Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This week on WomenPreneurs series on YouthWise Forum, I interviewed Yvette Ansah, CEO & Founder of Fresh Bites.

Track by: Eli (EliMusikGH)

Why did you decide to embark on this entrepreneurial journey?

I did not make a conscious decision to become a health and wellness entrepreneur. You can say I fell into it. But when it clicked that this was the path I was born to be on, I flew with it! For me, embarking on this journey means freedom and taking charge of your destiny.

What makes your company and its products and services distinctive?

Fresh Bites is all about making the pursuit of health fun and accessible. We offer clients healthier alternatives to foods currently on offer on the market. What we are saying is, on those days that you are craving a healthy meal, call or email us, create a healthy salad, order a fruit cup for pick up or we can bring it you in your office or home. How easy is that?! We are passionate about living well and this translates into our ability to understand and anticipate the wellness needs of our clients.

What has been your worst experience since you started?

That would be when one of my most trusted employees stole money that was meant to be deposited at the bank. He really knocked the wind out of my sails! I was so sad when it happened. I really trusted him and just couldn’t wrap my head around it.

And your best?

I love, love, love it when we get positive feedback from clients! We had a client who along with exercise and our salads dropped a ton of weight earlier on this year. It felt so good to see how his entire outlook on living had shifted and to know that my company played a part in that.

What keeps you awake at night?

New ideas! There are nights when I literally cannot get my mind to calm down and fall asleep because I have so many thoughts going through my head. What can we do next? What new combinations can we come up? What other products can we offer to our clients? How can we sell more salads? And then there are times too where we may have messed up on an order with a client and process that too. Why did we mess up? How could we have prevented it? But, I am trying not to do too much of that these days. As my one of my dear friends says “The past is a video tape you keep playing in your head! Let it go!”

What are your keys to success in business?

Perseverance. Resilience. Enthusiasm. Passion. Buckets of energy. A sense of humour. Faith.

What are the future goals for your business?

My brand is about health and happiness. I believe, 100%, that healthier people are happier. They are more productive, have more passion to pursue their goals and are generally just badass!

In terms of future plans, the goal is to continue growing as a successful wellness lifestyle brand, coming up with products and services that will help our clients (companies, schools, individuals) reach their health goals.

What is your message to Africa’s young aspiring business people and entrepreneurs?

Dream big. Be passionate. Don’t waste time. Find the courage to take the plunge and go after your dreams. Be ready to work hard.

How can Africa realize its full potential?

I get so excited when I think of Africa! We have so much potential on this beautiful continent. But, we can never unleash this potential if we operate within a mindset of small thinking, mediocrity and doing just enough to get by. And we can definitely forget about getting ahead as a continent, if individuals elected into power do not put their nations interests ahead of self-enrichment.

If we are to unleash Africa’s fullest potential, I believe we need a movement. A movement made up of individuals who are passionate and who care deeply about Africa. People, who are willing to sacrifice their time, share their knowledge and who accept nothing but excellence when it comes to whatever they are working on.

This is our Africa and developing a culture of hard work and excellence will have a ripple effect!

How do you relax?

I read recipe books or I bake. After a really stressful day or just to unwind, you will most likely find me in my kitchen, music on full blast, a chilled glass of something and me baking. No healthy stuff allowed during these sessions. Really decadent chocolate cookies. Honey pound cakes. My all-time favorite carrot cake.