This week I have the honor of speaking with Clarence Quarcoo, known by most as CQ. I met him while working at Target Canada, and we have remained friends over the last 8 years. He is a global nomad in every sense of the word. Tracing his roots to Ghana, he was born in Kenya and grew up between there and Uganda before relocating to Toronto. Today, he is a Supply Chain Director for a Fortune 500 company. He is also the Co-Founder of The Peppeh Company, a boutique creative branding firm. He is passionate about elevating brands and people, and this comes through our conversation. CQ is one of those relentless optimists, always finding the opportunity in hard times, and I hope this conversation inspires you :)
02:00 - Clarence introduces himself and we share our experience working at Target Canada and launching 120 stores in one year
[You should never be defined by what you do, you should be defined by who you are - CQ]
10:00 - How Clarence learned that Target Canada was closing, and how he approached his next steps: choosing between brand management, management consulting, and internal consulting
[I realized you can learn anything, if you put your heart into it and if you’re committed - CQ]
13:30 - Clarence explains why he chose to do the MBA program that he did, and we compare taking two years off vs. working and studying at the same time
20:40 - On his childhood as a Ghanaian who grew up in Uganda and Kenya, and how he navigates the world with his multiple identities
24:30 - How his parents influenced the way that Clarence approaches work, and how he plans for the future
29:40 - On how Peppeh Co started, and the importance of finding business partners with complementary skills
[Sometimes we say we want things but we are not willing to do what it takes to get them - CQ]
39:00 - The vision for the company,where the naming came from, and his favorite part running Peppeh
46:00 - On building relationships, and identifying the right clients at the right time
[Don’t service today at the expense of tomorrow - CQ]
48:00 - Advice to his younger self and the 5 year plan
[Continue building strong relationships and invest in people that you love - CQ]
Check out The Peppeh Company, you can also find it on Instagram
Follow Clarence on his Instagram, Twitter, and Gimme Hot Coco
Finally if you want to stay in touch of all things African podcasts, follow Africapodfest and Paula Rogo’s media company, Kali Media.
What did you think of the episode? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments, and if you liked it – share it with your friends 🙂
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In the meantime keep striving, keep thriving, and keep shining!
Michaella
#025 - Michaella Mutoni on Living a Life of Impact
#024 - Reflection on Season 1 and Roundup Best Episodes
#023 - Aissa Sur Son Amour de l’Afrique et Comment le Partager de l'Entreprise à l'Histoire
#022 - Lynda sur le Multiculturalisme: Accepter Où Nous Sommes et Qui Nous Sommes
#021 - Zuwa Matondo on Embracing Our Agency and The Courage to Act Now
#019 - Mo on Cultural Curiosity and Finding Joy in the Unexpected
#018 - Sophina Kio-Lawson on Cybersecurity and Empowering Other Young Women
#017 - Michaella Mutoni on Three Lessons Learned during The Black and Women’s History Months
#016 - Reine Kizy sur Les Moments Qui Nous Font Pivoter
#015 - Naomi Haile on Finding Your Why & Being of Service
#014 - Imanzi Kayitare on Becoming a Servant Leader
#013 - Umuruta sur Son Parcours et La Quête de Soi
#012 - Sarah Somian on Living a Slow Life with Intention
#011 - Akpe Sur l’Importance de Parler Avec d’Autres Personnes Pour Nous Guider - Part 2
#010 - Akpe sur son parcours: des études de droit au conseil en environnement, et la quête d’identité
#009 - Moses Gashirabake on How Following Your Heart Continuously Builds into Something Greater
#008 - Hiko Sur Le Fait Que Le Partage d’Expériences Peut Résoudre (presque) Tout Les Problèmes
#007 - Fiona Khaemba on Growing Anaya Arts Organically by Listening
#006 – Fabiola Mizero on Recognizing Important Moments and Leveraging Them to Build – Part 2
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