Holding an Executive Masters of Business Administration, MBA, in the University of Texas, United States, he decided to come back home to start up a money-spinning enterprise.
Facing a lot of hurdles as he made an effort to start up his business, Barima Osei Mensah, decided to start up a pastry business which has today become the biggest meat pie retail business in Ghana. Clad in green and white, hundreds of young men and women are found on the streets of Kumasi and Accra selling his merchandise.
The 44-year-old Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Adinkra foods, reveals to the Weekend Sun how he was forced to sell off most of his properties, just to raise capital for his business.
Who is the director of Adinkra pies?
I am just a humble young man who is trying to make a difference for myself and others. My goal is to employ as many people as I can so that they can also make ends meet.
What is your story?
I left Ghana at the age of 19 to the US. For the first few years,I worked in a restaurant, kitchen, as dishwasher, car sales, jewelry sales, furniture and later Bank of America. But whiles I was doing that I was not in school. 8 years into my stay in the US I decided to enroll into Temple University for my undergraduate degree in Marketing while I was working at the same time. After the undergraduate degree, in 2008 I decided to do my MBA at the University of Texas. After the MBA I made a decision to come back to Ghana and start my own business. The initial plan was to start the idea of class ring-graduation ring- which is dominant in the US in Ghana. I visited a lot of alumni organizations but it did not take off. I make a lot of effort but because it’s not our culture it was difficult for people to buy into the idea. I then made a decision to try something else which was a restaurant in 2011 at Kumasi but it was not doing so well so I decided to start a pastries outlet in front of it with the hope that it would be able to attract people to the restaurant. When we started with the pastries I used to go to the market to sell myself with some boys. During that stage people were laughing at me, some family members did not support the idea because I was going to the market to sell. It really didn’t bother me because I knew what I was aiming at. I was focused.
Was your family in support of your idea to be a meat pie seller?
Fortunately both parents are dead but my siblings are out of the country. However some members of the family felt it was beneath me, they felt I needed to work in the bank or something better because I had a MBA.
Why did you choose to move to Ghana?
I’ve always planned to move back at some point because I believed this is where I could use what I had learned to make my country better. I believe that education does not have to restrict you.
How easy is was it to start up the business?
I was faced with a lot of obstacles. I sold my property; my lands about three, I even sold my flat screen television to raise capital. I also went to the bank to borrow. Raising the funds to start was the major challenge.
You have quite an amazing business concept. How did you make it work?
I prayed. I prayed for the breakthrough and Gods intervention. I give all the glory to God. I also applied my marketing skills because branding is key. That is why you see my vendors dressed in a particular manner to help the identification. I also prioritized feedback so that people could give me their comments.
How easy would you say it is to be an entrepreneur in Ghana?
It’s highly imperative that every individual knows their quadrant. Once they identify it, they need to pray and work on it. There is a need for leadership skills too as an entrepreneur. I realized that I was called to lead, that is why I chose the path of entrepreneurship. It takes leadership to run a successful business. For it to be easier everybody needs to start small because it’s a gradual process. In my case I started with an oven which could only bake 40 pieces of pie at a time but now I have 30 ovens of which one can bake about a 1000 pies at a time. Also how you increase your business is solely dependent on your customers. It’s important to be humble and start small and grow gradually. It could mean selling on the roadside, just do it to help you raise the necessary funds to grow your business. You have to deny yourself a lot of pleasures to succeed.
What are the highlights of your life as an entrepreneur?
I would say the ability to have a workforce of over 800 people. My business has also made a tremendous impact in society. My company has helped a lot of people to transform their lives. I think overall it would be employing people.
How do you manage to lead this huge number of people?
We should always understand that we are not the same, but one thing we need to do is program our hearts to truly love people for who they are. I am naturally nice and that’s something I say with all humility. I relate with all workers as humans. You should have a passive attitude and be nice to people.
As a leader what is the worse human related situation you’ve handled?
At a point I went to an event to sell with a number of my vendors but they seized all our goods. We lost a lot of money and I was really hurt. As for the people, I understand the people. I am always in the middle of fights trying to broker peace. I know the Ghanaian style.
What is the philosophy you live by?
Humility. The bible clearly states it in proverbs chapter 22 verse 4 that the fear of God and humility would grant you riches and life. The prerequisite of success is humility. Without humility you would fail.
There are a number of people that are trying to do the same thing you do?
It makes me feel special, great and thankful to god. I prayed for this concept it was a gift to me. What they don’t know is that when they come for my casual workers which are God’s gift they are touching God’s gift and that is why they don’t survive. They steal my casual workers but they always run back so we keep growing. The foundation is from God so it would be very difficult for them to compete. When we started in Kumasi it was the same thing but they all failed but we are still growing and solid. So I don’t worry about competition we are maintaining our monopolistic position. My advice is that if you want to be like me don’t do exactly what I do, look for your area of interest, be a beginner and not a follower.
Do you think Ghana is conducive for entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is different for everyone. Like Kevin Hart said “entrepreneurship is spending the best of your life doing what others wont in other to spend the rest of your life enjoying what most people can’t”. So everyone needs to know their path. Passion is key to success. Once you are passionate you would be fine. Because with the passion you can get up even when you fall. Start small and slowly you would get to your goal. It worked for me so I believe it would work for anyone.
Do you think entrepreneurship is key to dealing with the unemployment menace in Ghana?
Entrepreneurship is relative. It’s different for each one. Being an entrepreneur is a calling for leadership so you have to check how you relate to people. Whether you are a people’s person and all that. If it’s a one man business that is not entrepreneurship but self-employment like a hairdresser but for a large scale business you need to be a leader. You cannot give someone your business to run. Ghanaians have a problem; because it’s not their business they don’t give their all.
What is your greatest fear greatest fear?
I pray that I don’t exalt myself. I want to be humble. I pray that when I eventually make it big I don’t walk on people.
How big is the pie business?
We are working on expansion to Takoradi. We currently operate in Accra, Swedru, Winneba and some municipal areas in Kumasi.
Are you married?
I’m single but I have a daughter. My first relationship didn’t turn out well. I’m taking my time now.
How do you manage to be efficient despite the female pressures?
Work is work. After work I can chill. I always put my work first. But the problem is I hardly have the time to even go out and socialize.
How do you de-stress?
I go out to cool places to listen to music. I don’t drink alcohol so I eat or drink a juice.
What do young people who look up to you need to know?
The advice is that young men and women don’t necessary need to work in the bank or insurance company to break through in life. Ask yourself which quadrant you fall under and focus on it. If you think you are a leader start a business. Whatever you need to sell to start a business do that. Don’t go from bank to bank with your CV. Start somewhere while you search for that job because you might not even need the job in the end. Remember to classify the negative things people say as noise.
<<Print>>