Faustina Korley, a Ghanaian-born woman now based in the United States, recently shared her inspiring life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. Currently residing in Birmingham, Alabama, she reflected on her experiences as an immigrant, her struggles, and her triumphs over the years.
Faustina was born in Kumasi, Ghana, but due to her father’s military career, her family moved frequently. They lived in places like Sunyani, the Volta Region, and finally Ashaiman, where her father retired in 1993. Originally from Ada Foah, her father spent his last years working on a project in Tema before the family moved to Ada. Sadly, he passed away the day after their move.
Despite facing challenges, Faustina was a bright student. She gained admission to La Secondary School, where she ranked among the top students in her year. Later, she attended Accra Girls Secondary School for five years. Though she struggled with some subjects, she persevered and eventually passed her exams.
Initially, Faustina aspired to work in a bank, but her passion for sewing took over when she made her first dress at age 15. This led her to pursue an apprenticeship in Accra, abandoning her banking dream.
At the age of 17, Faustina met her future husband, who was 12 years older than her. At the time, he was studying in Nigeria before later moving to the United States. Despite the distance and temptations, Faustina remained committed to their relationship, waiting 10 years before he was able to bring her to America in 1991.
Reflecting on her experience, she strongly advises against waiting more than 10 years for a partner abroad. She believes that waiting for such an extended period is emotionally and mentally draining, recommending a maximum of 2-3 years instead.
After arriving in the U.S., she gave birth to her first child in 1992, followed by another in 1993. Determined to contribute financially, she started working at a daycare while raising her children. After five years, she had another child and decided to stay home, selling items to support the family.
Faustina’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to the sewing and alteration business. With encouragement from a Nigerian friend, she started purchasing fabrics and making clothes. Later, she worked in a Pakistani-run alteration shop before moving to another company, where she stayed for 12 years.
In 2002, she opened her own shop but had to close it after 18 months due to family pressure. She returned to working for an alteration company, though she had all the necessary machines to start her own business. Lacking confidence at the time, she continued working for others until she finally took the leap again in 2022, launching K&K Alterations, which gained customers mainly through Google Maps and word of mouth.
Faustina notes that 97% of her clients are white, and they rarely negotiate prices. However, the remaining 3%—mostly black customers—often complain about her rates. Despite the seasonal nature of the business, she insists that skilled jobs like alterations are highly profitable.
In 2012, Faustina’s marriage ended in divorce, and she moved out. Her ex-husband later fell ill and passed away in 2020 due to complications from not seeking medical care. By then, her three older children were in college, while her youngest had just started in 2022.
For years, Faustina never returned to Ghana due to her marriage and family responsibilities. Her mother and grandmother often mentioned her absence. However, after her divorce, she visited Ghana for the first time in 2016, bringing two of her children. She returned again in 2020, 2023, and most recently in 2024 when her mother passed away.
Having become a U.S. citizen in 2020, she wishes she had the opportunity to bring more of her family members abroad.
At 63, Faustina still hopes to remarry, despite the pain of her failed marriage. She believes single life can be lonely, and many people struggle to find what they truly want. However, she remains focused on her work, paying her bills, and expanding her business.
Faustina’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and determination. From a young girl with dreams of working in a bank to a skilled entrepreneur building her own business in the U.S., she proves that persistence and adaptability can lead to success, no matter the challenges faced along the way.
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