Profiles of Purpose: Yes She Can

Stanford Graduate School of Business2017-06-20

Ghana#Business#Working#Peanut#Africa#Music#Product Line#Curry

3K views|7 years ago

💫 Short Summary

Elsie Dogbegah, founder of Elssy Kess Company Limited in Ghana, started small but now employs 42 people, with 80% women, focusing on agroprocessing African ethnic foods. She empowers single mothers with support, scholarships, and skills training, emphasizing perseverance and support for marginalized women in Ghana.

✨ Highlights

📊 Transcript

✦

Success story of Elsie Dogbegah, founder of Elssy Kess Company Limited in Ghana, starting with three women and 20 pounds of peanuts, now employing 42 people, 80% women, across a seven-acre facility.

01:00

Elssy Kess Company Limited focuses on agroprocessing African ethnic foods with 35 product lines.

Dogbegah prioritizes empowering single mothers through support, scholarships, and skills training.

Despite societal challenges, Elsie Dogbegah remains dedicated to her vision and the well-being of her employees.

Emphasizes the importance of perseverance and support for marginalized women in Ghana.

00:01In Africa, women are vulnerable and deprived.

00:06I want to help them, I want to make a difference.

00:10[MUSIC]

00:19My name is Elsie Dogbegah.

00:22And the company name is Elssy Kess Company Limited, and basing Ghana.

00:28[MUSIC]

00:31We are in agroprocessing African ethnic foods.

00:34[MUSIC]

00:37When I started it was like a laughter or mockery.

00:43Family members will say how is she doing?

00:46Why don't you travel overseas and get a better job to do?

00:50Because how can you sell peanuts and make money?

00:53How can you sell curry?

00:56You're an educated person.

00:57[MUSIC]

01:00I started with three women on a table in a rented apartment and 20 pounds of peanuts.

01:07[MUSIC]

01:09So we started gradually and the customers kept on increasing.

01:15We have 42 employees now.

01:1880% women.

01:19[MUSIC]

01:24We have seven acre facility.

01:27The product line kept on increasing.

01:31The peanut butter, curry, red oil and zumi.

01:36The product lines is 35 now and we are still working.

01:43One thing about my business is that it's not just making profit or money.

01:49Almost 50% of the women who work with me have kids, they are single mothers.

01:54And because I'm also a single mother, I have that passion.

02:00[MUSIC]

02:02When I'm in the traffic and I see them on the streets, I just ask,

02:06why are you doing this?

02:08The sun is not good for the kids.

02:10I talk to them, give them shelter, give them insurance and

02:15the scholarship for their kids and also give them

02:19the necessary skills that they can stand up for themselves.

02:25Some are very, very, very grateful and

02:28I see that they are very emotional attach to me and the company.

02:34I'm happy to see women smiling every day.

02:39They come to work, they aid,

02:42they know that they have somebody who loves them and cares for them.

02:47You have people who are working for you, they are looking out for you.

02:52So it's always give me pressure and thinking to try to let ends meet.

02:58This is a woman who is trying to put together

03:03women who doesn't have anything, who needs help and support.

03:11The challenges we have In Ghana, they don't

03:15think a woman can grow or take care of a business.

03:20I have overcome this perception,

03:24because I have taken it upon myself that God has given me a vision.

03:30Challenges doesn't weigh me down.

03:32My rabbi give me the room to keep on going.

03:36Even though struggle here and there I still continue fighting.

03:43If I give up, what happens to the women?

03:48[SOUND]

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