Could you kindly introduce yourself?

Atakorah Benjamin is my name and I am a graphic designer and a web developer with a UI/UX design background based in Accra. I’m passionate about design with the ambition to design hyper-captivating graphics to solve problems and advertise brands.

Tell us all about Clarion GH and what you do?

Clarion GH is all about creating visual communication materials for our clients such as logos, marketing materials and advertising. We work with our clients to identify business objectives, create strategies and implement them with a range of design, advertising & branding.

How long have you been running this business?

 Clarion GH has been in existence for 6 months now.

What gave you the idea for Clarion GH?

Well basically, the idea that spawned Clarion GH was initiated when I showed my partner, Ibrahim, some of my works and he also had much interest in it. We realized we had the potential to create and develop people’s idea into reality.

Clarion is an abbreviation which stands for

• CLARITY

• PASSION

• PERFECTION

So I got the CLA from the clarity. Clarity with work makes it transparent and open. I also got the ION from passion and perfection. With what we do being a passion, it’s not just because we payed and learnt how these are done but anything as a passion is done with all our heart. And perfection in this sense is working without any mistakes and rectifying them if they do occur.

Did you tell people about your idea? How did they receive it?

So upon sharing the idea with a friend, he insisted it was a good idea. And through the motivation and belief of my mentor and my brother, it was well received.

What kind of market did you have in mind for your services?

We actually targeted small business start ups  that lack a digital presence or want to improve their presence through effective social media branding.

How difficult was it to start?

It was a difficult journey because I was by then an intern for a reputable company which kept me busy with the projects I was working on. My business partner was also occupied at where he was working. And also due to competition from agencies already in the industry, it was difficult to decide whether to go through with it or not.

What challenges do you face on a day-to-day basis?

Not being able to find the best inspiration for any design.

What has been the worst experience of running your business?

Not getting the financial aid to add up some necessary tools to help build our productivity or add up to the skills we have already acquired.

What has been the best experience?

Getting to know how challenging design is and converting ideas into visuals to solve problems.

How do you market your business?

Through our social media platforms (Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook) as well as our website. We also share branded materials.

What has the response to Clarion GH been so far?

It’s been quite amazing for people to even love what we do and give positive feedback to keep us motivated.

Do you have any employees? What does someone have to do to work with you?

I have employees. I look at what you can produce to meet the business standard but not the certificate you have. Because there are creative people out there with no degree but that are good in the practical aspect. And creativity is all they need to get the platform to unleash it.

How does entrepreneurship compare to a regular job?

As an entrepreneur you have the incomparable thrill of freedom. The money you make as an entrepreneur is based entirely on your hard work. Every cedi you make is equal to the time and effort you have put into your career. This feeling cannot even compare to the small bonuses you get over time with job promotions.

What can government do to help young entrepreneurs?

• Enforce strong intellectual property laws.
• Simplify tax laws.
• Streamline business registration.
• Looking into emphasizing practical aspects over theory in schools.
• Creating platforms that would allow young entrepreneurs to showcase amazing ideas to help the country improve.

Any advice to other entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs?

• Make the time to do market research and really listen closely to your ideal client’s needs.
• Put in the hard work.
• Mold the life you want for yourself.
•  Learn with a team.
•  Focus on what makes you thrive.

How can someone get your services?

You can contact us through our social media platforms on Instagram [@clariongh] and Facebook  [clarionGhan].

Anything else you’d like to share?

Never ever give up on something you started that you had passion for no matter the number of times you failed. Get better and do it again.

Thank you!