Buckarie Dumbuya on Business Development, Innovation, And Strategies To Be Successful
Success in business doesn’t start with products, processes, or profits, it begins with a good mindset. Buckarie Dumbuya, an entrepreneur whose journey spans continents and industries, argues that the key to entrepreneurial success lies in the mindsets we cultivate.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
In his view, the greatest shift African diaspora entrepreneurs need to make is not just a financial or strategic one—it’s a shift in how they see themselves, their potential, and their communities.
As he believes, your story is the gateway to your success, and in the era of digital entrepreneurship, the tools to share that story have never been more accessible. We will cover these and more in this article.
Storytelling: The Core of Entrepreneurial Success
It’s easy to think of storytelling as something reserved for novels, films, or social media influencers. But for African diaspora entrepreneurs, storytelling is a crucial business tool. Think about it: every brand, no matter how big or small, is built on a story. Stories humanize businesses, making them relatable, trustworthy, and, most importantly, memorable.
Buckarie Dumbuya’s own life story is a perfect example of this as he recently shared with Obehi Ewanfoh during his appearance at the Obehi Podcast. His mother, a small-scale businesswoman selling akara (fried bean cakes) and bread in Sierra Leone, is one of the inspirations behind his entrepreneurial journey.
Consider also Obehi Ewanfoh, who moved from Nigeria to Italy in 2004. Driven by a curiosity to understand the experiences of fellow African immigrants in northern Italy, he launched a research project called The Journey.
What began as a personal exploration has since evolved into a global platform, connecting him with diverse voices within the African diaspora community.
According to Harvard Business Review, stories are one of the most powerful ways to create emotional bonds with consumers. When people hear a story that resonates with their own experiences or challenges, they are more likely to become loyal customers.
For African diaspora entrepreneurs, sharing stories about their roots, struggles, and triumphs can serve as a bridge to engage global audiences—people who are seeking authenticity and connection.
Take the example of Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, a Nigerian entrepreneur who co-founded Andela, a company that trains software engineers across Africa. Aboyeji’s story—of growing up in Nigeria, facing the challenges of limited opportunity, and eventually creating a global company—was pivotal in attracting investors and clients to Andela.
His journey spoke not just to the potential of African talent but to the broader idea of resilience and innovation. Stories like his show how powerful a well-crafted narrative can be in positioning a business for success.
When you tell your story authentically, you are not just sharing your personal history; you are crafting a narrative that has the potential to influence your audience’s beliefs, emotions, and decisions.
See also Mastering these 5 Key Emotions in Business Storytelling To Change The Game
As Buckarie Dumbuya puts it, business is not just about selling a product, it’s about selling a story that addresses people’s real, emotional needs. This means that in today’s world of content creation, especially through platforms like podcasts, YouTube, and blogs, you are your brand’s most powerful storyteller.
Shifting Mindsets: The Foundation for Business Development
Now, let’s dig deeper into what Buckarie Dumbuya identifies as the key to success: mindset. The reality for many African entrepreneurs—both in Africa and the diaspora—is that success has often been stymied by systemic issues, but also limited thinking.
Dumbuya is clear that the root cause of many business struggles in Africa, whether in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, or other parts of the continent, lies in the collective mindset. To succeed, he argues, you must change your internal world before changing the external one.
In a recent McKinsey & Company report on African economic growth, it was noted that despite a growing middle class, the continent’s potential remains underutilized due to factors like corruption, political instability, and, significantly, a lack of entrepreneurial confidence.
The report also highlighted that African entrepreneurship tends to be highly fragmented, with many small-scale businesses unable to scale due to an aversion to risk and a reliance on informal networks rather than formal business models.
This is where mindset becomes key. In Dumbuya’s view, business development starts from within. If you think your business will fail, it will. If you don’t believe you have the capacity to innovate or scale, your business will remain stuck in the local market.
The first step toward success, then, is to change how you see yourself and your business potential.
According to The World Bank, entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, with an estimated 22% of adults engaged in early-stage entrepreneurial activity.
However, African entrepreneurs still face barriers such as limited access to capital, mentorship, and training. The solution to these challenges doesn’t lie in external factors alone, it lies in shifting the mindset of entrepreneurs to think beyond survival and towards long-term sustainability and growth.
By developing a mindset of abundance and innovation, African diaspora entrepreneurs can challenge the limiting beliefs that hold them back. Changing how you see your business—from merely a local venture to a global enterprise—is the first step towards building something larger than yourself.
Business Development: Start From Within
Dumbuya also challenges the common misconception that business development is solely about the external environment—about what’s happening in the marketplace, the economy, or the competition.
The truth is business development begins with you. It starts with understanding your own story, your motivations, and your deeper sense of purpose.
Entrepreneurship is not just about identifying a gap in the market; it’s about addressing the real needs of your audience. And those needs are not only material; they are emotional, cultural, and personal.
You might also like How Emotional Intelligence Shapes Our Connections: Lessons from April Wyett on the Obehi Podcast
When you create products or services that speak to the deeper needs of your community—be it the African diaspora or other global audiences—you set yourself up for lasting success. For you, as an entrepreneur, ask yourself:
- What is my unique value proposition?
- What story can I tell that aligns my background, skills, and experiences with my customers’ needs?
By understanding your deeper motivations and your audience’s pain points, you can develop a business model that doesn’t just seek profit but provide value on a more personal level.
Leveraging Digital Entrepreneurship for Global Impact
In today’s digital age, storytelling is no longer confined to face-to-face interactions. The digital space is an incredibly powerful tool for African diaspora entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and amplify their messages.
From podcasts to social media to blogs, the opportunities to share your story and connect with a global audience have never been greater.
For example, Obehi Podcast, hosted by Obehi Ewanfoh, is a prime example of how digital platforms can be used to amplify the voices of African diaspora entrepreneurs. Through interviews with experts, leaders, and innovators from various industries, Obehi Podcast has become a pillar of inspiration for entrepreneurs looking for business tips, strategies, and insights.
Obehi’s ability to share his own entrepreneurial journey and the stories of others on this platform has helped him build a global audience of like-minded individuals.
The global rise of podcasts, especially among African diaspora communities, reflects a broader trend. In 2023, Africa Podcast Week estimated that over 20 million African podcast listeners were tuning in from across the globe.
In case you are new to podcasting, here’s a list of 5 top African podcasts that provide a diverse and engaging experience, perfect for listeners looking to explore African perspectives, culture, history, and more:
1. Uncooked Women
Focus: Food, culture, history, and sexuality. Why Listen to Uncooked Women: Co-hosts Ada and Ore use food as a lens to explore African history, pop culture, and social issues, such as the role food played in Nigeria’s End SARS protests.
Their unique angle also delves into topics like female sexual pleasure through the symbolism of plantains.
2. True Crime South Africa
Focus: True crime stories from South Africa. Here is why should Listen to the podcast: Hosted by Nicole Engelbrecht, this podcast brings a gripping and empathetic look at South African true crime, focusing on victims and survivors.
It’s an excellent choice for fans of true crime who want to hear detailed investigations and personal stories from the region.
3. It’s A Continent
Focus: African history and culture. Why Listen It’s a Continent podcast: Chinny Ukata and Astrid Madimba, both raised in the UK, dive deep into African history and culture, sharing their personal journey of reconnecting with their African roots.
The podcast covers the historical context of various African countries, offering an educational and enlightening perspective.
4. Afro Queer
Focus: LGBTQIA+ issues in Africa. Why Listen: Afro Queer highlights the lives of queer Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora. This podcast provides valuable anthropological insight into the intersection of African identity and queerness, offering powerful stories of resilience and activism.
5. I Said What I Said
Focus: Pop culture, relationships, and social issues. Why you should consider listening to the podcast: Hosted by Jola Ayeye and Feyikemi Abudu, this podcast blends witty humor with deep discussions on social issues, relationships, and pop culture.
Their frankness and honest takes on everyday life resonate with a wide audience, especially among millennials and Gen Z listeners.
These podcasts offer a rich variety of content that brings the voices, experiences, and perspectives of Africa to the forefront.
This statistic highlights the immense potential for African diaspora entrepreneurs to share their stories, connect with their audiences, and establish themselves as thought leaders.
Platforms like podcasts allow you to share your story on a global stage. They also allow for niche marketing, reaching an audience that specifically resonates with your message.
See also Defining Your Audience: How Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs Identify Their Ideal Clients
For instance, by sharing the story of your business’s origins, challenges, and wins, you create a bond with listeners who may share similar experiences. These digital platforms are not just about marketing; they are about building a community around your story.
The Role of Mentorship and Leadership in Entrepreneurship
No entrepreneurial journey is completed in isolation. Dumbuya emphasizes the importance of mentorship, which has been crucial in his own success. In his work as a business coach and mentor, he sees first-hand the transformative power of guidance, accountability, and collaboration.
The African diaspora community, though often fragmented, is rich with talent and potential, and mentorship plays a key role in unlocking that potential.
According to PwC’s 2020 “Africa Business Agenda”, mentorship is one of the leading factors in entrepreneurial success in Africa. Having access to networks of experienced entrepreneurs can provide invaluable insights, help overcome challenges, and open doors that might otherwise be closed.
For African diaspora entrepreneurs, mentorship can help bridge the gap between local business strategies and global market needs.
Leadership is another critical component. Dumbuya’s ability to lead by example has made him a mentor to many entrepreneurs in his community. By demonstrating resilience, creativity, and strategic thinking, he encourages the next generation of business owners to push boundaries, take risks, and innovate.
As you pursue your own entrepreneurial journey, consider who your mentors are and how you can pay it forward by mentoring others.
Buckarie Dumbuya: A Model for Modern Entrepreneurs
Who is Buckarie Dumbuya? As an entrepreneur, fashion design innovator, international bestselling author, and mentor, Dumbuya embodies the multi-faceted approach that modern African diaspora entrepreneurs must adopt.
His ability to navigate between business coaching, digital content creation, and community building shows how versatile entrepreneurship can be. He uses storytelling as the core of his message, whether he’s speaking at an event, or writing books.
In Dumbuya’s own words, “We cannot become wealthy outside ourselves. The change we need begins within.” His story is one of transformation—not just in business but in how we think about business.
Conclusion: Your Story is Your Success
As you move forward in your entrepreneurial journey, remember this: your story is the key to your success. By changing your mindset, crafting a compelling narrative, and leveraging digital tools to amplify your voice, you can create a business that resonates with people on a global scale.
African diaspora entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to tell stories that not only reflect their individual journeys but also resonate with audiences across the world.
Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of The Storytelling Mastery.
