In this new season, we’re kicking off not with a founder or next-generation, but a legal expert and a strategic business advisor, Mr. Theodore Albright.

He highlights the need to define family, form a family council, and create a family constitution to guide operations and boost success.

He further emphasizes on business assumptions, key success factors, and the fixed mindset to consider when starting or growing a business.

In our inaugural episode of FBD on the Streets, Mary chats with Mrs. Harriet Hilda Nkansah, manager of Ogray's Special Aboboi & Tatale, a beloved food business started by her mother decades ago. Harriet shares how she transformed the informal business by introducing corporate structures such as inventory management, branding, communication, social media marketing, and delivery services, ensuring that tradition meets modern efficiency. She also opens up about navigating conflicts within the informal sector and offers practical strategies for sustaining a family business legacy. Her advice to family business owners in the informal sector? Learn, reinvent, and innovate, because even the most traditional businesses must evolve to meet the expectations of a new generation of customers.

Watch the visual version of the episode on YouTube. https://youtu.be/zYrGtrXKlds

In this heartfelt episode of Family Business Diaries, Mary sits down with Mr. Samuel Patrick Oduro, founder of Universal Hospitals Group, and his daughter, Neena Oduro, Chief Operating Officer of the company. Together, they share their journey of building and sustaining their family business legacy.

From Mr. Oduro’s advice to involve the next generation in the business early to Neena’s call for open-mindedness and adaptability among next-gens, this conversation dives into trust, lessons learnt, and navigating generational transitions.

They candidly reflect on their regrets, corrections, and the core principles that have driven the success of Universal Hospitals Group. Whether you’re a founder or next-gen in a family business, this episode is packed with actionable insights for creating a sustainable legacy.

Watch the visual version of the episode. https://youtu.be/ebTW_46z60U

In this episode of Family Business Diaries, Mary sits down with Nana Ama Buckman, Publishing Manager and Head of HR at Buck Press Ltd., a family business founded by her father over 30 years ago.

Nana Ama shares her unique journey of integrating her passion for writing and publishing into her role within the family business. She highlights the vital role of Next-Gens in fostering a healthy work culture, empowering staff, and ensuring the sustainability of legacy businesses.

The conversation delves into key issues such as balancing qualifications over familiarity when hiring family members and the importance of establishing robust structures for business growth.

Her advice to Next-Gens navigating leadership transitions?

'Don't put pressure on yourself. Establish the structures and succeed.'

Watch the visual version of the episode here

In this episode of Family Business Diaries, Mary sits down with Dr. Emmanuel Obiri Addo, Director at Kyei BeKind Enterprise Ltd., to explore the essential elements of building a lasting family business legacy in Ghana’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry.

Dr. Addo shares his journey of learning every aspect of the family business since a tender age alongside his four siblings, a foundation laid by their mother. He emphasizes the value of putting customer needs first and creating a unique niche in your industry.

Dr. Addo also provides honest advice for family business owners: learn from your mistakes, trust your family team, and don’t hesitate to seek expert guidance to establish robust business structures. This episode is filled with practical wisdom for those looking to ensure their family business thrives for generations.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about family, legacy, and lessons learned.

Watch the visual version of the episode here

In this special virtual episode of Family Business Diaries, we sit down with David Grammig, a Global Family Office Expert and Founder of Grammig Advisory. David shares expert insights on how African family businesses can leverage storytelling and build strong partnerships with investors to drive long-term success. He emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence, sharing family business stories, and expanding networks globally. As a key figure in the family office space, David also invites family business leaders to attend the 2024 Africa Wealth Summit, where they can connect, learn, and grow their businesses. Watch the visual version of this episode here.

In this episode of Family Business Diaries, Mary sits down with Ing. Nana Afua Sarpong, Director of Operations at Belshaw Limited, a family business founded by her father over 40 years ago. Nana Afua shares her journey of returning from the diaspora with her civil engineering background to implement structures and systems which professionalized the company and drive growth. Her advice to family businesses is clear: put the right structures in place to ensure long-term success.

Watch the visual version of this episode here.

In this special episode of Family Business Diaries, we are thrilled to bring you a live session recorded at the Ashesi University Entrepreneurship Capstone Class. Our two distinguished guests, Mr. Seth Quaye, Founder and CEO of MacPartners Group, and Mrs. Anita Osei-Manu, Director of Amalena Group, offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of managing a family business from both the founder’s and Next-Gen’s perspectives.

Mr. Quaye shares his journey of building MacPartners Group with a family-first mentality, strategically involving his sons and their wives in the business.

On the other hand, Mrs. Anita Osei-Manu reveals how she transitioned into leadership at the Amalena Group, implementing key structures that have driven the company’s growth and expansion.

Tune in for an engaging discussion that explores the successes, challenges, and lessons learned in creating and sustaining a family legacy.

Watch the visual episode here.