Interviewer:
Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement in your career! Your innovative and refreshing idea, Eden Bar, truly embodies brilliance and creativity. Well done!
When was the idea born and from what circumstance?
John: The idea was born around November/December 2019. It was born under the circumstance of trying to find a place such as Eden bar for myself. I used to drink and smoke but I quit doing all that in 2018 and I found there weren’t any places in Accra where I could go and still have a good time without the dominance of alcohol and drugs. This realization prompted me to create Eden Bar, a unique and inviting space for people to enjoy themselves without the pressure of alcohol and drugs.
Interviewer: What was your initial vision? Do you feel you have achieved that vision?
John: Eden Bar is a work in progress, but it’s taking shape according to my vision. The idea was to create a garden setup rather than a traditional brick and mortar or rooftop venue. I looked for venues that felt like a garden and I was able to find the perfect venue for that. My dream is to offer a unique experience, and though it’s still evolving, the bar has been operating for a few months doing just that. With each step, Eden Bar is getting closer to becoming the charming garden retreat I envisioned, providing a wonderful and inviting place for people to gather and enjoy their time.
Interviewer: Why the concept of a garden?
John: The name “Eden” was inspired by the Biblical “Garden of Eden.” When the name first came to mind, it resonated with me deeply, and I instantly knew that it had to be a garden-inspired setting.
Interviewer: What were some of the obstacles you faced?
John: I faced a lot of obstacles. The initial challenge was the lack of understanding from people around me about my desire to create a non-alcoholic bar, as it had never been done before. Even friends and family were skeptical, and some considered it a crazy and impossible idea. The other major obstacle was securing funding.
Interviewer: In the process of growing the business, did you find that you received more support and assistance from others, or was it primarily a solo endeavor on your part?
John: Initially, I handled everything on my own to a certain extent. However, I soon recognized the significance of collaborating with others and building a strong team. Partnering with a few individuals completely transformed the situation. I no longer had to shoulder the burden alone and, together with my team, we elevated the business to its current level.
Interviewer: Were there moments of doubt, creating such a new market not just in Ghana but Africa?
John: I did not have many doubts. The truth is, I had a vision, and when I have a vision, I make sure to follow it through. The clarity of the vision was so strong within me that I knew it would happen, although I wasn’t certain about the exact timing.
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on starting a business in a market where there are no other competitors?
John: I actually wish we had competitors because it pushes us to improve and be better. I’ve noticed that our initiative has inspired others, and people from various places, even outside Ghana, like Europe, Australia, and America, have reached out to me. Starting this venture has encouraged others to pursue similar ideas.
Interviewer: Some people think of Eden Bar as a Christian bar, especially because it organizes events like “rep your church.” What stance would you like to give on that?
John: While the founder of Eden Bar is a Christian and takes their faith seriously, the bar is not exclusively for Christians. It welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs, including Muslims who don’t drink alcohol. The bar hosts various celebrations and events throughout the year, catering to a diverse audience, and has a regular karaoke night every Friday. The focus is on embracing all customers, with Christians being just one part of the target market.
Interviewer: What is your coping mechanism in the face of the negativity people might bring concerning the business?
John: People might bring? (laughs). I have already received a lot of negativity. I kind of expected it, so it wasn’t a surprise. It’s just sad to see fellow young entrepreneurs and Ghanaians trying to mock the business without understanding my vision or what I’m going through. People go on Twitter to make funny comments just to feel like they’ve said something witty. But you know what? It didn’t change a thing because I had my vision clear, and I knew exactly what I was going to do.
Interviewer: Eden Bar participated in April Fools by tweeting about starting to sell alcohol, meant in a playful manner. In response, someone commented, “Whether it is April Fools or not, you will definitely start selling alcohol because people can come and buy moet and ciroc and blow like 10k.” The tweeter implied that without alcohol, the bar might not generate significant profits, as people wouldn’t spend large amounts like they do in bars that serve alcoholic beverages. What are your thoughts on this?
John: I won’t face losses because I’m focusing on non-alcoholic drinks. Contrary to the common belief, over 70% of Ghanaians don’t drink at all. The perception that everyone drinks is mainly because those who do are often the ones that are seen. However, there’s a large population of people who don’t drink, making them our target audience. People may not know this about me, but I actually used to work in a nightclub. I chose to leave that job because I don’t drink, so this moment won’t be when I start selling alcohol. I could have easily continued working there since it’s one of the best nightclubs in the city. With all that experience, I have a deep understanding of how the nightlife industry works. So, let me make it clear, Eden Bar is meant to be a non-alcoholic bar, and that’s how it’s going to stay forever.
Interviewer: Have there been instrumental individuals who played a significant role in shaping your journey and bringing you to where you are today?
John: Yes, my partners. I have two partners and they have been very instrumental. Like I said, at the beginning I was doing everything by myself, and it was difficult but once they came into the picture, they were able to open my eyes to other possibilities and other avenues of making the idea happen. We did not start by having a fully operational bar, we started with a pop up and that was an idea that came from one of my partners and it helped set up the actual functional bar.
Interviewer: Reflecting on your journey, are there any aspects you would have handled differently or changes you would have made along the way?
John: I would have probably started doing the pop-ups much earlier because they played a crucial role in our success. From the start, I was solely focused on building a permanent spot, but if I had realized sooner that doing one-day events or pop-ups could gather momentum and help us achieve our goals, I would have started them earlier.
Interviewer: If one has a good business idea but fears starting the business or failing, what advice would you offer to overcome those fears?
John: My advice is that everyone faces failures, even the greatest entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates. Failure is a part of the journey, but the key is to keep going and not let the fear of failure stop you. You never know if you will succeed or fail until you try. If you have a vision that keeps you up at night and fills your thoughts, like Eden Bar did for me, just go for it. Focus on that idea that excites you the most and take the leap. As Nike says, “Just do it.”
Interviewer: Any final words?
John: I read somewhere that money does not start the idea, the idea starts the money. A lot of times young people are scared to start because of capital. If you ball down and find a way to make the idea happen without money, you will find that the other resources will come along. Go with your passion!
Interviewer: Thank you so much. This has been very informative and inspiring.
John: Thank you too! This has been fun.
I think this interview was really interesting, and of course there is a population who don’t drink alcohol or can’t stand the smell so being in an environment as Eden bar would definitely be ideal. I even love the idea of how it’s known as the Christian bar-reflects on the name Eden too. I enjoyed reading this and it was motivating to do things differently- embracing the criticism along the journey.! Thank you for sharing!