Help Me Study Business in Ghana
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$315 raised of
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My name is Chelsea Bertrand-Edwards. I'm 32, a mom of two, and co-owner of Trap Fruit Candy Co., Charlotte’s Exotic Candylady-CornerStore-Bodega. Almost 4 years ago, my husband & I took a leap and opened our doors & since I've learned more about running a business than any textbook could teach me. From marketing, inventory management, customer service, payroll and more. Most days, I'm figuring it out as I go.
That's exactly why I went back to school at Johnson C. Smith University to finish my business degree. Not because I need permission to run my business but because I see the gap. There's what they teach you in the classroom, and then there's what actually happens when you're trying to keep the lights on and grow something meaningful. I want to understand both sides so I can grow a sustainable business that employs my community and eventually teach and mentor young entrepreneurs who are trying to build something from nothing.
This March, I have a chance to study abroad in Ghana for nine days. We'll visit the University of Ghana, tour innovation hubs, sit down with local entrepreneurs, and learn how they build and sustain businesses in a completely different context. I'll get to see African business models up close, understand how culture shapes commerce, and build real connections that could help me bring authentic African products into our store. This isn't tourism, it's education that I can immediately apply to my business and eventually pass on to the students I hope to teach.
But here's the truth: affording this trip while managing a small business, tuition, and raising two kids is a stretch. Between airfare from Charlotte to Accra, accommodations, program fees, meals, required vaccinations, visa fees, and all the educational activities in March, I need support to make this happen. I'm asking for help to make this investment in my education and in everyone I'll be able to teach and mentor because of what I learn there. If you can contribute, share this campaign, or even just send some encouragement, I'm grateful. Thank you for believing in this journey with me.
With gratitude,
Chelsea Bertrand
Co-owner, Trap Fruit Candy Co.
Business Student, Johnson C. Smith University
That's exactly why I went back to school at Johnson C. Smith University to finish my business degree. Not because I need permission to run my business but because I see the gap. There's what they teach you in the classroom, and then there's what actually happens when you're trying to keep the lights on and grow something meaningful. I want to understand both sides so I can grow a sustainable business that employs my community and eventually teach and mentor young entrepreneurs who are trying to build something from nothing.
This March, I have a chance to study abroad in Ghana for nine days. We'll visit the University of Ghana, tour innovation hubs, sit down with local entrepreneurs, and learn how they build and sustain businesses in a completely different context. I'll get to see African business models up close, understand how culture shapes commerce, and build real connections that could help me bring authentic African products into our store. This isn't tourism, it's education that I can immediately apply to my business and eventually pass on to the students I hope to teach.
But here's the truth: affording this trip while managing a small business, tuition, and raising two kids is a stretch. Between airfare from Charlotte to Accra, accommodations, program fees, meals, required vaccinations, visa fees, and all the educational activities in March, I need support to make this happen. I'm asking for help to make this investment in my education and in everyone I'll be able to teach and mentor because of what I learn there. If you can contribute, share this campaign, or even just send some encouragement, I'm grateful. Thank you for believing in this journey with me.
With gratitude,
Chelsea Bertrand
Co-owner, Trap Fruit Candy Co.
Business Student, Johnson C. Smith University
Organizer
