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