Monica Addo
“No” is not a word that registers frequently in Monica Addo’s mental repository. “No, is just a lesson,” she says. “It doesn’t just end there.” Monica brings this hard-fought tenacity from her previous position in the engineering and technology sector where she was often the only woman in the room. While building Bonne Graine, Monica has met quite a few challenges, from registering her company, adjusting her product focus, and convincing international airlines to host African-made snacks, including her own. With her signature positive energy and the fierce belief that anything is possible, Monica continued to meet her goals, often while they were still moving. It was while a student, and working with rural communities in northern Ghana that she learned that fruits and vegetables were not making it to southern cities due to infrastructure and logistical problems. After losing a key business opportunity for her then nascent business due to bureaucratic delays, she applied the lessons she learned about post-harvest loss, took courses from food scientists and online classes, and developed Bonne Graine. “Go for it, don’t wait to be told,” Monica says about building a business. “If it’s a passion, don’t wait for someone.”
JUST THE STATS PLEASE
WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Accra, Ghana
WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Kumasi, Ghana
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Fufu
INSTAGRAM: achianaa and bonne.graine
TIKTOK: N/A
MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BUSINESS?
The business was registered in 2020 after COVID and was operationalized in June 2021.
WHY DID YOU START?
I started my company mainly to solve the problem of post-harvest losses.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP GOING?
I am motivated to keep going despite challenges because I have a raw passion to make something tangible out of nothing as a person, and production is on top of that passion.
WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
I wish people knew that by supporting us they are making a tremendous impact in the lives of some women in rural northern Ghana.
SELF-CARE IS SELF-LOVE
WHAT MAKES YOU AWESOME?
I'm highly positive. Highly. I don't like to be around negative people at all. Anything is possible, as long as you put your mind to it.
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
The first thing I do in the morning is to say "Thank you Jesus" then check my phone for messages.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DETOXING REGIMEN?
Drink lots of water and lemon tea.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?
I am most grateful for life and what it affords me to do.
WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU DO BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP?
The last thing I do before I go to bed is to check my phone.
RANDOM NOTES AND GOODNESS
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO HAVE FUN?
Watching Netflix is my fun zone.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE OR CORE BELIEF?
Personally, the worst thing that anyone can tell me is no. No is just a lesson, it doesn't just end there. Just go for it. The worst you can tell me is no.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Never be scared to prioritize your self-development. Add value to yourself so that when the time comes, you are not going to get ready, you are ready.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT AFRICA?
How we are surrounded by nature in its unique ways, in every African country I have visited.
WHAT FRUSTRATES YOU MOST ABOUT AFRICA?
How we've become accustomed to accepting anything and everything just because it comes from the West.