We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Esi Antwi Koah a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Maria Esi Antwi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

This whole idea started when I completed junior high and Senior high school. After every vacation, I sell indomine in front of my mother’s house. I was doing this until my mom started a rental business and I was managing the place until I got admission to study Geography at the University of Education, Winneba. I met two wonderful roommates and I will say they made my entrepreneurial spirit spark. Their advice and words of encouragement were part of my success now. Thank you Kashifa and Phyllis Nartey. Fast forward, they graduated and left the school; that was how everything started. I sell solo and meat turnovers every Sunday at church and that was when our parish priest Professor Anthony Afful-Broni recognized me singing at church and right after church, I sell solo. So he came to my table and said ” WHO ARE YOU?, WHERE DO YOU COME FROM, YOU ARE SUCH AN INDUSTRIOUS LADY”. These were his word and then the next thing I used as an example during his homily. Right after church, I went to him to thank him and he told me to write a letter to the university and apply for a space to cook. I got the shop and I started operating.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a degree holder who sells one of the best Waakye, Jollof, and Fried Rice on Campus—University of Education, Winneba. I got into this business because I enjoy cooking for many people starting from my house, my mom will invite people to come and eat and I will be the one cooking all the time. I provide catering services and rental services as well. what sets me apart from others is the uniqueness of my product which start from the taste of the food to the quality of the food. I am a proud young lady today because I have been able to open my business and be able to employ two workers and pay them and myself every month. I want my clients to know that my brand provides the best and most organic meals you can think of.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I started the business I was working with a young lady at the time and she left because the pay was small. So I had to look for someone else because I was about to do my national service. This lady came in and we worked for six months and I entrusted the business to her hands. she was doing well but I realized she was taking some of my money I had no evidence so I decided to fix a camera there which I did after some few days I came to the shop randomly to take whatever she has sold. then her attitude started changing but she didn’t know there was a camera there until one day I caught her and also diverted all my mobile money transactions to his friend’s or boyfriend’s mobile money. I didn’t get anything I was always reinvesting new money into the business. I couldn’t earn anything until I sacked this lady and she went to open a shop in town using my name that I have to open a new branch. From the day she left till now that I realized she was giving me 20% of both my capital and my profit and I was paying her 500 cedis at that time and giving her money on days we don’t work. Through prayers and advice from some friends I became stronger and better and now I just thank God for that divine favor.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson learned from what happened to me is always to trust your instincts and be on guard with your workers because the list mistake you do they will pin you done

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mariasfingerlicking_foods
• Facebook: Maria Esiantwi
• Twitter: @mariakoak
• Other: Tiktok @esimaria_2120