Remy Edmundson – Sentiments of a Saint

Challenges of a Start Up – To Seek Employment or Not

Posted by Remy Edmundson under Business, Entrepreneurship

It’s been a real challenge to keep alive my dreams of running my own business especially these past few weeks.

I had always nurtured the dream to own and run my own business throughout my 5 year stay at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).
4 years pursuing a B.Sc. in Computer Science and 1 year as a National Service Personnel with Interact Afrika Ltd. based in Africa Hall, KNUST.

After my National Service, I applied for an IT Support job with a religious organization in Accra. For some strange reason, the Human Resource Manager was never able to put together a team to interview me and so finally after several weeks of being asked to “Call back next week”, I gave up on them.

I then followed up on my friend, George Appiah’s offer to join Telesoft Company Limited. Telesoft was being run by himself and Elolo Avisseh.

I joined Telesoft with Kwame Nkansah. And Oh! Christopher Bennett was there also.
We had some really great moments back then.

Somehow, things didn’t quite work out as I expected and not wanting to go through another bout of Job applications, I began to give serious thought to my dream of setting up my own Web Development Company.

Thinking back, I realize I was really scared back then about taking this step. And wasted spent a month or two making up my mind. This was somewhere in August 2007.
I received some great support and advice from George throughout the period and finally incorporated my business on July 3rd, 2008.

Starting up a business in Ghana is quite a challenge. At least in my case.

The main challenge I faced back then was with my parents. They did not understand why I wouldn’t seek employment as most of my mates had done, but would to choose to go through the ‘wilderness’ of Entrepreneurship. These comments were heightened especially when my age mates who were gainfully employed started driving cars and generally exhibiting signs of a good living.
But I still stuck to my guns. Which guns anyway?

They have finally come around to understand my view point and I’m enjoying some really great support from them now.

But as I speak write, I’m being advised, almost every week by well-meaning adults to seek employment and run my business part-time very frequently. Their argument is that, once I gain employment, I can look forward to a regular salary, which I currently do not enjoy. They reckon I can use the salary to support myself and my family and attend to my business on weekends.

I really do appreciate these concerns but then I know deep down that’s not an option for me. I have a thousand and one explanations for that. But the main reason is that, at this stage in my life I need to spend all the time I can to really establish the business and so working part-time is not an option for me at all.

And they are sending some real tempting offers my way. I sure will have to turn all of them down which may also strain my relationships with these fine folks.
But I know it will all work out well.

This brings to mind one of my favourite hymns during my Secondary School Education at the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC), Legon:

“Through the love of God Our Saviour, All Will Be Well”

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I can’t name you all, but my sincere appreciation goes to everyone who has supported me in one way or the other.
To all who desire to thread the Entrepreneur’s Road, NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!!

Like R. Kelly says I definitely can see the light at the end of the tunnel. And I definitely will be there SOON!!!

Technology Support for Non-Profits

Posted by Remy Edmundson under Non-Profits, Technology

Most Non-Profits bodies in Ghana lack funds to pursue IT projects within the Organization.

Sometimes, the case is that Non-Profit Managers are not aware of the extent to which they can promote their activities by using Information Technology tools e.g a website.

But it hurts more when Managers are aware, but do not have appropriate funds to carry out in house Technology Projects.

This is where I come in.

Since August 2008, I have been working with 2 Non-Profits to identify their Technology needs and also assist them to secure funds for these Technology projects.

The Evergreen Club of Ghana (ECOG), established in 1987 is and NGO focused on Environmental and Sustainable Development issues.

At the moment, I’m part of the ECOG team of volunteers writting a propossal for a 5 year Environmental Campaign aimed at raising awareness about the need to keep the environment clean.

The Alliance for African Women Initiative (AFAWI) is a development oriented Non-profit, Non-sectarian, Non-governmental organization that seeks to ensure equitable development for both rural inhabitants and poor urban dwellers.

AFAWI is also planning a 3 DAY CONFERENCE ON CAPACITY BUILDING FOR HIV SUPPORT GROUPS, of which I am involved in also.

Working with both these organisations has been very beneficial since I have gained a lot of insight into the challenges faced by Non-Profits in Ghana.

In the coming weeks, I will be writing about on-going projects, challenges faced as well as Open Source Technology Tools for Non-Profits.

Here are a few Non-Profit websites I frequent:

• Tech Soup
• Tactical Technology
• Nonprofit Technology Network