By Betsy Ramser Jaime
Twumasi Bright is from the Ashanti Region of Ghana and has 4 sisters and 1 brother. For his schooling he attended Odumasi Methodist primary and junior high school in Odumasi.
When joining the Zidisha community, Twumasi had been in business for five years and was working under his aunt at the local soap bar. While this provided him with good experience, he was soon able to take a leap of faith and pursue his own entrepreneurial venture in his city of Techiman.
Twumasi gives his aunt so much credit for allowing him to get to where he is today, as he shares, ‘I started the business five years ago with the help of my aunt. She taught me how to make the soap and support me financially about 3500 cedis. The business is adjusting well which can give me about 280 cedis income per week or higher do to the market.’
After successfully obtaining his first Zidisha funded loan of $1 in November 2018, he has since raised an additional 4 loans from the Zidisha community.
With his first two loans in November 2018, Twumasi found himself in a good position to purchase additional soap making supplies including: ‘an assortment of oils, caustic soda, soda ash, perfume, and both small and medium packing materials. Twumasi shared, ‘I want to use this loan to expand my production and raise my local soap to a higher standard in the market and employ many people to work.’
Having access to Zidisha funded loans has also been a great source of stability, knowing that he can continue to purchase the oils and supplies that he needs, even when oil and other products tend to fluctuate in price.
Upon receiving his next loan in January 2019 for $90, Twumasi was able to rent a car which he used to transport his soaps to various markets in his region, allowing him to expand his reach and influence.
The following month, in February 2019, Twumasi was in need of fresh supplies of soda ash and caustic soda. In the past, the steep price increase and high cost of purchasing in bulk, would have been a hindrance. Fortunately, with access to additional credit through his Zidisha loans, Twumasi found himself in a position to be able to purchase bulk quantities without wondering how he would raise the funds.
Upon receiving the funds for the loan, Twumasi took to his discussion page and shared with lenders, ‘The last loan was very helpful, it has helped a lot because I was able to buy an additional one drum of palm oil, which for the past six months I bought one. Thanks for the loan.’
Most recently, in March 2020, Twumasi requested $272 from Zidisha lenders as he shared, ‘This loan will be used to buy caustic soda and ash for the soap work. The prices of caustic soda and ash are starting to increase due to coronavirus break out in China, they have less in the market and the prices increase day in and out. I hope taking this will help me to buy more to save and store for my use in the days ahead.’
Would you like to impact the life of a Zidisha business owner like Twumasi? Make sure to head on over to our Browse Projects page to read about other entrepreneurs in the Zidisha community all around the world.
