Connect with us

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

How the founder of Caveman Watches, Anthony Dzamefe built his business

Published

on

Anthony Dzamefe

went from hawking replica watches on the streets of Accra to building his own brand of timepieces. Dzamefe spoke with James Torvaney about growing and the challenges he has faced in establishing a manufacturing operation from the ground up.

You quite literally started your entrepreneurial journey ‘on the streets'. Explain how you got involved in the watch industry.

To be honest I got into watches by accident – before 2015 I had never even owned a watch. I was working for a hotel in Accra, holding up name cards for passengers arriving at the airport, earning around $80 per month. It wasn't a good job, and I knew I needed to find another opportunity or face being stuck there for years.

There was a boutique across the road from me – I started taking photos of their watches and advertising them on social media with an added markup. When someone bought an item, I would go and buy it from the boutique, and keep a part of the sales price. This arrangement worked well at first but wasn't very scalable, so I began talking directly to the people supplying the boutiques – the ones importing replica watches from China. I started with one watch, then two, then three. Every time I sold a watch I used the money to buy more watches.

I was selling watches in car parks and on university campuses. I got a lot of ridicule from friends and family. People said it wasn't a respectable trade. Even my colleagues at the airport said it was better to stay there. My mother had found me a job at a bank, which I didn't want to take. I had to promise her that if things didn't work out after one year, I would go back and try the banking job.

As I sold more and more watches, I started looking for opportunities to add more value, and to take over more of the value chain. I researched the original manufacturers and started ordering directly from China. I studied the watch repairers on the roadside, so I could offer additional services to my existing customers. And I spent two months working as an apprentice to a cobbler, learning how to work leather as I had noticed that a lot of customers had nice watches but poor straps. All these helped me to hone my knowledge and build a reputation as an expert in watches.

At what point did you decide to move from trading and repairing watches to starting Caveman as its own brand? Was it a difficult move to make?

In 2018 I started wondering what would it be like to have my own brand.

People spend a lot of money on watches in Ghana, more so than other countries, but it is mostly on imported replicas. There weren't any high-quality watches being made in Ghana itself.

To understand the production process, I broke down other watches into their individual components, then looked to see which local factories could make each part. I'd spent so much time working with watches over the previous three years that I knew the watches inside out, I knew which parts tended to wear out quickly and which parts needed to be stronger.

Ultimately, I didn't see starting my own brand as being a large risk because I had spent years building up my customer database and understanding my customers and the market. So when I did start, I was confident I would hit the ground running.

I put together a business plan and started pitching for investment. I got my hopes up a number of times but eventually it all came to nothing, so I thought why not just self finance? I took everything I had earnt to that point to make an initial 50 watches, which was the smallest possible run given our suppliers' minimum orders. This was the original Blue Volta watch, which we pitched at a low price of 250 cedis (around $40) so that I could recoup my investment quickly and invest in the next, bigger, run of watches.

Do you manufacture all your watches in Ghana? How do you manage competing with mass-produced goods coming from East Asia and other areas?

Yes, we assemble all our watches here in Accra, and we source individual components from local suppliers where we can. People can come and order bespoke details such as personalised engravings or different coloured dials, and can actually see them getting made in the workshop at the back of the shop.

Even in Accra, there is still this perception that items made locally are of inferior quality to international brands. When I started, I purposefully didn't talk about our watches being Made in Ghana – I simply referred to us being a Ghanaian brand. It also helped that I had been in the business for a number of years and people trusted me and knew that I would deliver good quality.

Caveman has recently received a lot of media attention, including an article in the New York Times, as well as endorsements from influencers and celebrities in Ghana and Nigeria. What is the key to your branding successes?

From when I started, I was always keen to build a brand and product that could be sold globally – not just in Ghana. The last few years, there has been a huge wave of interest in African brands both domestically and globally, and we have timed things well there. I think the revolution began with Black Panther, back in 2018 – that was when Africa really began to be ‘cool'.

The core of our marketing strategy has always been reputation and word-of-mouth. We are an aspirational brand, and we want the entire customer experience to feel premium. You'll see on our Instagram and website we have slick imagery and visuals, and we take care to package our items beautifully. We also work with a number of brand ambassadors including [music mogul] Don Jazzy, and we have made watches for the likes of Nana Akufo-Addo, Akon and Sarkodie among others. More recently we have started doing traditional PR work and strategic billboards as well.

How did you come up with the Caveman name?

When I started making watches, I would stay at home for days at a time and never see sunlight. People would joke about it. One day I caught a documentary about the pyramids, and I was fascinated by their hieroglyphics and how even today modern science can't fully explain how they built these complex structures with such accuracy. This was where I came up with the Caveman name – I wanted something that stood for durability, originality, and quality craftsmanship.

What are your future plans for the Caveman brand?

At the moment there is demand for many more watches than we are able to produce. Importing machinery is still very expensive, so everything is being hand-made. I'd like to automate and mechanise more of our production line so that we are able to reach more customers.

In terms of sales, we still sell the majority of our watches directly to our customers, and 90% of our customers are in Ghana. We have a lot of interest from customers and distributors abroad and we are hoping to open up an international branch – either in South Africa or Nigeria – later this year.

Whilst our midmarket models [such as the Blue Volta, starting at 450 cedis ($80)] remain popular, the majority of our growth is coming from our higher-priced models priced around 1,000 cedis ($180) and above, and that is where our focus is at the moment.

James Torvaney is a business consultant and financial advisor specialising in West Africa. He has worked with clients across a number of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, consumer goods and hospitality.

Samuel Amadotor, known professionally as D.Klass GH is Multiple Award Winning Ghanaian Blogger, Music Promoter, Publicist, Pharmacy Technician by Profession and the Founder of Dklassgh.Com. He has an interest in promoting Up and coming artists and has a keen interest in showcasing the talents in Volta Region. His blogging covers international artists and has affiliates around Africa to boost his reach to the targeted audience. Get In Touch if you need my service | Email: [email protected]| Call/whatsapp: 0241 444 116 Or connect with me across social media handles, @Dklassgh

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

KO7’s Name Appears In A Class Project For Ghana Institute Of Journalism(GIJ)

Published

on

KO7

Ghanaian Eastern Regions fast uprising musician, 's name has again appeared in a Ghanaian Institute Journalism school project.

 's name this time around appeared in a journalism school project on the end of second-semester exams of level 200 students studying Journalism at Ghana Institute Of Journalism.

The students were asked to produce a new paper article as their project work with stories from Current Affairs, Sports, Current Affairs and Entertainment.

KO7
KO7

GET TO KNOW ABOUT KO7

John Nkansah, popularly known as KO7 , is a fast-rising artist from Kwahu Obomeng in the Eastern Region of Ghana, With his unique blend of highlife and afrobeat, he has quickly become a fan favorite in the region and beyond.

  KO7 Music started his music career in 2013 and has been on a steady rise ever since. He caught the attention of music lovers in the region with his hit song “Ya Socketti” in 2019, which showcased his catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.

 In 2019, KO7 Music won the Eastern Music Awards Best Collaboration of the Year award, and this served as a stepping stone for him to gain more recognition in the industry. He has also won the Kwahu Music Awards Artist of the Year in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Eastern Music Awards Artiste of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

 Some of KO7 Music's notable songs include “Gaza,” “Na Who,” “Style Biaabi,” and “Ya Socketti.” He also released a song titled “All Stars” in 2021, which featured all the top artists in Kwahu. This song served as a testament to his ability to bring artists together and create a hit song.

 Apart from his music, KO7 Music is also known for his philanthropic works in the community. He has used his platform to support various initiatives, including providing scholarships to students in his hometown and supporting the construction of a community library. KO7 Music has featured a lot of top artists on his songs such as Fameye, Obibini, Epixode, Luther now Luta GH, and many other top artists.

KO7 Music is a rising star in the Ghanaian music industry, and his talent and hard work have earned him a loyal fan base. With his unique sound and dedication to his craft, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a household name in Ghana and beyond.

 KO7 Music's hard work and dedication to his craft have paid off, and he has worked with various record labels such as Sent One Records, Wireless Moni Crew, and Team Success Entertainment. He is currently signed under 7Muzik record label and has been making waves with his latest song titled ‘No Fake' and enjoying good streaming numbers in the digital space.

Song Via Link Below

BOOMPLAY

https://www.boomplay.com/songs/127066803?srModel=COPYLINK&srList=WEB

AUDIOMACK

YOUTUBE

 2023 shows played by Ko7

1. OBOUBA FM EASTER AKWAABA BASH

2. ADOM FM KWAHU EASTER

3. AFC

4. Ghana tertiary excellence awards

5. Ko7 Accra invation  annual show organized by Team Ko7

6. Eastern music festival

7. The trap bars lunch

8. Eastern Music awards

9. XSSENCE party

10. Ponobiom & friends pool party.

11. Ghana talk radio street carnival

 2024

1.       Poum fest

2.       Rep your jersey pool party

3.       Kwahu music awards

4.       Adom Kwahu Easter(in March).

PR STORY BY : ZOLLA NIE

PR & MARKETING COMMS EXEC,

FOUNDER LIVENEWSGH

Continue Reading

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Jonilar Urges Ghanaian creatives to watch industry trends

Published

on

Jonilar Urges Social Media Platforms to Revamp Copyright Policies and Fairly Compensate ContentCreators

Ghanaian digital music expert  known in real life Jonathan Nii Laryea  has stressed the importance of understanding industry standards, pointing out that many talented creatives struggle due to a lack of awareness about some of the key aspects that could determine their success.


, who doubles as Ghana country director and brand ambassador for Uganda-based aggregator Omziki, made this known while speaking at the second edition of the Digital Music Education Seminar held on 23 March at the Okumah Executive Lodge in the Bono East region of Ghana.


The seminar, running under the theme bridging the Gap between Music Education and the Industry, sought to equip musicians and creatives with essential knowledge about the music industry.


Other speakers for the event included health professional and MC Yaw Ampofo Adomako, public relations expert Isaac Sosito, as well as broadcasters Gideon Kwame Sarkodie and Bretuoba Kwabena.


Jonilar noted that instead of solely relying on social media for support, musicians should invest in learning how to establish connections within the industry. He further urged local media to prioritise crafting radio content that educates creatives and reiterated his call from last year's event to the government and other stakeholders to invest in digital music incubator programmes in junior and senior high schools nationwide.

At last year's seminar,Jonilar also proposed a one-year tax break for media and influencers promoting arts, music, and tourism to bolster Ghana's creative and cultural sectors.


Ampofo, meanwhile, emphasised the significance of mental wellness for creatives,
highlighting its role in preventing unforeseen consequences, while Kwame Sarkodie advised musicians to cultivate business relationships with media professionals to enhance their visibility on radio. Sosito underscored the importance of improving communication skills and seeking professional assistance in managing one's brand. 


Speaking to Music In Africa, Jonilar said the event “has been very impactful,” adding that he was excited about the turnout. “It shows the zeal and level of commitment by musicians and creatives here to learning new ways they can advance their careers.”

Story; Gabriel Myers Hansen

Continue Reading

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah Call For “Change” In Powerful New Single 

Published

on

Michael Adjetey

In their latest musical collaboration, Michael Adjetey and have taken a bold step to address issues in African society. Their new song, titled ‘Change,' serves as a powerful call to action, urging Africans and Ghanaians to demand accountability from their political leaders. The artists emphasize that the failures of corrupt politicians should not be tolerated or excused, and instead advocate for a collective effort towards positive change.

At a time when corruption and political misconduct continue to hinder progress in many African nations, ‘Change' serves as a much-needed anthem for disillusioned citizens. Michael Adjetey and deliver an empowering message, encouraging Africans to take a stand against the rampant corruption that has plagued their societies for far too long. Through their lyrics, the artists emphasize the importance of holding politicians accountable and demanding transparency in governance.

The song ‘Change' highlights the artists' frustration with the lack of development and progress resulting from the actions of corrupt politicians. Michael and Ebenezer's lyrics convey a sense of disappointment, as they express the belief that Africans and Ghanaians deserve better leadership. They emphasize that the failures of politicians should not be an excuse for the stagnation of their countries; instead, it should be a catalyst for change and collective action.

‘Change' by Michael Adjetey and Ebenezer Okrah serves as a rallying cry for Africans and Ghanaians to address the issue of corruption in their respective countries. Through their powerful lyrics, the artists urge citizens to hold their leaders accountable and work towards achieving a brighter future. This song has the potential to inspire a collective movement towards positive change, empowering individuals to actively participate in shaping the destiny of their nations.

Ebenezer and Michael believe in hard work. However, they also affirm the believe that without God, nothing is impossible. They implore society in general to change from iniquities to holiness, for what shall it profit a man/woman, if you gain the whole world but lose your soul. “Change” is a clarion call for salvation, not only to the politicians, but to all humanity. So, going forward, if we say “OPUTUNUU”, you say “WA MA TSA K3 MI”. We've got to change inside y'all. Change MUST Come.  

Audio Link : https://ditto.fm/eochange

Youtube

Recommended

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Our Facebook

___________________________________________________

Enjoy reading our stories? Join Dklassgh.Com’s Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

Are you a musician Who needs Publicity or Promotion of your Music for fans to access it here online. Call or WhatsApp Us Now on +233241444116 .

You can follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest & YouTube and Google News

Advertisement

Trending