CEO | Entrepreneur | Humanitarian
As a business owner, from my perspective restaurants are exceedingly complex, and you must learn how to deal with things that would play out differently, example: employee work ethics, fraud, managing hours, hard labor, and workplace accidents etc.
My name is Elsie Muna Salifu. I am a Ghanaian, CEO, Humanitarian and a Female Entrepreneur. I am the Founder of The Ballers Balling Bistro, Dawadawa Restaurant and Soepresa (events planning hub). I was born and raised in Tamale, Ghana. I had my basic, junior high, senior high school education all in Ghana. Not only did I participate in different events in my community growing up. My free spirit and compassionate heart made me very likeable. My hardworking spirit is an extension of all my start-ups; I built all my businesses from scratch – by the support of my elder sister who is also an entrepreneur, my mother who is an educationist, friends like Ewurabena Braye and love from everyone who appreciated or still appreciates my journey. I know just how much work it is running your own business. Some people complain about 9–5 jobs, but with a restaurant and other small businesses you might start at 5am and finish at 3am. Much of restaurant work is lonely, as when you’re the last one cleaning and locking up in the wee hours. Most people have their life savings on the line and want nothing more than happy customers. Unfortunately, most new restaurants fail within the first year or two. But I am grateful and blessed to say – mine has been sustainable.
You can find my content on Instagram or Facebook. Do reach out via my social media handles below. I am open to collaborations – like birthday celebrations and surprise planning etc.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
One of the hurdles I faced in the beginning when I first started as a business owner, was finding balance with restaurant management and events management. I remembered, when we first started we were both young and they all needed good management in order to grow. Most of our clients: Sorpresa, Ghana reside abroad; Therefore, I saw to it that during the day I was at the restaurant so I could put in extra hours at night for Sorpresa Ghana.
My family plays a massive role in all aspects of the restaurant business. In light of team building and incorporating strong bonding between us all or bonding mechanism, we often dine together as a family at times at work before or after work ever since we opened the Restaurant (Dawadawa). It's an ongoing tradition - Monday to Sunday. From a leadership standpoint that is a great way to connect with individuals supporting your dream. I am so grateful for my support system – my sister Samira Salifu and my dear mother Comfort Madah. I can't go without mentioning their commitment and buying into the vision from concept to actionable results. Owning a restaurant or small business comes with its daily troubles. A couple of these are pleasing several mafias including food critics, city inspectors, permitters, your staff, tourist and neighbourhood groups. A few things that are unpleasant are: customers being picky and irrational about their food, they feel entitled to demand unreasonable things, and criticize everything. Some days are good, and some days are unpleasant. But I always have a soft spot for running my business.
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
My advice to the youth is be compassionate, give back if you can and live life. Surround yourself with people who inspire, and you don’t have to be a top chef to make money as a foodie.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: @sorpresa_ghana @godess_muu @_bolin_boxgh
@dawadawarestaurantandbar
Facebook: Sorpresagh | The Ballers Balling Bistro
Dawadawa Bar & Restaurant
Location:
(Accra – Cape Coast Highway, Opposite Galaxy Oil Fuel Service Station)
Winneba – Central Region, Ghana