Entrepreneur | Managing Director | Startup Strategist
My name is Harriet Akua Asabea Adansi Corquaye, and I am a Ghanaian. I am the first child of two siblings and was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. I graduated from Ashesi University with a BSc in Business Administration and completed my National Service at the Economic Research and Forecasting Division of the Ministry of Finance.
Following this, I relocated to London, UK, where I obtained an MSc in International Business from Hult International Business School. I am a highly self-motivated individual who holds certification as a Ghana Revenue Authority Customs House Agent (GRA, CHA). I currently serve as the Managing Director of CN_Terminal Co. Ltd, Ghana, where I oversee clearing, import, export, and shipping. Additionally, I hold the position of Country Director of Best Deal Shipping Ltd, UK, and Ghana, where I manage door-to-door and shipping operations.
Furthermore, I serve as the Manager of Adaron Ventures, where I focus on transport and logistics, as well as the Manager of MISHA Enterprise, Ghana, where I oversee the import of general merchandise. I am the owner of Medibath, Puraya, Classic, and Olive cosmetic range in the West African Sub-Region. Additionally, I am the Manager of Crystal-Rok LTD Company, a beverage manufacturer, which produces MIVAC drinking water and icepack. I am also a Director at Glenfield Close, where I oversee the import of electrical and appliances.Apart from these business ventures, I am an event curator, planner, and coordinator with SZN Consult, Ghana. As a member of several NGOs, including the Ghana Girl Guide Association, I am committed to making a positive impact and spreading love. I am a philanthropist at heart, and I was recently honoured as the first-ever Youth Patron at the grand Centenary celebration of the Ghana Girl Guide Association. Overall, I am steadily building a reputation as an astute and agile family-business entrepreneur.
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced initially, and how did you overcome them?
Some of The hurdles I faced… A brief overview of my before now…
Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, I was exposed to the world of business from an early age. However, my parents did not encourage me to follow in their footsteps due to the unstable economy in Ghana. Instead, they hoped I would find a stable job in a more secure economy to secure a better future for myself.
However, my perspective changed when I attended Hult International Business School and met several young CEOs and Managing Directors of million-dollar businesses they had inherited. Inspired by their success, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a family entrepreneur in Ghana. When I shared my decision with my parents, they were hesitant. My mother advised me to find a good job and relocate outside Ghana, citing the lack of opportunities in the country. My father suggested that I pursue a doctorate degree before returning to Ghana. Undeterred, I persevered, and eventually, I was able to convince them of my vision.I returned to Ghana the day after my graduation, determined to take over my family's legacy and build my own successful ventures.
Upon my return to Ghana, I hit the ground running with a plethora of business ventures. I opened an office and hired employees to run my branding and event planning business. I also invested in several other ventures, including a software company and a Kente weaving business. At first, I felt fulfilled and confident that my life was on the right track, and I received recognition for my achievements. However, I soon realized that I had not mentally prepared myself for the various roles I was occupying as an entrepreneur. I struggled to manage everything on my plate and couldn't call in sick or take time off without jeopardizing my businesses. Additionally, my impatience and eagerness for quick results led me to pull out of ventures that didn't produce immediate returns.
This rush to see immediate results contributed to my struggles and ultimately led to a period of depression. I felt like I had lost sight of my value and prematurely let go of ventures that I thought were fulfilling my purpose. I learned the hard way that entrepreneurship in Ghana requires resilience and a deep understanding of the terrain. I had failed to take the time to study the industry, equip myself with the necessary tools, and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
What changed, how did I overcome the struggle?...
Thankfully, I've had a turnaround and I am now pleased with who I am and where I am today. I've learned that entrepreneurship, like everything else, is not all rosy. It requires a lot of planning and decision-making, with outcomes that could be either good or bad. In order to be successful as an entrepreneur, one must possess a lot of mental and emotional agility.
Unfortunately, I attached the results of my decisions or goals to my self-worth, leading me to believe that if I failed at something, then I was a failure. This mindset led me to a period of depression, but I had to realign my thought process and limiting beliefs, and invest in becoming more mentally and emotionally agile. To achieve this, I first identified my purpose and then explicitly wrote out and meditated on attainable goals with a clearly defined intent. The intent drove my goals, and this helped me to focus on my experience and lessons learned, rather than beating myself up or wallowing in self-pity, even when things didn't go according to plan. I also invested in myself by learning virtual business management and analysis skills to better micro-manage each venture, and I did some more reading. My favorite read, which I highly recommend, is "Emotional Agility" by Susan David.
What advice would you offer to young people who are just starting their careers or pursuing their passions, both locally and internationally?
This is what I’ll have to say, especially to you who has supposedly tried and failed…
Entrepreneurship is undoubtedly a risky endeavor, but it's also a path that can lead to great rewards. As Jim Rohn once said, "I'll tell you how risky life is. You're not going to get out alive. That's risky." The key is to be prepared to own the outcomes and make the most of them. You'll experience highs and lows, but how you choose to respond to them will determine your success. It's important to remember that challenges are an inevitable part of life, and it's how you deal with them that counts.
As you embark on your career journey, be prepared to face numerous challenges, perhaps even more than you expect. But with the right mindset, you can achieve more wins than losses. Take responsibility for your actions and responses, and don't dwell on setbacks. Instead, use them as a source of motivation to take action and move forward. Remember, it's okay to feel down, but don't stay there too long. Use your setbacks as a source of momentum to propel yourself towards your intended result.
HUNGER BUT DO NOT BE IN A HURRY FOR SUCCESS.
Hunger can be a powerful motivator to strive for success, but it's important not to confuse it with a sense of urgency or impatience. While hunger fuels the desire to achieve, rushing through the process can lead to mistakes, burnout, and ultimately giving up too soon. It's important to find a balance between the drive to succeed and the patience required to achieve long-term success. So, hunger for success, but don't let impatience and haste undermine your efforts.
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