From Taxi Driver to CEO: Eric Shares His American Hustle and Success Story on SVTV Africa
Eric, popularly known as Papa Agora, is the CEO of Amalina’s Kitchen located in the Bronx, New York. In a conversation on SVTV Africa’s Business Link with DJ Nyaami, he opened up about his life journey, hustle, and success in America.
“I’ve lived in New York all my life,” Eric shared. “I’ve been in the U.S. for about 25 to 27 years. I came to America as a child, and it wasn’t easy at first. Navigating the city, figuring out the trains—it was tough.”
His older brother brought him to the U.S., and just three days after arriving, Eric started job hunting in downtown New York. From that point, his hustle began. In 2004, he got into the taxi business, buying a Lincoln Town Car and making a good living from it. “The taxi business really changed my life. It was a solid hustle. You had control over your money,” he said.
He continued driving taxis until 2009, when his license was suspended. He had to sell off all his taxis due to some violations. Afterward, he moved into other ventures—working in nursing homes, cooking for residents, and even getting into shipping and car exportation to Ghana. “I started driving back in Ghana when I was just 12 years old,” he recalled. “So I was always on the move.”
Despite slowing down on shipping containers to Ghana because of challenges at the port, including corruption and delays, Eric still manages his car business.
“Shipping to Ghana now is tough, especially at the harbour. Too much corruption. But God willing, everyone should at least visit America once to see things for themselves.”
Eric warned about the strict rules in the U.S., noting, “If you ignore tickets for too long, your car could get towed. There are so many laws here.”
Born in the city but raised in a village, Eric said he decided early on to never live in a village again.
“If you’re into business or shipping, staying in a rural area makes it hard to find a market.”
He shared insights about people trying to move abroad through connections.
“Some are lucky, some aren’t. You might sell your property to move abroad and succeed, or lose everything. Age matters too. If you’re 50 and thinking of relocating, it’s not easy.”
Speaking on personal experiences, he said,
“If you have friends who are addicted to bad habits, and you’re not smart, you’ll fall into the same trap. At age 45-47, I had my share of fun too, but I always stayed focused.”
Eric last visited Ghana about two years ago and only spent a month. “Usually, I can only stay for two weeks. I plan to retire in America, but I’ve invested in properties back in Ghana.”
He encouraged the youth to stay focused and work hard. “Life is about dedication and consistency. If you put in the effort, you’ll make it.”
Back in the Bronx, Eric is fully focused on growing Amalina’s Kitchen, a Ghanaian food brand serving delicious meals in New York.
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