Degreebarber: Meet the son of trotro driver who dropped his degree to become a barber
- Godwin Kofi is a university graduate turned professional barber famed as Degreebarber
- The young entrepreneur graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Professional Studies (UPSA)
- Godwin Kofi told YEN.com.gh how it all started, what drives him and shared a 10-year plan aimed at establishing his new start-up as an international grooming center
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While becoming a barber was never part of his childhood dreams, Godwin Kofi, professionally known as Degreebarber, has turned out to be one of the few with a thriving business
However, unlike many, Godwin has quite a unique story. After he successfully graduated university with a degree, he shelved his certificate to start a business as a barber.
His journey to attaining a professional barber status started as a means of survival when he was still a teenager in secondary school.
From Asesewa in the Eastern region, Godwin is one of four children born to a commercial driver, and his mum, a trader.
READ ALSO: Obama: Meet the Ghanaian sculptor who designed 'perfect' statues of Stonebwoy and Asamoah Gyan
Godwin had his basic education at Ebenezer Preparatory School at Asesewa and later received his secondary education as a Business student at Akwamuman Senior High School in Akosombo.
It was at Akwamuman that he learned the skill of grooming hair which would later become a stepping stone to owning a thriving business.
While in senior high school, Godwin’s ‘school dad’ was then the campus barber, with whom he worked as an unofficial apprentice.
Godwin’s economically challenged background compelled him to secretly learn from his school dad while he served as an errand boy, swept and cleaned after the day’s job.
He had his first trial when his school dad had to work on the hair of one of his clients but was also urgently needed to attend programme and Godwin offered to help.
After he proved himself on his first test, Godwin surprised his school dad after he gave the client a clean-cut although his ‘dad’ did the final touches. His school dad encouraged him to never stop.
Despite the financial setbacks even after he completed secondary school, he enrolled at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) to study business administration.
Barbering served as a means of survival throughout his education, using proceeds from his trade to pay fees, accommodation and provide for his nutritional and health needs.
Years later, Godwin's means of survival has become a thriving business and he revealed that he is inspired by a quest to change negatives and ill perceptions people have about barbering through his business, Degreebarber.
Degreebarber isn’t his only brand. Godwin has been working to establish his other start-up, Reflect Ghana, which he aims to transform into an international grooming center in 10 years.
Godwin is hoping that his story will help change and inspire narratives that ''there’s no defined route to success but hard work and determination can make one great in whatever they do.''
In other stories, YEN.com.gh previously reported that at 14, Dorothy Jean Tillman, a brilliant young teenager who resides in Chicago, is already a graduate with two degrees to her credit.
Dorothy Jean Tillman received her bachelor's degree from Excelsior College which also graduated a 72-year-old that same day on July 13, 2018, when she was 12 years.
Prior to earning her bachelor’s degree, Tillman had already bagged an associate degree in psychology from the College of Lake County, in Grayslake, at age 10.
READ ALSO: Obama: Meet the Ghanaian sculptor who designed 'perfect' statues of Stonebwoy and Asamoah Gyan
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Source: YEN.com.gh
