From Rock Bottom to Fintech Founder – How I’d Rebuild My Business and Brand from Zero Today

From Rock Bottom to Fintech Founder: How I’d Rebuild My Business and Brand from Zero Today

In 2018, I lost everything.

My wife. My son. My job. My savings. My peace of mind.

It happened in a very public, deeply painful way. What followed wasn’t a fairytale comeback—it was a daily decision to fight forward. To turn grief into something useful. To build again—not just for me, but for people who had also been failed by the systems meant to protect them.

That’s why I started CedisPay, a fintech company on a mission to help everyday Ghanaians take control of their money—with tools, education, and access they’ve never had before.

We’ve done everything the hard way. No investors. No big salaries. No shortcuts. Just purpose, progress, and belief in people.

And if I had to start all over again—no followers, no resources, no platform—here’s exactly how I would rebuild my business and personal brand from scratch.

🔑 1. Start with a Clear Personal Edge

What I call a “Fast Advantage.”

Everyone has one. It’s the unique blend of:

• A skill you’re good at
• An experience that shaped you
• A form of proof that earns trust

For me, that’s:

• Skill: Making money human through powerful, relatable storytelling
• Experience: Losing everything and rebuilding from zero
• Proof: Founder of Ghana’s first real financial wellbeing platform for everyday people. Pioneering a pension-backed lending system

That foundation alone gives me the edge to grow fast—even from ground zero.

🧠 2. Create Content That Solves Real Problems

Most people create content that sounds good. I’d create content that helps.

Every post, article, or video would answer one pain point for one person—as clearly and practically as possible.

For example:

• “How to break free from living paycheck to paycheck”
• “The simplest way to start budgeting in Ghana”
• “What every salary worker must know about Tier 3 pensions”

I’d post consistently, and every piece would focus on clarity, not cleverness.

The goal: Be helpful enough to be unforgettable.

💼 3. Launch Two Offers from Day One

Many wait too long to offer value people can pay for. I wouldn’t.

From the beginning, I’d roll out:

• ✅ ₵3,000+ Done-for-You Service: Pension-backed loans and personalized financial coaching for employees, payroll-based institutions, and pension contributors
• ✅ ₵99 Digital Product: A self-paced “Financial Wellbeing Toolkit” including a 30-Day Budget Challenge, Debt-Free Roadmap, and CedisPay’s 7 Baby Steps for Wealth

This two-offer model works because it meets people where they are—whether they want speed and support or to DIY.

📘 4. Balance Storytelling with Solutions

Story makes you relatable. Solutions make you valuable.

I’d split my content like this:

• 50% Story: Personal experiences, failures, rebuilding, and lessons
• 50% Solution: Tactical steps, frameworks, tools, and checklists

Example stories:

• “How I built a fintech after going three years without a salary”
• “Why I turned down outside funding to stay focused on purpose”
• “What grief taught me about financial freedom”

Example solutions:

• “How to escape the debt trap using your pension”
• “The CedisPay Budget System: Explained step-by-step”
• “7 Baby Steps for Wealth Creation in Ghana”

This combo builds trust, credibility, and connection.

🎯 5. Use Broad Hooks with Niche Depth

To attract the right people, I’d use hooks that are broad enough to stop the scroll, but specific enough to keep them reading.

Example:

• Broad Hook: “A money lesson I learned the hard way”
• Emotional Anchor: “After losing my wife, my son, and my savings…”
• Niche Focus: “Here’s how I now help people use their pensions to break the debt cycle.”

This formula widens your reach while deepening your impact.

📸 6. Use Social Proof in 90% of Content

When you’ve actually helped people, show it.

Every 1–2 posts, I’d mention real wins:

• “We’ve helped over 3,000 Ghanaians create a working budget.”
• “One teacher used our app to save ₵500 for the first time ever.”
• “90% of people who use our Tier 3 strategy reduce debt in 90 days.”

This isn’t bragging. It’s trust-building.

🔍 7. Optimize Every Post With Searchable Keywords

I’d never write just for engagement—I’d write for discoverability.

That means using keywords people are actually searching for.

Some examples:

• “How to budget in Ghana”
• “Best savings plan for salary workers”
• “How to use your pension before retirement”
• “What is Tier 3 pension?”
• “Debt-free strategies for teachers, nurses, and civil servants”

I’d include these in headlines, first lines, and hashtags.

📥 8. Launch Weekly Lead Magnets

Each one would solve one urgent problem, and invite readers to:

✅ Download the guide ✅ Join my newsletter ✅ Receive a follow-up offer

Example lead magnets:

• “30-Day Financial Reset Challenge”
• “The Ultimate Budgeting Toolkit for Salary Workers”
• “Tier 3 Pension Guide: How to Access Funds Without Retiring”
• “Debt-Free Playbook for Ghanaians Living on a Fixed Income”

These double as list builders and customer funnels.

🚀 9. Work for Free (Strategically)

I’d offer free financial coaching or planning to 3 creators, entrepreneurs, or professionals with large audiences in Ghana or the diaspora.

Do excellent work → Use those results as case studies → Get introduced to their audience.

It’s the fastest growth hack you can’t pay for.

💬 10. Build Relationships in the DMs

Forget cold pitches.

I’d spend 1–2 hours a day:

• Thanking people who engage with my content
• Messaging those who visit my profile or join my list
• Asking meaningful questions like:

• “What’s your biggest financial goal right now?” • “What’s the biggest frustration with your money lately?” • “Do you feel in control of your income?”

No selling. Just helping—and opening doors.

🧭 Final Thoughts

I didn’t build CedisPay in a vacuum. I built it out of necessity, purpose, and relentless testing. I built it for the teacher in Takoradi, the nurse in Ho, the driver in Madina, the single father who’s lost more than he thought he could survive.

And if I had to start all over again?

This is exactly how I’d do it.

Practical tools. Powerful stories. Personal connection.

That’s the foundation of every brand that lasts.

Get the My Financial Wellbeing Budget App and take charge of your money today: http://cedispay.com.gh/budget

Stay Informed & Inspired – Subscribe to my Financial Wellbeing Newsletter for expert insights: https://cedispay.com.gh/financial-education

👉 Want the 30-Day  savings Budget Challenge or Debt-Free Playbook?

visit https://cedispay.com.gh/financial-wellbeing-challenges  to start your journey.

Let’s make financial wellbeing possible—for everyone.