Starting a business anywhere in the world is tough. But in Ghana? Oh boy, you need guts, grit, and some serious determination. It’s not for the faint of heart. But the good news? It’s absolutely worth it.
In this post, I’m going to break down how I started my business step-by-step. Think of this as me spilling the tea on my entrepreneurial journey while giving you some tips to help you start yours. I’ll keep it simple, practical, and straight to the point (with a few fun stories to keep it interesting).
A Quick Backstory
I’ve always had this entrepreneurial spirit. Back in primary school, I found a way to make money by selling bits of my lunch to classmates. Crazy, right? (Don’t judge me—those were the glory days of meat pies and sobolo!)
Then came senior high school. I started another business that actually took off, but it crashed and burned because of what I now call “rookie mistakes.” Looking back, I was just too naïve. But those failures taught me a lot, and every experience added to my entrepreneurial toolbox.
Here’s the truth about entrepreneurship: it’s like walking on a tightrope. One minute, you feel like you’re this close to hitting the jackpot, and the next, you’re flat broke. But that’s the game, and if you stick with it, the rewards are amazing.
Starting a Business: The Real Deal
So, how do you actually start a business in Ghana? There are a few key things you need to figure out. Let’s break it down:
1. What kind of business do you want to start?
This is where the magic begins. You need to decide what you want to do. But don’t just jump into anything; take your time to think about it.
For me, this took three full days of brainstorming with my business partner. We came up with all sorts of ideas—opening a barbershop, running a restaurant, starting a nightclub, and even making YouTube videos. We eventually settled on marketing because:
- It’s something we were both good at.
- We could do it anywhere.
- It didn’t require a ton of upfront costs.
The lesson here? Choose something that works for you and makes sense for where you are in life. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel; you just need to pick something you can actually do and stick with it.
2. How are you going to pay for it?
Let’s be real: starting a business isn’t free. Even the smallest business comes with costs, whether it’s for tools, training, or just transportation.
When we decided on marketing, we realized we needed some basic tools to get started. We also had to learn new skills and build a network. Since we didn’t have money to hire employees, we partnered with other small businesses that had similar goals.
Pro Tip: If you’re short on funds, look for partnerships or collaborations. You don’t have to do everything alone.
3. Who are your customers?
This is the big question: Who are you selling to? Are they everyday people? Businesses? Both?
For us, finding our first customer was a mix of luck and persistence. CVHolder Ghana Ltd was launching and needed help with marketing, so we pitched our services and got the job. That first contract gave us the cash and confidence to move forward.
But here’s the thing: landing customers isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you’ll pitch to 10 people, and only 1 will say yes. Don’t let that discourage you. The more you try, the better you’ll get at finding and keeping customers.
Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way
Now that you know the basics, here are a few lessons I’ve picked up on this journey:
- Be flexible. Your first idea might not work, and that’s okay. Be willing to adapt and try new things.
- Start small. You don’t need millions to start a business. Start with what you have and grow from there.
- Don’t fear failure. Every entrepreneur has a story of failure. It’s part of the process, so learn from it and keep going.
- Build relationships. Partnerships and collaborations can save you time, money, and stress.
Bonus Tip: READ
Be curious. Open your mind to possibilities. Whatever you want to do, chances are someone has already done it. Find out how they did it and follow their example. It’s called a blueprint for a reason.
The best way to shape your thoughts and ideas is through reading. Books, blogs, articles—whatever you can get your hands on, read it. The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to face the challenges ahead.
What’s Next?
Starting a business is different for everyone. My journey was filled with ups and downs, and yours will be too. The key is to stay focused, stay consistent, and don’t give up.
In my next post, I’ll share some of the easiest and most affordable businesses to start in Ghana—businesses that are scalable and cost almost nothing to get off the ground. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
Until then, remember: It’s not about how fast you start; it’s about how far you’re willing to go.
Great insight