From Ghana To True Shea: Manny Addo On Building A Business With Soul

In this episode of Roots, Routes, and Voices, hosts Clara Matonhodze and Bryan Wright speak with Manny Addo, the founder of True Shea. Manny brings West Africa's prized beauty secret—100% pure shea butter—to American homes through his Cincinnati-based company.

Raised in Ghana, Manny shares his journey from aspiring medical doctor to entrepreneur after the loss of his mother at fifteen. He details his early ventures selling shoes and teaching in a remote village, highlighting the essential role of shea butter in both skincare and sustenance.

Upon moving to the United States with just $600, Manny pursued higher education in Cincinnati. With the help of supportive mentors and his own resilience, he transitioned from a career in finance to launching True Shea.

Manny discusses the challenges of bridging cultures, building a business as an immigrant, and his dedication to giving back by funding water wells in Ghana. His story offers valuable insights for those navigating entrepreneurship and seeking to make a meaningful impact.

Manny Addo is the CEO of True Shea, a black-owned natural beauty care company committed to empowering Ghanaian women. True Shea products are available nationwide at Kroger, Target, Amazon, and Jungle Jim’s International Market.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
01:26 - Origins of My Entrepreneurship Journey
08:47 - Shea Butter: Versatile and Edible
15:36 - Inspired to Impact: Shea Butter Journey
17:00 - Immigrant Journey and Giving Back
25:50 - "Untaught Business Essentials: Building Trust"
32:15 - Balancing Authenticity and Market Expansion
38:06 - Exploring Stereotypes in African Entrepreneurship
40:33 - Journey to Cincinnati
47:55 - Adjusting Speech for Clarity
52:43 - Product Sales Support Clean Water
59:53 - Motivational Speech to African Professionals
01:01:26 - "Join Our Podcast Community"
01:02:16 - Outro

Quotes:

"Inspiring change starts within us. When we give back, we transform communities."- Clara Matonhodze

"Success is collective. The immigrant journey is about uplifting others as we rise together."- Bryan Wright

"From a remote village to America's biggest stores, anything is possible with perseverance."- Manny Addo

Key Takeaways:

From Humble Beginnings in Ghana to Entrepreneurial Success in America
The Power of Cultural Bridges: Shea Butter as a Connector
Building a Business, Building Community
Navigating New Norms and Cultural Integration
Making Success About More Than Just Yourself
Perseverance—The Underrated Ingredient
Authenticity as an Advantage
Inspiring the Next Wave

Connect with Manny Addo:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manny-addo-54b5767
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/true.shea.butter/#
Website: https://www.naturalsheacare.com/about-us/

Call To Action:
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