MTN Ghana has hosted the 2026 MTN SME Accelerate Youth Entrepreneur Webinar as part of its sustained efforts to equip young entrepreneurs with the requisite skills, knowledge, and practical strategies needed to build and grow successful side businesses while pursuing higher education or managing full-time careers.
Held under the theme “The Side-Hustle Growth Playbook: Running a Business While in School or on a 9-to-5,” the webinar featured accomplished entrepreneurs who shared personal experiences and actionable insights on balancing professional commitments with entrepreneurship, inspiring participants to turn their passion projects into sustainable ventures.
The virtual session, moderated by media personality Afi Tsegah, focused on the growing importance of side businesses in today’s economy and featured insights from Ms. Chichi Yakubu, Founder and CEO of NyoNyo Essentials; Ms. Lawrencia Bazal Darko, Founder of Bazal Art Studios; and Princess Burland, influencer and Founder of Diya Organics.
Ms. Chichi Yakubu, Founder and CEO of NyoNyo Essentials, encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace multiple income streams, stressing that the current economic climate makes it increasingly difficult to depend on a single source of income.
Sharing her entrepreneurial journey, she explained that what began as a personal weight-loss mission evolved into a thriving food business after she identified a growing demand for healthy meals and decided to turn her passion into a business opportunity.
Yakubu also urged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait for the “perfect time” before launching a business, insisting that action and consistency are more important than having all the resources in place.
“There is never really a right time. If you’re waiting to have enough money, the right network or the perfect platform, you will never start,” she said.
While encouraging boldness, she advised those seeking financial security to build their side hustles alongside full-time employment until they are confident their businesses can sustain their desired lifestyles.
“If you want to be safe and financially secure, find a job that caters to your needs and pursue your passion in your spare time. Those foundational years build character, resilience and the stamina needed to succeed as an entrepreneur,” she noted.
Yakubu further emphasized that entrepreneurs should focus on solving real-life problems, adding that identifying market gaps and creating practical solutions can transform personal interests into successful and sustainable businesses.
Ms. Lawrencia Bazal Darko, Founder of Bazal Art Studios and a legal practitioner, urged aspiring entrepreneurs to build businesses around skills they genuinely possess and to approach business formalization strategically.
Sharing her experience of transitioning from law into photography, she said founders should understand the core operations of their businesses to effectively supervise quality and ensure long-term sustainability.
“Before you think of starting a side hustle, it should be something you can supervise and something you can critique because you’re mostly not there,” she said, noting that many ventures fail because owners lack practical knowledge of the services they offer.
On business registration, Bazal Darko advised entrepreneurs to first test the viability of their ideas before formalizing them.
“From a lawyer’s perspective, I would say formalize the business the moment you conceive it, but from an entrepreneur’s perspective, I would say run the business for a while and make sure people outside your family and friends are willing to pay for your product or service,” she explained.
She cautioned that registering a business comes with legal and tax obligations, encouraging startups to prepare for those responsibilities before taking that step.
Bazal Darko also stressed the importance of protecting businesses through clear terms and conditions, policies and contracts, explaining that small businesses are often vulnerable to unfair treatment if expectations are not properly documented.
She further advised entrepreneurs to register as sole proprietors in the early stages where appropriate and to separate personal finances from business finances by opening dedicated business accounts.
“Separating your personal and business finances from the beginning helps you stay organized and also builds credibility with customers,” she advised.
She encouraged young entrepreneurs to complement legal advice with personal research, noting that understanding the regulatory environment and establishing sound business practices from the outset can position startups for sustainable growth.
Princess Burland, influencer and Founder of Diya Organics, also advised young entrepreneurs to manage expectations, exercise patience, and adopt strategic thinking in building sustainable businesses amid social media pressure.
She cautioned that online perceptions of high demand are often misleading, noting that some businesses deliberately create the impression of scarcity or large-scale sales to drive interest.
“Sometimes what you see on social media is strategy. I’ve done it before starting with 10 products and telling people it was hundreds,” she said, adding that entrepreneurs should not abandon their ventures due to slow initial traction.
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Burland urged business owners to understand that growth is often gradual and to remain consistent even when results are not immediate, stressing the importance of resilience in handling setbacks and operational challenges.
She also highlighted the need for professionalism in customer relations, encouraging entrepreneurs to remain calm and respectful when dealing with clients, especially in the age of social media accountability.
“You have to humble yourself for your clients, even when it is difficult, but at the same time maintain your policies so people don’t take advantage of you,” she said.
Burland summarized her advice as a balance of risk-taking, patience, emotional intelligence, and strong business boundaries for long-term success.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
