Being unemployed after school or after one’s National Service can be one of the most depressive and devastating moments in one’s life. It, however, offers an opportunity for many individuals to pursue an entrepreneurial dream. This is the case of Reginald Allotey-Pappoe
The entrepreneurial journey of Reginald Allotey-Pappoe
How it began
Reginald had been unemployed for over two years after completing his National Service. Despite the numerous applications he sent out, there was no sign of landing a job. After years of frustration, Reginald decided to start a business. Through research and trials, Reginald together with his partner, Maria, finally settled on manufacturing 100% fruit juice.
“I applied to so many places and no one was even calling me for an interview. So, after two and half years, I got very frustrated and therefore decided to start a company. I spoke to my partner about it and we considered a few options. Around 2017, we decided that juice was the best business for us and we decided to go ahead with it,” Reginald said in an interview.
At the time, there was saturation in the fruit juice manufacturing business, as a result of an upsurge in new market players. Reginald, however, believed that he could penetrate the market and make waves with his brand: “Reggie’s Juice Bar.”
His entrepreneurial journey- The outcome
Reginald together with his partner Maria, and with the needed capital from family and friends, began manufacturing fruit juice from his mother’s kitchen with just a little juicer
Through perseverance, determination, and hard work, Reginald managed to penetrate the market and cement his place as one of the finest fruit juice companies in the country.
“We decided we were going to produce 100% fruit juice which was undiluted, without preservatives, sugars, and additives. We also focused on producing fruit juice under hygienic conditions that will appeal to customers on the market,” he said in an interview.
“In the beginning, it was very challenging, it was very difficult especially when it came to selling the juice. We will go to one of the very popular estates around Spintex and we will try to sell it by knocking on people’s doors. It was very discouraging because 9 out of 10 times, no one will even offer to taste the juice or more so buy it. Sometimes, you make one sale in a day, you look at the money and you are just not excited about the job anymore,” he further added.
He rode on his journey with encouraging words from his parents. They made it clear to him that the start of every business comes with challenges, and that through perseverance and hard work, “you will find the silver lining.”
Heeding his parent’s words, Reginald kept on moving. He kept knocking on doors and leveraged social media to get his brand out. As time will have it, Reginald soon began to realize an increase in his customer base and an upward trend in sales.
From production in his mother’s kitchen, Reginald now has a production facility that produces an estimated 1,500 bottles a day.
The vision for Reginald’s brand is to become “the best juice manufacturing company in Ghana.”
