things. You don't need someone to sit you down and say learn this before you learn. If you're ready to learn. There are so many materials on the Internet. So I just watched one or two videos of how to order from Alibaba. And that was around even before I started my business, 2021. And then I ordered from some. I ordered for some stuff and then they came and I was like, okay, so anytime I'm free. I'll go to the app and play around. And you know that. So when I started my business it was so easy for me to know how to order from there. So since you're now starting play on the apps, go to YouTube, learn, go to Tick Tock, learn how to do this stuff. Don't wait for someone to say I'm selling a course before you buy the course. Huh? Don't wait for someone to come and sit you down. No one has your time. You should have your own time. So you go and learn those stuff. Then you learn. I mean you go to Alibaba, you look for who you want to buy it from, compare prices, ask different suppliers, compare prices and then make sure they are legit. When you go to Alibaba they have verified suppliers. Since you are a beginner, make sure you are buying from a verified supplier. Then you know, you start from there. So first of all identify the problem. The problem you want to solve, the problem your product is going to solve or whatever you are bringing. What problem is it going to solve then? If it's a product that people are going to take in insert and those things, look at the ingredients, is it okay for you or I mean not for you but is it something people can take in? Learner. That's one thing I do. I learn about the ingredients that are in everything that I sell because I use my own product. If I wouldn't want to die, I wouldn't want you to die. So you start from there and then you start looking for suppliers, talk to your suppliers and that I mean does it once they're able to find a supplier and then they're able to ship to you, they want to ship to you. Now you find a shipping company you can, I mean there are so many. I've been using AKT for years. They are reliable. So you just look for. I think I've shipped with Bengai once or twice. Yeah, but then you also go to you. There are so many things on the Internet I always say, I always tell people, use your phones. Well, I don't care about gossip. I don't go on the Internet. I'm looking for gist. I don't care about anyone's business the same way I don't want anyone to care about my business. So when I go there I'm ready to learn about something. I don't, I don't go there to look for gossip. So they should go there and use it to learn instead of looking for gossip, you know. So yeah, anything you. I feel like anything you want is on the Internet right now. People make it for free. I learned everything I know from YouTube those times it was YouTube. I even started YouTube channel and so much work. So I stopped. I think everything you need is on the Internet. So for us you're ready to learn and understand. Is there.

[B]

Now the product gets to Ghana. Let's say it's a product you insert or a product you take in as a pill. Now what are the steps here?

[A]

Okay, so first you go to fda, they will let you do lab analysis. So you send it for lab analysis first before you send it to FDA for registration. So I think that's just how much

[B]

roughly does the lab analysis cost for one product?

[A]

Lab analysis I think it was okay, I sent a lot of products and I don't know the pricing. One between thousand to three thousand days, something like that.

[B]

Okay, so you've got your lab analysis. Now let's go to fd. How much would they charge you to register the product?

[A]

I think it depends. If it's an imported product, they charge differently. If locally made is, they charge differently.

[B]

Okay, so imported products in this case, what would it be?

[A]

I think the one I did, I paid about 5, $500. They charge in dollars if it's imported.

[B]

Okay. And if it's locally,

[A]

it depends on the product actually. It depends. Yeah.

[B]

Okay, so in this case as you have described, then that young lady would need some money to do that. But your way was the smartest way,

[A]

which is you need to start something. Yeah, right.

[B]

And then you find a product and then you advertise to the audience and the product name does not need to belong to you. No, you sell somebody's products whether it's online or drop shipping, just make sure

[A]

you know, you know a lot about what you are selling. You have the knowledge about it. If you don't know, you learn. Don't just bring something you can't explain. It's like opening a saloon and you don't know how to even wash hair. That saloon is going to collapse because you don't know anything about saloons. You just needed money or you had the support so you went to open it. So if you want to bring your product, you have to have a knowledge about it. And I think when it comes to even products, you don't need to do your own production from the start. I mean you get from somewhere to sell, but you need to know something about what you are selling. Because there are a lot of things that can come with. You know, there are people who go and swallow when it's supposed to be inserted. There are people who insert when it's supposed to be swallowed. You should know what you are doing enough that when they come to you, you should know the solution. If you don't have any idea of what you are doing, I think you're not in for a long term.

[B]

You think people are usually more focused on the money than the value they give to people?

[A]

Yes. And that is where I picked mine from. The person I bought from the first time who was selling it for like 350, she was just posting when I went to her page. She doesn't tell people what it does, you know, she assumed that everyone knew what the product does, but people didn't know. But when I came in, when I started a lot of, I mean I think I was even the first person to sell such a product and then I still learned about it from university because it's ladies problem and I went through it and I needed a solution. I wish someone was there to help me understand how to do things better. How to take care of myself, how to do that, how to do that. I wasn't getting it. So when I saw that, okay, this helped me, I started teaching ladies how to take care of themselves. And then whilst doing taking care of yourself, you can use this product in addition. So that is how it started. So you have to give certain kind of, you know, value for people to. You can't just go into it and be like I only sell this and that is all. It hasn't worked that way.

[B]

Charity. What is the biggest challenge you've had in this business?

[A]

FDA approval.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. Because you know, sometimes a product comes and the name, I also change the name and I'm like, I've marketed with this name. Going to change it will be a problem and sometimes to. It involves a whole lot of, you know, back and forth. So I think that is it when it comes to customers. Honestly I don't know. I'm, I don't suffer, thank God, I don't suffer to get customers. I know how to grab them and make them stay. I know how to make my customers feel at home. I'm, I mean very interactive and you know all that. But I think the biggest problem would be FDA approvals because I don't, I have a lot of products I would like to add but they can't be approved because they need, I think one product, they said it needs supervision before they can use it. So even pharmacies and those stuff are not allowed to sell it. Right? Yeah. Even though I have knowledge about it, I was right.

[B]

Now, some products in a pharmacy, there's categories. So you have an OTC medication where anybody can pick up and you have a pharmacy medication, which means the pharmacist provision.

[A]

And you have a prescription, prescription which

[B]

you need a doctor first.

[A]

So that one is more or less like prescription medication.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But I've had a lot of doctors also recommend me to people like. Yeah. And sometimes I'm surprised. I'm like they're supposed. Then I mean they know it works. That's why they will recommend people to come to me. Yeah. Oh, I went to this hospital and the doctor said I should come to you. Oh, I have this type of problem. And then the doctor said I should come to you. You can like really?

[B]

Are you able to ship some of your products outside of the country?

[A]

Yes. Oh, I've been selling outside us, Canada, uk, Germany, it goes on. And actually I travel to Nigeria too to expand my business there. Wow. Nigerians also are on my products and.

[B]

Yeah. What are people missing when it comes to starting their own businesses?

[A]

I think the basics people want to post today and then, you know, even though when I said that it was good, people want to start today and see success today, I wasn't ready to see success on my first year. All I had in mind is I want my products or my business to be in the minds of people and on the lips of people I've sold through recommendations like I can't thousands of times that it was recommendation that sold my products. You get it? So people want to start today and they want to blow. It's. That's because you're motivated by money, right. Not passion. I have passion for feminine hygiene because I feel like I. The ladies need to learn. And even on days I don't feel like showing up, I still show up because I'm never tired of talking about feminine hygiene, you know. So you need, it's the basics you need to make sure that it's something you love. You don't just start just like that.

[B]

So can you imagine when you moved to Accra after your service, you know, you were searching for jobs and you never got jobs. And it's been five, six, seven years and you're still looking for jobs. How would your life had been at the time?

[A]

I would have been miserable. Yeah. I hate discomfort. So I think that also makes me a go getter. I don't like to be uncomfortable in life, in anything I'm doing. I like to do things in my own pace. And you Know all that. So if five years and I had still not been able to make it to this point, I don't know, I. I don't imagine it because it would have been horrible. But I didn't even have it easy, you know, when I left my job, honestly, I was staying with my friends and we had it tough. When you say tough, we were bathing AC water. Wow. Because like we had, you see that water drops that come from the. The ac. We were so broke that we couldn't fill our tanks. And then luckily for where they were staying, I went to their house to stay with them. Where they were staying, they had illegal connection, you know, they had illegal connection. So the AC was. Will always be on from morning to evening. And then we put like a small barrel there so it will fill up. That's how we're able to get water. Too bad because we couldn't afford to fill our tongues and all that. It wasn't easy.

[B]

Has your life changed so much? Are you happy?

[A]

Very happy.

[B]

So if somebody has just finished university today and they are waiting for the government to create jobs for them, what will you tell them?

[A]

You don't have to wait. I think right now there are a lot of businesses you can start. But as I always say, make sure you know what you want to do, you have passion for it. If you don't have, if you are just motivated by money, you are in for a short term. The money is nice. But if you feel like I want to create a company, I don't want to have just a business. No, I want a brand, I want a company. And ever since I've known, I wanted a. Want to be a business owner. That is my goal. So I work towards that. If you are just motivated by money, you start today and then if you don't get sales tomorrow, you are done. And that's how people move from one business to another because they don't put. You know, I said I had about 500, you know, other. I've sold 500 products in a span of three weeks or so. And it went on like that. But from the third month going, I wasn't getting orders.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But I didn't say okay because the orders are not coming. I'm going to stop. I sat down and I was like, how am I going to do this better? And that is when I started reaching out to other influencers instead of I was using one person. So I was like, let me put money into this. I want to make it stand. At that time I didn't even have A business name. I. When people come in, they ask of my business name. I didn't know because I didn't have one. So I sat down and I thought about it and I was like, I don't care if one of my friends always. I'm bored when it comes to decisions. I was like, if I was to put all my money, me that I've made into this business, I'm going to make it. So I, you know, Dossy the influencer does. Yeah, yeah. So she brought the light into my business. I went to her and then at that time she was charging. I think her demonstrative advice was like 2500. And then I paid her for 2500. And then in a span of 24 hours, I've sold about 25, 000 cities. I took that same money I made and I gave it to her. And I was like, I want us to do one month. Month. I paid her for the one month. It went well. Another month again I paid her again. I, I didn't want to give up. I wanted, I want. It's like this is a brand. I want it to be international one day. I wanted to make waves. Not just a business that wakes up and sells. No. So I. It's like the vision is, you know, there.

[B]

The vision is big. But if you look back when you, you know, you were starting life and I'm talking the times when you felt bullied, not being heard, not being listened to, nobody actually setting you down to understand your problems.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And now what you're doing now, are you fulfilling those gaps that were missing when you were growing up?

[A]

Yes, I think I am to some extent, yes. I mean, I feel so happy when people come to me and, you know, they've seen results from what I'm selling. Yesterday, I think, was it yesterday before yesterday? I was just. There's so many reviews were coming in. I was like, wow, it makes me so happy. It's like I'm fulfilling a purpose because when I started I wanted freedom for women because, I mean, I saw feminine hygiene products, so many people don't know feminine hygiene. We are African homes. We are not taught. Our parents don't even know. So if I have the knowledge and I'm passing on to other people and they are learning and they are seeing results. I'm happy you're happy. So, yes, I'm fulfilling. I feel like I'm fulfilling a purpose and it makes me so happy.

[B]

How does your father feel about you?

[A]

So proud. Even my mother, I've forgiven her. She's so proud. Yeah, they're all so proud. You know, sometimes they didn't think, I'll get to this point. My siblings, you know, they, they feel like I've, I've, I've made it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Or I'm making it. Yes.

[B]

Sometimes when we are growing up as kids, do you think our parents or people around us set a target for us? Like this is, this is the bar we can reach.

[A]

You know, the reason why my mom didn't want me to come to Accra was because she wanted me to work and I mean in a government institution. Because she felt like if you become, if you go and work in shops and those things should be loved at, like they will laugh at her. So she wanted me to wear the suit and go to work, wear the, you know, nine to five stuff. And that wasn't me, I didn't want that. So yes, you know, she was against it because she wanted to do the nine to five stuff and I.

[B]

You are still wearing a suit. I think this is some things that sometimes our parents don't understand. I get, young people come to me and they're like, Mr. Derek, I want to, I really want to do this, but my parents don't get me. They, they. Today I made a conclusion that parents, some parents don't really take the time to understand their kids. They don't actually know their kids. Yeah, they may be living with you in the same house, but they don't, they have not taken the time to really understand you.

[A]

I think you should.

[B]

Locally we say something, Right. So every parent think their child is bad.

[A]

Right. But I think they need to take their time and then allow your kids to choose their path and then direct them.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Mold them on the way. If you say you want a child to be a doctor and she doesn't, or he doesn't want to be a doctor, ask her, ask him, what do you want to do? You might not have knowledge on it, but showing your child just love being there for her or him, listening to them would just mold them into the right path. Unless a child who don't want to, you know, do the right thing. But if someone wants to do the right thing and then they get a love from parents, a little bit of attention, I think they will be, be. They will do well. Yeah.

[B]

What I've really got it from this conversation is when it came to your business was you need to start even when you are messy, when you don't

[A]

know what you're doing, you don't, you don't, you don't have to get it perfect. I think that's why a lot of people haven't started because they want everything to be perfect before they start. Their packaging should be. Well, listen, when I went to China, that was when I did my first no, not my face. I was doing my paging in Ghana, but I wasn't getting it. I as I wanted. I wanted something that when people see like it entires their eyes, when it goes to people's homes, they don't show it away. So I wasn't getting it down here. So when I went to China, that was the first night focused on packaging. My packaging bag. You don't need to get it all at once. Me, I like to go through the process. I'm not in a rush. I'm not on anyone's timeline. I'm on my own timeline. If I don't have a physical shop and I'm not rushing to get one, I need to push my presence online. If it goes well, then yes, I can get the shop when I'm ready. I don't need to push like, I want the shop. I want the shop. I want the shop. No, I work with my own timeline, not what someone is doing. Okay. Someone is getting one of the biggest shops. I don't care. Their path is different from mine. What I want my business to do is to do well and it can do well without a shop. If I show up for it, if I'm consistent, you know, if I push, my business out, there might not. I mean, I'm able to sell. I think the largest sale I've ever made was like 2, 000 orders in a span of three days that was doing sales.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

And then it's online. Just make sure people trust you. Yes. So how do people trust? You need to show up more. Show up in your most authentic self. You don't have to be someone else. You know how it's not always premium proper. You need to show up as you are. I connected my customers so much that if someone comes to call me a scammer, they'll fight for me. They are the army, you know. So you need to build your online presence well that people, when people see your page, they don't have any doubts, you know that. Yes, they can bring their money to you.

[B]

Charity. You have been an amazing guest for me today. When our team reached out to you,

[A]

you were like, oh, I'm shy. Yeah, I'm shy. I'm scared.

[B]

You have done fantastic in this conversation and I hope my audience feel the same. Yeah, this is an episode that should really sit well with a lot of young ladies who are looking for a way out and for people who. Small business owners as well. I just love everything you've shared. You know, it's, it's been, as I say, very therapeutic for me as well.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If some of the things you have said has, has been nostalgic for me, is there anything we can speak about that we haven't?

[A]

Okay, so I think one thing I would like to speak about here when you're starting a business is pricing. That's because I've had a lot of people come to me who are scared to price.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And because of that they make their product so cheap because a certain number of people are okay with that and they are so scared. You know, you, you don't price for approval, you price for sustain, sustainability. Your business needs funds, not just profits, it needs funds to do. When I went to China to do my packaging bags, they said I couldn't do less than thousand for a particular size and I needed five sizes. It means I have to buy 5000 pieces or maybe 10000 pieces. Imagine I was, you know, pricing so low I'm not making good money. And then I go, how do you push your business the next level if you're not pricing well? Well, don't be scared to price. Not everyone is your customer. Know the people you are trying to attract and then push your business to them. If someone comes to you and says, oh, your prices are too expensive, you say thank you. Go to where it's cheap. Don't be scared. Don't be scared to tell people off. Because there are some people, no matter the price you put, it's expensive for them. But if you're able to stand on business, I mean, you don't have to be too expensive. But also make sure that whatever profits you are making or money you are making, there is a room to improve your business. You don't want your business to be stagnant. And I'm saying this, and I'm saying this because some time ago when I was in China, I was introducing a new product and then one lady came to me and was like, oh, I saw similar products. I was like, oh really? It was like, yeah, but it's not going well and all that. So I was like, how is she marketing it? I didn't care whether I'm bringing the same product. I wanted to know what she was doing and how much was she buying it in Ghana and she said she was getting it for 50 gana. Cities and she was selling it for 70 cities. I asked there, when they buy, do you package it? Do you put it in a packaging bag? She said yes. Let's say when you're going to buy it or when they are bringing it to, do you pay delivery fee? You know they have to bring it to you or you have to go for it it no matter what money is involved. And she said yes. I was like that. 20 cities and if it's not something a lot of people are buying, how are you able to make money from it? Oh, when she started selling it for hundred cities, people were scared and people didn't want to buy from her. I was like, that's because you're trying to make everyone your customer. You're not be selective when it comes to customer base. And then people will adapt. When someone realize your products are good and then the price is slightly high or I mean something above their budget, if they need it, they'll go and come back. You don't have to make everyone your customer. So because of that you become so cheap that your business, you've been business, you've been in business for five years. I have been in it for three years. And if mine is doing better than you, that should tell you something cool.

[B]

Okay?

[A]

And that same product, because I knew how to market it, I've sold, I think it came in June or July last year. Now I've sold about 500 pieces or 600 pieces. That's because I'm able to push it, make it fun, let people know that, okay, you need this, I need it, you need it. But if you are just there pity pitting yourself like, you know, that's something about small business owners. We like to pity ourselves like, oh, today no one has bought. And you will never see me do that. If no one is buying, make people believe that they are buying. People don't want to buy from struggling businesses. If your business doesn't attract people, people don't want to buy from you. That's why there are some people selling in thousands, but they still get others, that's what. Because people don't want to know why are people on her business? Why are people buying from her? But if you're a small business owner and you sit down and then no one is buying from you. So you two, you want the world to know that no one is buying from you? Then yes, I wouldn't come and buy. Hey, why is no one buying from you? I want to know. You know so. But if people are buying, people are so Curious to know, why are people buying from her? And they push towards you, but you are, you know, you are not motivated and you are not pushing it. Honestly, you send people away. So know how to price well. Think about the future of your business. Unless you're looking for money, then you can leave it at any profit that you get or any margin that you get. But if you're thinking about sustainability, price it to your full chest. Don't be scared. Awesome.

[B]

Thank you. That was a business pricing one. One I appreciate and I hope my audience do too.

[A]

In.

[B]

In what you are doing in business, what has helped you the most? Motivational? Discipline.

[A]

Discipline and also motivation, I think. Yeah, but discipline is more. Discipline really pushes me every single day. And I think I'm motivated mostly also by the smiles I put on people's faces. That one just. I mean, I don't get to talk to a lot of people in a day. So when I get to talk to my customers, when they bring their problems and, you know, I'm able to solve them, I feel motivated. I'm like, I need to keep going. So many people need me and I need to keep pushing myself out there. They need to hear about, you know, sometimes I don't even sell. Most of the times I just give tips. I just teach them. And then people will come like, I want this, I want that. You know, and I saw my products. Awesome. Yeah.

[B]

What's the best advice you've ever received?

[A]

Yeah, that's the pricing stuff. Don't price for approval, price for sustainability.

[B]

Amazing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'm going to ask you to recommend a book. What book would it be?

[A]

What's the title of this book? Really? I forgot. I think one of the best books I've read was Femio Todola's book.

[B]

Okay, all right. Okay.

[A]

It motivated me. And when I was talking, I've spoken about it to people, and people were like, he had a head start. If you read the book, it's like, he had it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But I don't take it from that point. If you're able to start from somewhere, you can continue from there. He had a head start, but if he didn't continue, if he was not consistent, if he didn't know what he was doing, he wouldn't have gotten to this point. So it's not about getting a head start. It's about knowing what you are doing. So I think it's one of the books that people should read with open minds. Not about the fact that he had money. He's coming from money. It doesn't matter.

[B]

Amazing. It doesn't matter. What matters is connected minds. So thank you so much for coming to the studio.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

You know, I can tell that it's beginning to rain.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But to my viewers and to my listeners, if you made it to the end, I definitely want to know in the comments. My name is Derek Abayte, and we have been speaking with Charity, watching. Take care of and drop a comment. Share this with loved ones.

[A]

I'm out.

[B]

Bye.