GYLA GHANA STARTER STORY: September Entrepreneur of the Month
GYLA Ghana chapter has launched a program dubbed, 'GYLA Starter Story Series,' where its members will be sharing their personal impact stories with the GYLA community. To start us off, this month Anastasia Kulah, who is also a former GYLA Ghana National Coordinator shared with us through interview questions, her experience as a young entrepreneur.
In this Interview, you'll get to know:
1. What motivated her to become an entrepreneur
2. How she came up with her business idea
3. How she developed her first product (MVP)
4. Her marketing strategy
5. The platforms/tools she's using for her business
Please find her insights below...
Q1: Tell us a bit about yourself (Your childhood, family and education)
I am Anastasia Kulah from a family of seven. I attended St. Francis Girls SHS from where I proceeded to the University of Education, Winneba to pursue BSc in Mathematics Education. I am currently teaching at Han SHS, Upper West. Growing up in the village life was not easy for us so I left to stay with my sister and her husband in town. While I was with them, I was selling water, eggs, groundnut and a whole lot just to support myself.
So after SHS when I went to the university I didn't stop, I started with a credit card, moved to pop-corn selling and later to selling sandals, and farming and finally landed on soap making.
So the idea of being an entrepreneur started many years back. When I applied to the university, I was then thinking about where to get money to pay my fees and to buy what I needed to be in school. But I knew of CAMFED back in high school that they were supporting needy young girls to go to school. Through Camfed, I applied for the MasterCard Foundation scholarship and God being so good I was picked. So Mastercard paid my full fees and provided me with all I needed to make my life comfortable while studying.
Q2: What business did you start?
Production and sale of soap and detergent
Picture: product images
Q3: How did you come up with your business idea?
This business idea came when covid-19 started. I was not going to work anymore and I didn't want to stay at home waiting, so I thought of it at that time what was selling and buying and that was how I started the business.
Q4: Take us through the process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing your MVP.
1. Try something and test it yourself.
2. Try again and let people look at it or try.
3. Get feedback and make improvements till you are ok with the product.
Q5: What has helped you to attract and retain customers since you launched your business?
1. Follow-up
2. Quality product
3. Good customer relationship
Q6: How is your business doing today and where do you see your business in the next five years?
I must say my business is doing quite well though it's still growing. In the next five years, we wish to be working with machines (Start a factory) and employ a lot of people.
Q7: What platform/tools do you use for your business?
Whatsapp
Facebook
Face to face
Q8: What lessons have you learned along your entrepreneurial journey that you have found to be particularly helpful or advantageous?
I have learnt that no matter how your product is common in the market do not stop. Just make sure yours is unique and special, you Will still attract customers.
Q9: Who is your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Docas Barbet Kofi.
I love her energy, and the skills she put into her business. When I feel like giving up, I look at her and continue.
Q10: What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
I would say it is not an easy journey to be an entrepreneur but keep pushing 🙏
Story shared by Anastasia Kulah - AiduTalent, Ghana