“Start Small, Build Big” — Mary Anane Awuku Urges Women to Turn Dreams into Lasting Legacie

Executive Director of Brain Hill International School, Mary Anane Awuku (Mrs.), has encouraged women to start with the resources available to them, remain consistent, and gradually build their dreams into sustainable ventures and institutions.

She said women aspiring to make an impact should not allow limited resources or the fear of starting small to prevent them from pursuing their goals, stressing that meaningful growth often begins with one person, one customer, or one opportunity.

Mrs. Awuku made the call when she addressed the fourth edition of the She Triumph Conference, held at the La Palm Royal Hotel in Accra, on the theme “Her Blueprint; Her Legacy.”

Sharing her personal entrepreneurial journey, she said Brain Hill International School started from a three-bedroom house with about 40 people but had grown into a three-campus institution with a capacity of about 3,000 students.

She said the institution currently had about 1,000 students, describing the journey as evidence that great institutions could emerge from humble beginnings when founders remained committed to their vision.

“You start by talking to one person. You get one customer. You get two people. You get ten people. That is how the growth comes,” she said.

Mrs. Awuku urged women not to become discouraged when their initial efforts appeared small, saying consistency, learning, and the ability to adapt were essential to building sustainable enterprises and legacies.

She encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to study their environment, learn from others, and develop something distinctive that would give their businesses or initiatives a competitive advantage.

According to her, competition should not necessarily be viewed as a threat but as an opportunity for individuals to examine what they could do differently and better.

She also advised women to maintain a positive mindset, continually acquire knowledge, and remain committed to their vision even when progress appeared slow.

Turning adversity into purpose

The conference also challenged women to transform difficult experiences into sources of strength and purpose.

Ms. Whitney Boakye-Mensah, Founder of My Dear Sister’s Keeper, urged women to embrace healing, growth, and purpose rather than allowing painful experiences to define their identities.

She said women should not be ashamed of their stories or hide their struggles, stressing that difficult experiences could become a source of strength and an avenue to support others.

“Your story is not your shame. It is your weapon,” she said.

Ms. Boakye-Mensah said true legacy was not simply what a person left behind after death, but the lives touched, healed, and transformed while the person was still alive.

She encouraged women who were going through difficult seasons to seek help, heal deliberately, and pursue their purpose without waiting for perfect circumstances.

“Start it now. Start it broke. Start it while you are still healing. Purpose does not wait for perfection,” she said.

Four years of empowering women

The conference was convened by Lady Mrs Deborah Borketey-Tackie, popularly known as Derby Queen, as part of the She Triumph initiative, which seeks to empower young women between 18 and 35 through skills development, mentorship, and entrepreneurship support.

Speaking about the initiative, Lady Borketey-Tackie said its motivation was rooted in her long-standing commitment to empowering women and creating opportunities for them to become economically independent.

She said the initiative had been running for four years and had continued to provide women with practical skills, mentorship, and opportunities to develop their own businesses.

Participants are trained in areas including makeup, photography, videography, baking and sugar craft, wig making, and other skills, followed by mentorship and opportunities to pitch business ideas for seed funding.

Lady Borketey-Tackie said the ultimate goal was to help reduce unemployment and teenage pregnancy by equipping young women with practical skills and pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

Celebrating achievement

The fourth edition also featured the graduation of the third cohort of the She Triumph programme, with 10 women receiving certificates after completing the programme.

Mary Agbenorlawo emerged as the winner of the conference’s business support initiative and received a GH¢10,000 seed fund to support her entrepreneurial ambitions.

The programme also featured a poetry recital by Farida Mensah Ibrahim and a choreography performance by Chara Mime Dance Ministry.

Apam Senior High School Girls presented an A3 wooden-framed portrait and engraved photograph to Lady Borketey-Tackie in recognition of her work and contribution to women’s empowerment.

The conference further witnessed the unveiling and auction of the She Triumph Magazine, a publication highlighting the blueprint, journey, and legacy of Lady Borketey-Tackie and the She Triumph initiative.

Building a culture of support

The speakers also encouraged women to support one another by sharing knowledge, creating networks, opening doors for others, and providing mentorship to younger women.

Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, Executive Director of Salt & Light Ministries and keynote speaker, joined other speakers in encouraging participants to take responsibility for the kind of legacy they wished to create.

Other speakers included Rashida Saani, Chief Executive Officer of I-ZAR Group, and Lady Mrs. Deborah Borketey-Tackie, Convener of the She Triumph Conference.

The fourth edition brought together women, young entrepreneurs, mentors, educators, and other stakeholders to reflect on personal development, entrepreneurship, healing, purpose, and the importance of creating opportunities for future generations.

The event ended with a renewed call for women to define their own paths, begin with what they have, and remain committed to building legacies capable of transforming lives.

Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor

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