Maame Dufie, CEO of Akwaaba African Restaurant, UK: Success, Challenges, and Life Lessons
Maame Dufie, the CEO of Akwaaba African Restaurant in Manchester, UK, recently shared her inspiring journey and experiences on the show Daily Hustle Worldwide, hosted by DJ Nyaami, founder of SVTV Africa.
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Reflecting on her restaurant’s success, she revealed that the holiday season was a major milestone as she completely sold out during Christmas, attributing her success to hard work and the exposure from her previous interview on the platform.
Maame also shed light on her challenges dealing with handymen in the UK, describing them as “confident tricksters.” She recounted being duped by several handymen who overcharged or took money without completing jobs.
For instance:
- One handyman charged £2,000, took an additional £300 for materials, and disappeared.
- Another charged £800 for gardening work, took £200 upfront, did minimal work, and never returned.
- Others would charge high call-out fees, ranging from £70 to £80, and inflate project costs afterward.
- The last handyman I hired was a Nigerian handyman who charged £150 but accepted £50 upfront. I recorded him for future purposes and due to that he completed the job in one night and left.
As a result, Maame now records all handymen she hires to ensure accountability and prevent further fraud.
Maame encouraged people planning to move abroad to learn skilled trades like plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work, which are highly lucrative in the UK.
“If you’re in Ghana and planning to travel, it’s wise to learn a handy job as it can be financially rewarding.”
While typical jobs pay £12-15 per hour, handymen can charge £80 just for a call-out, making it a profitable career path.
Maame and her husband share parenting responsibilities equally for their five children while maintaining financial independence.
Despite the challenges, she emphasized the importance of teamwork in marriage, saying,
“Don’t let money separate you from your husband.”
They have avoided relying on government social benefits, choosing instead to work hard to provide for their family.
Maame also highlighted the importance of transparency in relationships and stressed that couples should strive to achieve financial stability together.
Maame encouraged immigrants to be consistent in their efforts, adding that success is attainable through discipline and perseverance.
She and her husband purchased their own home in the UK, a feat she considers essential for stability and independence.
Addressing the common trend of building large homes in Ghana while living modestly abroad, Maame advised,
“If you live in a small room abroad, why build a huge mansion in Ghana? Build a small home and enjoy life where you are.”
During Christmas, Maame slashed her restaurant prices by 50% to accommodate her customers.
She also extended her generosity to the community by offering free meals at her church, Pentecost Manchester.
Maame’s story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the importance of balancing personal and professional life while navigating the challenges of living abroad.
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