Kwaku Showboy was a guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared insights about his journey from Ghana to the United States.
Currently based in North Dakota, Kwaku has also visited South Carolina. He has lived in the U.S. for two and a half years and previously spent four months in China before relocating. Before moving abroad, he lived in Koforidua for over 15 years and didn’t wait for an opportunity—he created one for himself. He was already working and doing well in Ghana but still chose to move for business purposes.
Kwaku was the owner of Kwaku Shabby Boutique, which he started in 2007. Initially, he sold clothes at Kantamanto before opening a small shop, later expanding into a bigger space. He emphasized the importance of financial discipline before starting a business, advising that people should learn to save money instead of rushing to buy land or chase visas when they aren’t financially ready. He noted that some people struggle to travel but insisted that when the time is right, it will happen smoothly.
He traveled to China three times, India once, and Turkey once to purchase goods for his boutique. He debunked the myth that Ghanaian businesses inevitably collapse, stating that people often assume that once you start a shop for someone, it will fail. According to him, Chinese suppliers do not abandon Ghanaian traders; instead, they provide stock that allows business owners to thrive.
When Kwaku first arrived in America, a close friend accommodated him. Unlike others who struggle, he was fortunate to have someone who helped him settle in. Within a month, he secured his own place after receiving his necessary documentation (nkrataa). He also mentioned that he had enough savings before traveling, which made his transition easier.
His boutique business in Ghana is still running. However, he learned a tough lesson when he sent a friend to buy stock in Koforidua with GHC 5,000, only to receive complaints about the exact amount spent. This experience taught him that leaving a business in someone else’s hands for too long is not that risky. Now, he buys goods online and ships them directly to Ghana instead of depending on others.
In America, Kwaku leverages online platforms like Facebook Marketplace to sell products and finds various business opportunities beyond traditional employment. He bought his car from a roadside seller and doesn’t rely on public transport. He highlighted that while some people chase dollars excessively, he balances his time by working Monday to Thursday and using the remaining days to focus on his personal ventures. He also mentioned that people can use their cars for Uber to earn extra income.
Regarding deportation, Kwaku dismissed false claims that many of his associates had been deported. He emphasized that deportation usually happens due to criminal cases, not simply because someone traveled abroad.
Reflecting on the Ghanaian job market, he criticized the mentality of waiting for employment instead of creating opportunities. He argued that with GHC 10,000, one could start a business, but many get scammed by investing in things like phones instead. He pointed out that degree holders hesitate to work in places like Kantamanto, yet he built his business, bought a car, constructed a house, and traveled the world—all from his Ghana boutique earnings.
His final advice was directed at those paying agents between $10,000 and $50,000 to migrate to America, only to struggle upon arrival. He encouraged people to have a solid financial foundation before making such a move.
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