Ghanaian actress and entrepreneur Beverly Afaglo has shared how perseverance turned her small Shawarma business, Traffic Shawarma, into a growing enterprise despite major setbacks.
Speaking to Irene Adubea Aning on The Career Trail program, she revealed that the decision to start her business coincided with one of the most devastating moments of her life—the loss of her home to a fire.
Beverly recounted how her love for Shawarma began during a trip to Lagos, where she was captivated by its rich flavors and quality. She was determined to introduce the same experience to Ghana after being unimpressed by what was available locally.
“Anytime I visited Lagos, the Shawarma I ate, from different places, was always amazing. I wanted to bring that standard to Ghana because the ones I had here were disappointing,” she shared.
However, before she could fully establish her business, tragedy struck. A fire razed her home, destroying everything, including the items she had started gathering for her new venture.
“I didn’t even have capital yet. All I had was a list, and I was buying things bit by bit. Then, suddenly, I lost my home, and everything was gone. My life had to start all over again,” she recalled.
Despite the setback, she was determined to push forward. She secured a chef from Nigeria to help set up the business, but new challenges emerged. The chef quit his job, forcing her to rent a four-room apartment to accommodate him and proceed with her plan, even though she wasn’t fully prepared.
Starting in a small six-foot container, Beverly and her team spent time perfecting recipes and conducting taste tests with friends. Eventually, Traffic Shawarma was born.
But the road wasn’t smooth. Beverly faced difficulties with her Nigerian chef, and after six months, she had to let him go, even though the timing was far from ideal.
“I had no choice but to let him go. It wasn’t the right time, but I had to make that decision,” she said.
The challenges made her consider shutting down the business. However, her team convinced her otherwise, urging her to train someone new to keep Traffic Shawarma running.
“I was ready to give up, but my team wouldn’t let me. They said, ‘We are not shutting down. You know how to do this—let’s train someone,’” she revealed.
Determined not to let her vision die, Beverly closed the business for two weeks to train a Ghanaian recruit in the recipes and processes since the previous chef had not trained anyone.
“For those who remember, Traffic Shawarma was closed for two weeks in Tema. That was when we focused on training a new person,” she noted.
With resilience and teamwork, they perfected the recipe and successfully reopened. Today, Traffic Shawarma has expanded from a small container into five branches, offering a variety of meals, including burgers. The brand has also launched a franchise, creating opportunities for others.
Beverly encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to remain steadfast in their pursuits, even when faced with adversity.
“Don’t give up. Don’t back down. When you refuse to stop, that’s when you win. It’s tough when you invest money and don’t see immediate returns. It’s hard when you put in work and don’t get the support. But trust me, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep going,” she advised.
Meanwhile, this Saturday, March 29, actress and entrepreneur Yvonne Nelson will share her journey on The Career Trail. Make a date.
