On Fashion, Trailblazing & Bus Rides

Let me take you on a little journey:?the story of how I took my first step into world of fashion business. Over the years, I've had more than enough people stare at me in confusion when they hear me say "fashion business"?so I guess this is my cue to share my origin story.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted a career in fashion. Like the waakye-for-breakfast eating Ghanaian I am, I grew up thinking that meant I would be a designer/dressmaker. However, 4 or 5 sewing lessons later and I knew that wasn’t for me. These fingers of mine had sworn they would never stitch in a straight line and my back had decided to ache each time I sat down behind a machine. No one had to tell me to give up on that dream. So if not dressmaking then what?

Fast forward to 2016, I decided to pursue an MBA in Drexel University, Philadelphia after studying finance in Ghana.?In this same year, I started a blog called Style Summit Africa. This led me to constantly research?into the brands and people that were taking African fashion to new heights.

During this period, while researching content for the blog, I started listening to a podcast called Fashion lab Africa.?When I found out that one of the co-hosts, Eji Benson, was Nigerian and lived in New York (about 2 hours away from Philly) I decided to shoot my shot and ask him for an informational interview.

I basically just wanted to:

1. Understand how the business of fashion operates on an international level
2. Understand his experience as an African in an industry that mostly reveres talent from Europe or America
3. Understand his take on the industry considering that he was not only a technical designer, but the owner of a factory as well. He was deep in the mass production game.

He was kind (or crazy) enough to take a chance with my inexperienced self?and what started out as an interview turned into a job with him.?And so, pictured here is a younger version of me in New York,?unaware that my boss?was capturing this moment just before our meeting with Bibhu Mohapatra.

Now, mind you, this was my very first official job in fashion. I went in picturing myself as an "Emily in Paris" of sorts, doing all the fancy things I saw and read about.

And yes, while there were a few "cool" experiences during my time there, it was A LOT of work and a lot more strategy and administrative work than I imagined. But I LOVED it all. It made me feel I was putting my MBA to good use.

It also?took a whole lot of commitment.

Because let's not forget about the fact that my job was in New York while I lived in Philadelphia. As an intern and a student, I was too broke to take the train (which was much faster) so I had to take the bus two times a week to and from New York. I mean we're talking early mornings, packed buses, and very long walks to the studio in Long Island City.

But was all worth it.

Every groggy-eyed bus ride, every dash through crowded streets, every moment of "is this really happening?" - it all added up to something big. It formed the basis of my career today.

I soaked up knowledge like a sponge. I learned the nuts and bolts of the fashion industry, from sketch to runway to shop floor. And as the days turned into weeks,?the weeks into months, and eventually the months into years, something magical happened. I wasn't just a spectator anymore. I was a player in the game, making moves, sharing my knowledge, and making a difference.

Since that first job, I've played many roles in the industry, made many mistakes in the industry, but also chalked many?successes along the way. Those are all several stories?for another day. In a nutshell, that is how this kid from Ghana went from planning a life as a designer, to pursuing?a thrilling adventure in the fashion business consultancy world.

From Accra to Philly to the bright lights of New York City,

From MBA to fashion's backstage pass,

From sewing to writing business proposals for my fashion clients,

I crafted my own path, one bus ride at a time.?I love?showing?the world that fashion isn't just about threads and fabrics – it's about storytelling, systems, trade, and weaving dreams into reality. And that?is a journey worth taking.

That said, as part of my partnership with SULIT CONSULT , we are hosting a one-day crash course in Accra for brands in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle space. If you are a brand in any of these industries, the?course will give you?the right foundations to set you up for longevity. Each topic in this course was curated to fill a gap; the gap that exists between African beauty, fashion & lifestyle brands and the end goal most of them dream of achieving: becoming a unique brand with a loyal client base. During the course we will be discussing:

• YOUR VISION (the ultimate goal which will give you strategic direction)
• YOUR MISSION (the actionable step you will take to achieve your vision)
• YOUR VALUES (the things you believe in that form your foundation)
• YOUR USP (Your secret sauce, the thing which sets you apart!)

If you would like to know more, to help you decide if this crash course is for you, click this link to join our waitlist. You will receive detailed information on the course, with the option for flexible payment plans.

Registration ends on 5th November so join the waitlist now to receive all the details.

The year is almost over but it's not too late to work on achieving your dreams for your fashion brand. Even if your ideas are out of the ordinary take a chance on them. Start blazing your own trail today! You've got this!

Love,