We had the good fortune of connecting with Abenaa Adjei and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abenaa, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I see risk-taking as a spectrum. On one end of the spectrum you have the risk-adverse, and on the other end you have the aficionados. I used to be risk-adverse, but over time I have gradually dialed it up and currently reside comfortably in the middle. The risks I take are approached with a cautious disposition, but I’m still challenging myself to try new things and get comfortable failing rather than not trying at all. 

I recently launched an eCommerce store for my Clothing brand, BASICS et al (www.basicsetal.com). Launching a business in the middle of a pandemic, now THAT is the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. It is very much a bootstrapped business and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I approached this venture with a “why not” mentality. I’m my own worst critic sometimes and can always come up with reasons not to try something new. But before I took this plunge, I told myself, WHY NOT? If I fail, the lessons learned will catapult me into my next venture. Two months later, BASICS et al went live!

If you want to follow along in my journey, you can do so on my YouTube channel! From taking my own product shots, editing, sourcing vendors, branding, website design, marketing, fulfillment, the list goes on and on. All are done in house! I’m looking forward to learning more and seeing where I can take my brand. 

Ultimately, my approach to risk is taking incremental baby steps in the direction I want to go. Day to day, week to week and month over month, those baby steps are gradually becoming leaps. But it’s all about that first baby step. 

What I’ve learned about myself is that once I’ve made a decision, I go full speed ahead and it gets done. I’ve been bitten by the risk-taking bug. I hear it’s pretty contagious, and I love it! 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Professionally, in my “traditional career”, I am currently an Independent Consultant focused on Digital Products. All things Product and Project Management are my jam. I enjoy defining and implementing innovative User Experiences for all things Digital from Mobile Applications to eCommerce platforms. 

I’ve worked in various industries, but the problem to solve has always remained the same. How do we create a seamless and intuitive user experience for the end user/consumer. Those are the problems I enjoy solving for.  

My career path thus far hasn’t been very linear, but every opportunity I’ve had has been a building block for the next. The key lesson I’ve learned along the way is not to limit or define myself by one single role. This has allowed me work outside the box become a well-rounded professional.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Major shoutout to my family and friends who have cheered me on in different ways and have been a sounding board for all my ideas!

Website: https://basicsetal.com/ & https://www.blacklineup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abenaa.adjei/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abenaaadjei/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/basicsetal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8xRBWycEB0wBsbxfH9tX3w

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