My name is Richard Kweku Asante popularly known as Kalybos, a Ghanaian comedian, entrepreneur and the CEO of BOS production Ghana. I was born in the Garden City, Kumasi. I am a graduate of NAFTI with a Degree in Cinematography and won the Best Cinematography Award that same year at NAFTI in 2016. In 2017, I co - starred in the Boys Kasa series with Patricia Opoku Agyemang, and received a Black British Entertainment Award in London. I have always been passionate and fascinated about the creative arts industry and cinematography. Before my acting career took off, in 2010 I joined Shirley Frimpong Manso’s Sparrow Production as an assistant camera operator with my role model, Mr. John Passah who was then in-charge of photographer. Moving forward, my name and brand became a household name and made it way into the film industry with my major breakthrough screenings - `KALYBOS IN CHINA’ (2015) which broke all major record of premiers ever held in Ghana and made an historical mark of the most attended movie premier in Ghana. And consecutively year - with other movies like Amakye & Dede (2016), John and John (2017), Asylum is Down (2018) etc. I can humbly say, few companies are beginning to tap into the brand name KALYBOS with various endorsement deals. With the support I have from my family and friends, I was able to establish BOS Production Ghana - an advertising and movie production company. We have produced and directed several production projects in the entertainment industry. And with my vast interest in innovation, creativity and startups in the aspect of technology. I can proudly say, with collaboration effort from fellow industrial partners. I am part of and co - investor (share owner) in a major digital marketing company called GEDDIT GHANA and also a Ghanaian owned based Transportation Company called DROPYN.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
I must admit that, though comedy has brought me this far in the industry. I am more dynamic and flexible enough to act any role assigned to me. This evidence shows in some my movies like “a new flame” which stars singer, Adina.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started?
Stay relevant and gain longevity in your market by strategically networking and surrounding yourself with influential in the industry.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it?
I come from a nuclear family, therefore I have very few circle of friends who are all part of my entrepreneurial empire. So with my family and friends, they all understood my pursuit. They know how obsessed I am with creative art and technology. Their encouragement and support have been tremendous helpful - because they encouraged me to set myself up strategically for success.
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
Well it’s simple, any start up idea or business is never achieved without planning and with the hope that it will manifest by itself. If starting up or executing your ideas becomes easy, know that there will still be challenges. You won't have a smooth ride throughout the process!! Nothing is guaranteed.
However, with your constant perseverance of trying and failing, that will acquire you experience and more clear vision of what you want to achieve.
In my opinion, experience is what you GAIN when you don’t get what you want!!! So never STOP trying, because that would make you the master of YOUR craft!
