Meet the Graduate Who Turned Down Further University Education to Sell Fried Yam
- Dominic Oduro is the co-owner of One Styk Fries, a food brand he took over from his mother after senior high school
- The alumnus of Labone Senior High School has been selling fried yam for the past six years and plans to expand the business
- Oduro turned down an opportunity to further his education at the university because of his quest to run the business
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Vendor of One Styk Fries, Dominic Oduro, has been selling fried yam for the past six years after he took over the food brand from his mother after senior high school.
He worked as a swimming coach and French teacher before taking over the business at Bawaleshie, East Legon, Accra.
The alumnus of Labone Senior High School told SVTV Africa's DJ Nyaami in an interview that the initial stage was not easy. He recounted that he was called names because of his gender.
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Overcoming challenges
Oduro, however, overlooked the challenges, focusing on growing and rebranding the small business. He mentioned that, when he took over, they were selling without a portable shelter.
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His mother, Madam Akua Asare, told SVTV Africa that before Oduro took over the trade, the family planned for their son to further his education, but he turned down the opportunity, saying he wanted to take over his mom's business and make it better.
''He told us that there are many graduates without jobs, so he does not want to be like them.''
Decision pays off
Oduro's bold decision paid off. ''Some of his graduate friends come here to borrow money from him. Gradually, he's been able to get his first car from this,'' Madam Akua said.
Oduro, in his 20s, hopes to open another branch of One Styk Fries in two years. His growing business serves fried yam with gizzard, redfish, and octopus.
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Briefly News previously reported that when Godwin Agyapong decided to venture into the technology industry, he was unemployed with little to no idea of how he would finance his business idea into reality.
But that didn't deter him from pursuing his goal to start a high-quality delivery and pickup system, which became known as LocQar.
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Agyapong had returned to Ghana from the US with a degree from the California State University, where he studied Communication and minored in International Business.
Source: Briefly News
Maryn Blignaut (Human-Interest HOD) Maryn Blignaut is the Human Interest manager and feature writer. She holds a BA degree in Communication Science, which she obtained from the University of South Africa in 2016. She joined the Briefly - South African News team shortly after graduating and has over six years of experience in the journalism field. Maryn passed the AFP Digital Investigation Techniques course (Google News Initiative), as well as a set of trainings for journalists by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at: maryn.blignaut@briefly.co.za
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.