Wolfpack: Thank you for taking time to talk to us. Please tell us about yourself. Who is Fred Mawuli Deegbe?
Fred: Fred Deegbe is a child of God and ambassador of humanity, who wants to do something to enhance economic development and wealth in the world...especially in Ghana and Africa. I love to eat... to play FIFA..and helping people realise their full potential. I want to make sure a lot more people are in a better place ...or at least a sense of confidence to achieve excellence before I die
Wolfpack: Did you have any role models when you were younger and do you have any now?
Fred: When I was younger I liked Will Smith, I was a huge movie head and I liked how he carried himself . Growing older I have admired Richard Branson and his insatiable hunger for innovation and impacting the world.
Wolfpack: What experiences have shaped your life?
Fred: I went to a top high school in Ghana and a top university locally. During my final year in university I was the Student Council President. It was an interesting experience balancing the demands of the students and the administration and my personal life. My first year after university I struggled to get a good 9-5 in the US and ended up doing security and waiting in a restaurant. This was an eye-opener and made me more grateful to my parents for giving me an early advantage in life. It was a humbling experience as well because a year before I was the life of the party and the next year I was the ‘eye’ of the party.
Wolfpack: What traits or values drive your personality?
Fred: I am funky..i love Ghana..I love helping people..I love God..and so everything I do has to be creative, patriotic, impactful and ethically and religiously correct with me.
Wolfpack: What are some of the challenges you face on daily basis?
Fred: A lot of Ghanaians have a poor work ethic and a dependency syndrome. I want individuals to try and approach work with a do it yourself mentality, and incorporate that with team work and professionalism. The lack of professionalism affects the quality of service and products.
Wolfpack: What will you say are your motivators?
Fred: I think about God..my unborn child, my family name and Ghana.
Wolfpack: What makes you unique as an individual?
Fred: Ummm…I am a box of chocolates and I believe everything is possible the question is how hard are you willing to work for it and how long can you wait to achieve it?
Wolfpack: Can you please tell us about some of your personal achievements and future aspirations?
Fred: Heel The World Company Limited. First impressions suggest that we are a bespoke, high-end men’s shoe company originating out of Ghana but in actuality we are more than a shoe company- we are a concept that Ghanaians are capable of doing unorthodox, world-class products and services while inculcating the act of ‘giving back’ into the company’s operations. We exist to counter perceptions of the capability and quality of Ghanaians, and also empower world-changers through whichever means we can via our HTW Foundation.
Hopefully the HTW foundation will serve as the go to people for ‘Starting your start up in Ghana’ HTW makes me know that we in Ghana can do anything so with that in mind I have several things in line besides shoes.
Wolfpack: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Fred: Ummm..video games..trips outside Ghana…sleep..health…girls…haha..Lets be real..I am 27 and so I am ‘missing out’ on some stuff but I’d like to quote a line off my favorite poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann ‘ Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth’ There is a time for everything and these are the hustling years.
I remember I got into a heated physical confrontation with someone and this is very out of character from me. But to get something you have never had you have to do something you have never done.
Wolfpack: Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?
Fred: HTW Global brand that best represents the beauty and artistry of the Ghanaian people. We will do so much more than shoes but we want to keep our audience on their toes.
Personally I want to have settled down and be consulting and investing for young entrepreneurs in Africa.
Wolfpack: What three pieces of advice would you give to an entrepreneur starting out today?
Fred: Focus- sometimes when you end up trying everything you end up doing nothing
Learn from your mistakes- when someone says no ask why not and fix the problem
Attach a social cause to your business…it will give it depth and touch people’s lives while filling your pockets too.
