Florence Asare Builds Business in Beads in Ghana

Florence Asare is the owner and managing director of TK Beads. This remarkable entrepreneur started a small scale business in Ghana by recycling used glass bottles. She now earns an income by transforming junk into jewels.

Following in her family’s footsteps, Florence Asare is in the business of making beads. Taking up the trade passed down to her from generations, she crafts handmade beads from ordinary glass bottles. Florence began her first steps as an entrepreneur in 1986, after completing elementary school.  Learning to sell beads from her cousin, she started as a vendor going from one market to the next. This early entrance into the industry gave her valuable insight and led her to consider what she could bring to the trade. There and then she decided to create her own beads and offer something new and unique to the marketplace.

Florence Asare: Owner of TK Beads

Beginning production with just one employee, she founded TK Beads, a small scale business that specialises in the manufacture of custom designed beads in Ghana. Today, this remarkable business has grown to employ 25 people and service international, as well as local clients.

To keep up with the constant demand, Florence has innovated new production techniques and draws from Ghanaian culture where beads are used to lavishly decorate ladies, particularly for wedding ceremonies. Working alongside her, Florence’s team consists of skilled workers who each fulfil specific roles. Making beads is a dynamic process that requires a person at every stage. From pounding clay to painting patterns, everyone is involved. As a conscientious employer, Florence is committed to ensuring that her employees benefit from the company. As she says,

they are not working with anybody, they are working with me.”

To grow her company, Florence built good relationships with her clientele. But in order to keep her customers happy she has to make sure she can deliver on time. This can be a challenge for TK Beads as sometimes the material she requires is not always readily available. That’s why Florence keeps a stock of firewood and plans in advance to pre-empt everything the company will need.

In the last few years, TK Beads has set up a showroom to display their ornate artistry. Resembling a trove of treasures, necklaces and bangles line the walls in every shape and colour. From bottles to beads, Florence Asare transforms junk into jewels. She is a proud business woman doing what she knows best.

Florence Asare: Owner of TK Beads