Interview With Beatrice-Karbu-Founder of Ahavah

Interviewer-Welcome to the Chateau! I hope you’re having a good day.

Beatrice: I am, thank you for having me!

Interviewer: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in business?

Beatrice: I have always known I wanted to do something related to the business world. I looked around and saw people doing all these creative things like braiding hair, fixing nails, and sewing, and I thought “Maybe I could do something like that.” I even tried my hand at braiding, but let’s just say it didn’t turn out as planned. I have never been much of the creative type. I, however, still had that part of me that told me I wanted to create something unique and meaningful. I began to notice how much joy a personalized gift could bring to people. You know, those gifts with a personal touch, maybe a heartfelt message or something cute. There was only one person in that space I knew, and one day they were unavailable, leaving my friends unable to get a frame for a close friend’s birthday. I thought to myself, “I can do this, I have the resources and I genuinely enjoy it.” I had done something similar for class, so I had an idea of what it entailed. For me, the business mind has always been there, I just needed something to lay my hands on and start working, and Ahavah was exactly what I needed.

Interviewer-Why the name “Ahavah”?

Beatrice- I knew I didn’t want to have anything that was devoid of God because I have felt His guidance in every step of my journey. Holy spirit helped me start this idea, so I wanted to continue in that light. Once, I was using the Bible app and was reading about the attributes of God. One of the attributes of God is love. He is the God of Ahavah. You show Ahavah to people you are gifting to. You show love-I knew then and there that that was the name for my business.

Interviewer- Let’s talk about some of the hurdles you faced and how you moved past them

Beatrice- My initial challenge was dealing with doubts and internal battles. I saw people I knew starting their businesses and launching their first business videos. This made me wonder if when I started mine, I would have people to push it for me, you know that support network. I also feared if my business would be sustainable because I know people who started and are currently inactive. To be honest, I can’t really pinpoint one thing that helped me move past it. I really just started implementing all the ideas in my mind. I sent my promotional video out and everybody I sent it to posted it. That was further motivation- the support I had from people. That played a role in pushing me to do this and do it well. My advice to anyone is to just start, the rest will work itself out.

Interviewer- Is Ahavah the first of more projects you plan to launch, or are you currently focused on building and expanding it?

Beatrice- For now, Ahavah is on its own but there are so many things I could explore. It is not a definite yes or no. I could go into gifting which I tried on Mother’s Day. I could go into events. There are so many ways Ahavah can go and I’m open to exploring them.

Interviewer: In building the business was it more of a solo effort or did it involve community support and resources beyond your own?

Beatrice: I didn’t want to start something that would be a financial burden.  I started on my own for the initial stage but later a really close friend pitched in when I had to get stuff or had to go somewhere. Uber fairs in Ghana when running a business like this is not easy because there are a lot of pick-ups. That was the kind of support I got. It was lone with help from one friend later down the line.

Interviewer: Having been in business and generated sales, do you believe that success is more dependent on investing in marketing or on the actual product?

Beatrice: I think it’s primarily about the product but then again you need to know people to push your content. When you invest in the quality of a product, it often sells itself. I could accumulate hundreds of followers in a day on my business platforms, but my actual sales will be two. When you focus on offering the best quality products, however, you will find that people who aren’t even following you make purchases. It is nice to have a business page and see 10k followers because it shows credibility, but word of mouth is a better advertisement than the number of followers you have. When someone sees a frame in your room and says, “oh this is nice, where did you get it? I want one for myself, “-that’s a lasting impression.

Interviewer: What is your coping mechanism during challenging times in your business, such as periods of low sales?

Beatrice: I usually retreat to my own space and focus on my work. It’s not always the healthiest coping mechanism, but it’s how I deal with stress. When I see that customers aren’t texting me or there aren’t any new followers, I simply ignore my social media accounts on my phone. I do this to avoid unnecessary stress and burdens. You know, sometimes you think you can handle things, but they can really weigh you down. So, I make a conscious effort to concentrate on things that bring me joy and don’t add to my worries. It’s about finding balance and maintaining a positive mindset.”

Interviewer: When you reflect on your journey, from the birthing of Ahavah to where it stands today, are there key people who played an instrumental role in making this journey possible?

Beatrice: I have a feeling I’m not supposed to say no but no one really comes to mind. As I mentioned earlier, it was a lot of lone work at the beginning. There is one friend, however, whose business success has motivated me. I’ve witnessed her incredible journey, how she started from scratch and keeps on growing. Her success has been a huge inspiration for me. It made me believe that achieving something like her business, Helium Haven, is within my reach.

Interviewer-What is your vision for Ahavah in the next four to five years?

Beatrice- Currently, I rely on external suppliers, like rentals and such. In the coming years, my goal is to establish a network of independent body of suppliers. I also aim to broaden my reach beyond just students and expand my business beyond my current circle.

Interviewer: If you could have a conversation with yourself ten years from now, how would you like it to go?

Beatrice: I would congratulate myself on the impressive growth of the business, acknowledging the expansion I’ve achieved. I would tell myself not to be afraid to shine, not in a boastful way, but rather to inspire others. I would tell myself that with my talent and support system, there’s no need to hide. Someone out there needs the inspiration from my journey, so I have to let my light shine.

Interviewer: Do you have any last words?

Beatrice- God’s love encompasses all, including His favor. If you have a dream, don’t wait; start now. Today, we have the opportunity to connect with many people, especially as students. Your time to make things happen is right now.

Interviewer- Thank you for your time!

Beatrice- I am so honored to be on this as well. Thank you for having me.

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