Intro; Background on Lorraine Wright-Boateng, MBE
Lorraine Wright-Boateng MBE, a British born Ghanaian, is a multifaceted businesswoman, tech professional, community advocate, speaker, moderator, and content creator. Lorraine is a seasoned professional committed to making a difference through her ventures in both the UK and Ghana. She was recently named as a ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneur to watch’ by HSBC and the UK Black Business Show.
As a distinguished University of Oxford Exec MBA Graduate, Lorraine thrives in bridging the gap between the Ghanaian Diaspora and Ghana, particularly within the realm of business and investment opportunities.
Lorraine has earned her reputation as the ‘Chief Side Hustler’, leveraging her platforms to educate others on successfully managing side hustles alongside full-time jobs, as well as, providing insights on investment opportunities in the fast-growing Ghanaian economy based on her personal experiences. Her extensive background includes senior roles at prestigious institutions such as UBS bank and Meta, where she most recently served as the UK regional lead for the Facebook Community Accelerator Program, working with impactful start-ups.
As the founder of Resonates Well, a social enterprise, Lorraine enhances student well-being, empowers young voices, and fosters community through her flagship initiative ‘University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY)’, an endeavour that earned her an MBE from the Late HRM Queen Elizabeth II. The annual “X factor meets choirs” style televised competition, over the last 10 years, has worked with thousands of students from over 70 UK and 20 Ghanaian universities, aired on UK TV and aired in Ghana as a reality TV series.
Lorraine’s impact extends to Ghana, where she is a Non-Executive Director for the Google-backed Ghanaian agriculture crowdfunding platform ‘Grow For Me’. Her diverse portfolio includes ownership of ‘Liona Nails’ and ‘Liona Lashes’, as well as co-founding ‘UV Talent’, a music talent booking agency that has supplied talents to renowned shows like X Factor and The Voice.
Aside from other personal investments and interests, Lorraine runs a dynamic strategic advisory practice that offers comprehensive guidance for both property investment and business expansion into Ghana. With a deep understanding of the real estate market and a wealth of experience in facilitating business ventures, Lorraine is dedicated to equipping individuals and businesses with the insights they need to make informed decisions. Her advisory services encompass a wide range of areas, from property acquisitions to assisting businesses in their expansion efforts. Lorraine’s personalised consultations provide tailored solutions to meet her clients’ unique objectives, fostering confidence and success in every endeavour.
What inspired you to pursue entrepreneurship while also maintaining a full-time job?
Aside from being passionate about helping people, I also realised I wanted to leave a lasting legacy by leveraging my experience in two different countries, Ghana and the UK. This motivated me to bridge the gap between these two nations by pursuing entrepreneurship. For example, through my business, ‘Strategic Advisory’ firm, I am working to help diasporans enter the Ghana property market and yield investment yields that will help them earn extra income outside their 9-5 jobs. Through my entrepreneurial ventures, job seekers in Ghana also gain employment. Also, my online program, ‘Diaspora to Home’ helps individuals navigate the complexities of the Ghanaian Real Estate market and to find their dream home.
What and who has helped you on this journey?
I’m fortunate to have a strong support system that has helped me on this journey. My mother has been a constant source of encouragement, while my partners bring their expertise to the table and allow us to work effectively as a team. The dedication of our volunteers and partners at ‘UGCY’ has been instrumental in reaching a wider audience, and I am grateful for the guidance of experienced mentors who have shared their knowledge and helped me navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
What challenges have you encountered on the journey of Entrepreneurship?
Finding my niche (Strategic Advisory) was initially challenging. Identifying a unique value proposition and differentiating myself from existing businesses or organisations took time and effort.
Expanding the UGCY program has presented several challenges:
- Securing sponsors: To run an event like UGCY costs us tens of thousands of pounds!
- Recruiting volunteers: Attracting and retaining a dedicated volunteer force has proven difficult, especially as our program grows and requires more support.
What birthed the idea of ‘UGCY’?
The idea for University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY) was born from the realisation that there was a lack of major gospel competition programs specifically for universities. Inspired by the 1993 film “Sister Act 2 – Back in the Habit,” UGCY was established as an annual event.
UGCY’s primary vision is to provide an unparalleled platform for university gospel choirs across the UK to develop and showcase their musical talents. The competition fosters a spirit of excellence and encourages participants to push beyond their personal limitations. It also aims to inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds through the power of gospel music.
Beyond the competition, UGCY champions student well-being, particularly mental health, by leveraging the power of music and fostering a strong sense of community. Driven by my passion for music and choirs, I established UGCY as a platform to share this love with others and empower young individuals to reach their full potential on national stages.
What is a typical day or week like coming up to an event?
In the lead-up to UGCY, the energy is truly electric. Choirs nationwide are laser-focused, honing their craft through intense rehearsals and innovative fundraising initiatives. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, our team works tirelessly, securing the ideal venue and crafting a seamless competition schedule. Passionate volunteers get involved and join briefings to ensure their roles in the event’s success run like clockwork.
As the big day approaches, the entire team prepares for showdown. It’s a full day of preparation, sound checks, choir interaction sessions and dress rehearsals! The event kicks off at 7pm and each choir takes to the stage to perform their set followed by judge’s feedback. The competition culminates in the unifying performance of the UGCY Mass Choir, a powerful symbol of the event’s core value of fostering community, as the winners are announced!
How do you prioritize and balance self-care, personal time, family time & social time within the busy schedule of entrepreneurship?
Achieving balance between entrepreneurship, personal time, family, and social life requires strategic planning and clear boundaries. I set specific work hours and avoid checking work outside those times to ensure work doesn’t encroach on personal life. This allows me to be fully present, whether it’s with loved ones at home or friends at social events.
Delegation and efficiency: To ensure I have time for everything important, I delegate and outsource tasks whenever possible. This frees me up to focus on strategic initiatives that require my specific skillset and leadership.
Self-care and recharging: I prioritise taking regular breaks between major events and milestones, even if it’s just for a few days. This allows me to recharge and maintain focus. Additionally, I consistently schedule time for connecting with loved ones and enjoying activities that bring me joy and well-being.
How do you maintain a sense of purpose and fulfilment through your entrepreneurial endeavours?
Maintaining a sense of purpose and fulfilment comes from fostering a strong sense of community in everything I do. Whether it’s through UGCY, my Diaspora to Home program or my Strategic Advisory firm, I strive to create spaces where people can connect, support each other, and grow together. I find immense satisfaction in helping others find their own passions and pursue their dreams. This sense of purpose fuels my motivation and keeps me going.
How has your faith helped you on the journey?
My faith has been a constant source of strength and guidance throughout my life, including my entrepreneurial journey. It has instilled in me values like perseverance and determination, which have been crucial in overcoming challenges and setbacks. The strong sense of community within my faith has also provided invaluable support and encouragement, which has kept me motivated during difficult times. Additionally, my faith informs my decision-making process, emphasising ethical practices and giving back to the community, aspects I strive to integrate into my business endeavours.
Lessons learnt so far?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the power of building connections. Engaging in networking activities has allowed me to expand my network of like-minded individuals, many of whom have become supportive mentors or collaborators. This has opened doors to valuable opportunities and connected me to the right people to help me advance my vision.
Another key lesson involves the importance of exploration. During my entrepreneurial journey, I actively participated in various ventures before finally settling on my current focus. This process of exploration allowed me to discover my niche and identify the work that truly resonates with my passion and skills.
What advice would you give others?
1. Explore actively: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Take online courses, volunteer in different fields, and read widely to discover your niche and what truly ignites your passion.
2. Stay focused: Write down your vision and revisit it regularly. Create a vision board, craft a mission statement, or set clear goals to keep yourself on track.
3. Embrace the journey: Challenges are inevitable, but remember to celebrate your small wins, surround yourself with supportive people, and prioritise self-care to maintain your motivation and persevere through tough times.
How can others support you?
Those interested in supporting my work can do so in a few ways such as, sharing their experiences with Ghanaian real estate or connecting me with individuals seeking guidance in this area would be incredibly helpful. Additionally, I’m always looking for feedback to improve my resources and services. Sharing your thoughts and insights is incredibly valuable.
For ‘Resonates Well CIC’ and ‘UGCY’, we are always on the lookout for volunteers and donations to our social enterprise!
Donate to support UGCY via paypalme/ugcy.
By TransparentC
