Latest / Black Business Live Podcast / Full Circle in Ghana: Purpose, Faith, and Global Trade with Ticki Favaroth & Nya Igambi

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Full Circle in Ghana: Purpose, Faith, and Global Trade with Ticki Favaroth & Nya Igambi · Black Business Live Podcast

• 0:00
  Tolu: Everybody in Ghana says, come home. It's not come to Ghana. It's come to the motherland. I've heard that word so many times. It's like, it's birthed a whole new meaning to me.
• 0:10
  Like, what the motherland means.
• 0:11
  Ticki: And when God gave me this vision in 2025, I wrestled with it. Like, what is this? This is not my core competence. I don't do this. But to see just the innovation and the brilliant from food, from agro business to fintech, to HR, to technology, it has just been like, and a lot of the things that we've solved, they're solving now for the first time.
• 0:39
  I have been very humbled by my life that I do have and the businesses that I've grown, but I have been given more inspiration to have impact, not only in The U. S, not only in my family, not only with my friends, but around the world.
• 1:02
  Tolu: It's Tolu again on the Black Business Live Podcast, and we are still in Ghana, on day two of the trade mission to Ghana Yeah. Which has been set up by the Wisdom Table Global in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Federation.
• 1:17
  Ticki: Yes.
• 1:18
  Tolu: Oh my god. It has been such an amazing two days. Yes. It's fantastic. And I'm just I'm just, it's a full circle moment for many, many reasons because only a couple of months ago, we had Ticki in our Dallas studio inviting us to come to Ghana.
• 1:35
  Ticki: Yes, and here we are.
• 1:36
  Tolu: Here we are. We made it
• 1:37
  Ticki: in one place. Made it. After many challenges. Oh, yeah. Setbacks, opposition, don't know.
• 1:45
  But God just, He did the thing. And even today with all the people and the stories and the companies, it was more than I could have ever imagined. So when you say full circle moment, it's just full circle from when we were here in February. Not yet sure if we were going to come back. And here we are.
• 2:06
  Yeah. Here we are.
• 2:07
  Tolu: I remember, you know, when you were talking originally and you were like, we're gonna have so and so number of delegates and we're like, okay, if we just get this number, that will be fine. And then we're like, we're just gonna go anyway.
• 2:17
  Nya: Yes. It's definitely been a labor of love and it's been so fulfilling to see the companies that have committed to come with us actually have those connections and those partnerships. And you can see the beginning of long term engagement with Ghana and long term engagement with businesses here. So it's just, it's almost like you're waiting for them to birth a baby and have all of their kind of dreams and visions, and maybe the dreams they never even had come to fruition. But as a African, this is really exciting to bring the diaspora, to be instrumental under the auspices of the wisdom table to to bring more diaspora home to the to the to the continent.
• 3:08
  Tolu: Yeah. Yeah. And that has been the one message I've heard currently. Everybody in Ghana says, come home. It's not come to Ghana.
• 3:16
  It's come home. Come to the motherland. I've heard that word so many times. It's like... It's it's it's it's birthed a whole new meaning to me, like, what the motherland means.
• 3:25
  Ticki, how has it been for you?
• 3:28
  Ticki: Wow. Wow. Wow is all that I can say. You know, when God gave me this vision in 2025, I wrestled with it. Like, what is this?
• 3:41
  This is not my core competence. I don't do this. And then the more it kept being cemented and cemented. And then we made the decision to come in February, do a little spy out the land kind of situation, fell in love with just the chemistry, just the authenticity, just the... There's so much possibility and hope, and we made a decision to come back.
• 4:08
  So what has it been like for me? It has been like stewarding the best opportunity you could ever have, not knowing what the return would be. It has been heartwarming to see, like literally companies after companies after companies after there's a thing that came up, so I have been taking note. But to see just the innovation and the brilliance from food, from agro business to fintech, to HR, to technology, it has just been like... And a lot of the things that we've solved, they're solving now for the first time.
• 4:47
  And so I have been very humbled by my life that I do have and the businesses that I've grown, but I have been given more inspiration to have impact, not only in The US, not only in my family, not only with my friends, but around the world. And that's why Wisdom Table Global was built. So how I feel. And hopefully it shows, even at the end of a long day, I still have more energy. Even with the deli, it's like last night at dinner and just the prayer and just the sowing into each other and your family.
• 5:25
  It's just been amazing.
• 5:27
  Tolu: Amazing. Talking about family Naya, how about yourself? Because I know you've been with Ticki all along the journey on this. It's like, there's no Ticki without Naya in this situation.
• 5:38
  Nya: Yeah we do pair up very well and I enjoy that we're able to support and stretch and grow each other. And while I had been to West Africa before, it's been refreshing to kind of see this through new eyes. And like I said, and not coming alone in this journey. You know, they say if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, you go together. And that is evident by not only Ticki acting on her vision, acting on her calling, but it's also the companies that have trusted us to say, we're coming with you because we believe in your vision, we believe in the future, we believe in what's possible, and we're willing to take that risk.
• 6:30
  So I'm just overjoyed, and like I said, I'm excited to see what comes Yeah.
• 6:35
  Tolu: Yes. And I was telling you earlier about two striking things for me. One was when doctor Cheryl was speaking, and I'll tell you why. Because I I I went to school in Nigeria. So I I did part of my education in Nigeria, part of it in The UK.
• 6:46
  And I remember when I moved to The UK for the first time, I was so excited to tell everyone about how beautiful Africa was and the diversity and the culture and the food. And I spent so much energy trying to educate about Africa. Right? And then somehow you just get lost in the ether and then just... You almost forget who you are.
• 7:03
  You're just like, I'm just a person. I don't even know. You know, I know I'm African, of course, by birth, but, you know, I've got to lead in different parts of the world. When I moved to The States, which is about six years ago, it was a question in my heart. And it was like, why do...
• 7:20
  Why The States? We're supposed to be living in The UK. It was the husband who made that decision. He wasn't moving and then we all had to come over. And I questioned and then I asked God why?
• 7:31
  Because we're doing pretty well in The UK anyway. But you know what? When Doctor Cheryl started talking, it was a confirmation as to why. Because if I hadn't come to The States, I would never have been in that boat. I would never have met Ticki.
• 7:46
  Right.
• 7:49
  Ticki: When you first got there, you just moved there. I did. Yes.
• 7:52
  Tolu: Yes. And look at that. Look, it took God five years. Yes. Oh, to bring all that Pieces together.
• 8:00
  All the pieces together. I would never have started the podcast. Doctor Cheryl would not have come on the show. You know, all these things just happened all orchestrated by God, not with any planning whatsoever. And and then I'm like, that was the full circle moment for me because when she said, when I came to Africa, I knew I belonged there.
• 8:19
  And I'm like, I wouldn't... It shouldn't come when I didn't know her. It wouldn't make any difference. But the fact that she was singing and I was in the room I had come with a US delegation. Right.
• 8:30
  Right. It was like...
• 8:32
  Ticki: And to capture from the lens of multiple lenses, capture the authentic voices of the Ghanaians, of The U. S. Delegation, of Cheryl. Your voice. I mean, that is just awesome.
• 8:46
  And the interesting part is my podcast has not aired because we wanted to wait until all of this was settled. So people don't even know all of the I backstory of how we got
• 8:58
  Tolu: can't wait to hear it.
• 9:00
  Ticki: It's so funny, Tolu is like, We're going send this out. I'm like, Hold on, God is saying wait. God is saying wait. She's like, I'm gonna do this snippet. God saying wait.
• 9:10
  God is saying... She's like, What is going on? I was like, God is saying wait. But now it will all make sense because not everything has to be said in public. Sometimes you can just see the victory of it and not journey to get there.
• 9:27
  And so can't wait till the two things collide together.
• 9:30
  Tolu: Oh, Yeah. But you see, that's how God works sometimes. It's the Abraham story. It just texts, go to the land. Cut up.
• 9:38
  I'm a show you. Go.
• 9:40
  Ticki: Is it here? Are we there yet? No. No. Keep going.
• 9:45
  Is it here? No. Yeah. Amazing, isn't it?
• 9:48
  Tolu: Wow, so I'll wrap up with a couple of questions, one for Ticki and then for Niall. Ticki, what is God saying next?
• 10:00
  Ticki: Well, interesting enough, before we came, I spent some time in prayer and prayed with the team. And just for what I heard from here, I'm going to just say it, but I'm not really sure. I think this next is in Kenya or in Lagos or in Mauritius or in Nigeria or in any part of Africa where we can breathe in hope and a new life. But also to what is next is taking every company we met here, that we've inspired hope, to not leave them hanging and to give them some direction, even if you have to call each one and say, Not focus here today, but let me give you some insight. Let me give you some wisdom.
• 10:51
  Let's make a connection across the globe. Because now I have the Black Book to do that, the Bow Book to do that, and just other relationships. Just here today, individuals pitching and meeting. So what is next? I'm going to sit in this, get ready for the next adventure, and then close out what we started here.
• 11:11
  Yes, yes, yes.
• 11:13
  Tolu: Exciting. So exciting. I'll throw this one to Naya because I then I'll back to see you warm more time. Yes. But what do we expect from the next few days?
• 11:24
  Nya: Wow, wow, wow. Borrowing Ticki's words, wow, wow, wow. So we wanted to fill this delegation with hope, with energy, and possibilities. But more importantly, we wanted to make sure that the delegates had ample connections to take the next step. So tomorrow, we will participate in the Ghana Investment and Trade Week, and that actually was the linchpin for this delegation and why we decided to do it at this time.
• 12:00
  And so we'll, you know, visit all the booths, but more importantly, we will have one on one meetings there. And then the rest of the week is following up with meetings we had here today in addition to some more government and private sector meetings. So we're excited to visit the office Diaspora Office of the President, as well as have one more meeting. Office of the President of
• 12:24
  Ticki: the Chief of Staff.
• 12:25
  Tolu: As Chief of Staff.
• 12:26
  Nya: Okay. Thank you. And so, and then just tying it all in a bow, bow, we plan to really debrief amongst ourselves so that we all have a clear strategy and plan for the next steps when we get home. Because we know life will be life ing when we get back. It's on pause this week, but then we have to get back to our real life.
• 12:52
  But we have a clear plan and a clear strategy for going forward, not letting the hope die, keeping the conversations going, and how can we support each other in the advancement and the investment of doing business in Africa, but getting back to the motherland, as you said. Thank you so much. Yes.
• 13:16
  Tolu: Thank you. Well, wanna, first of all, before we round, thank you both. Thank Naya and Ticki for just believing. Because at some point I'm like, you listen, you make it better happen? But it did.
• 13:26
  It did. It did. Just because of your faith and
• 13:29
  Nya: Better than we anticipated.
• 13:30
  Ticki: Yeah.
• 13:31
  Nya: Better than we anticipated. Better than Excited.
• 13:33
  Tolu: So thank you so much for just holding that torch. And and as my final question would be, if there's anyone out there who is not part of this delegation but it's somewhere in the ether in The US and The UK, Barbados, wherever, What is that one thing you'd like to Ticki? What's that one thing you'd like to tell them that they didn't take?
• 13:54
  Ticki: Well, the one thing I'd like to say is nothing beats a failure but a try. And there was a story used by His Royal Highness today, or Seth, that talked about there was a guy on a boat who was mending the nets. Mhmm. And you have to be able to put your net in the water for the catch. And I have to go back and look at the exact notes.
• 14:18
  So what I would say to you is that, one, I'd love to be your architect and guide as we travel around Africa and begin to have a business delegation. Love for you to sign up, meet me, come to the next one, or try it on your own, or get a couple of folks together. We can make the connections. But then finally, I would say that God is asking you to do something that is bigger than yourself. And when you hear that prompting, do it.
• 14:49
  And so I just thank you for all the ups and downs, ins and outs. Your team come in, did an amazing job. Your family, amazing job. And so I'd like to say, because you're always the host that's hosting, how are you feeling about being here and all the people you've met? And what's next for Black Business Live Podcast in the Ghana series?
• 15:16
  Tolu: In the Ghana series. Honestly, I... It's the Abraham's journey journey for me. Honestly, it's it's big... It's bigger than what I can think of.
• 15:24
  I... A year ago, I didn't think of being Ghana. Right? I just thought, okay. Black Business Live Podcast will amplify the stories.
• 15:32
  Look at us now talking about international trade. Yes. So so the first thing for me would be to take this message out there. You know, the Ghanaian people have said it very clearly, come back to the motherland. I'm not Ghanaian, but I was taught by my Ghanaian teachers up until fifth grade.
• 15:48
  Okay. Yeah, up until sixth grade. Wow. I was taught by Ghanaian teachers. My math and English, the reason I'm so good at math, I was good at math and English in school because of the Ghanaian.
• 15:56
  Wow! Full circle. So it's full circle. Right. So you...
• 16:00
  And then when they say come back to the motherland, it resonates very strongly with me. So the first thing is to amplify what does work, amplify it and also amplify Africa. I've been in Africa now for three weeks. Was in Nigeria. I was in Lagos and I'm here in Ghana.
• 16:15
  You can see all the development and variety like, my god, we're missing out. Yes. And so, so the podcasts definitely will be will be doing a lot of Africa, well, full... Fully fully... Fully fully year round with Yes.
• 16:31
  That in Africa because there is so much here. Yes. There is so much here. And, obviously, amplifying that work, amplifying the mission, amplifying the opportunities and helping businesses to see that as well. So so so it's not just Black Business Live in in in Europe or in in The US, it's Black Business Live Global.
• 16:49
  Global. So so that's it. That's it. Looking forward to
• 16:53
  Ticki: that. Yes. That's it. Yes. And I have to send you a picture of this amazing dress from Lagos that I was negotiating while she was there.
• 17:02
  That is how commerce is moving.
• 17:04
  Nya: That's Yes, indeed. We're like, Videos.
• 17:07
  Tolu: Videos, that's it. And connecting people,
• 17:10
  Ticki: you know?
• 17:10
  Tolu: Edwin, you got a dress and I didn't get a dress?
• 17:12
  Ticki: She didn't get the dress She on tried it on and she's like, Wait, this is a little too tight. And I was well, you know, I got extra. So if it fits tight on you, it's gonna fit.
• 17:22
  Tolu: Yeah. No. And I should give a shout out to the shop. It's Irole Lagos. And I was out there in Icoee visiting her shop and she was very nice and gracious and allowed me to try out a few things and so thank you so much, Igambi Oligos, for for having us and allowing me to video all yours and everything.
• 17:43
  Ticki: Candles, chairs, Yes, indeed. It was fun. It was fun.
• 17:48
  Tolu: That's it. International commerce. You open up places that would never otherwise happen.
• 17:54
  Ticki: That's why we're here. Yes. And if you want to give something to our delegates, next time we'd love to connect with you and have your products in our bags just so that we can seek you out. So let's do it. Yeah.
• 18:05
  Let's do it.
• 18:06
  Tolu: Well, thank you, ladies. It's big fun. Thank you
• 18:09
  Nya: so much. Thank you.
• 18:11
  Tolu: Thank you. So it's Tolu and it's Ticki and it's Naya.
• 18:14
  Ticki: And this is the Ghana.
• 18:16
  Tolu: Business live podcast in Ghana with the Wisdom Table Global.
• 18:21
  Ticki: Yes. Yes.