Why You Need $Balls to Play

All of this rests on my shoulders.
What if something happens to me?
What if I'm not able to deliver?

This isn’t self-doubt—it’s a race against time and fate. These days, I hardly step outside. Not because I don’t want to, but because of what’s at stake.

I find myself in a unique position as co-founder, CEO/CTO. I write code. I manage people. I pay salaries. The reality packed into that short sentence could fill a book.

The Weight and Calling of Founding

Being a founder is not for everyone. For me, it’s a calling. What I’m building now is the beginning of a much larger mission. To endure this path, you need long suffering because anything can happen. One moment you’re confident, the next, a black swan appears. You can’t just plan for the known—you must build capacity for the unexpected.

It’s not about luck. You must put in the work.
And not just hard work—smart work.
Smart work is about ruthless prioritization. Knowing what matters now. Reading the signs of the times. Catching the trends before they go mainstream. Speed is essential. Organize your team so your execution is frictionless.

You must complete the effort loop!

The Effort Loop has three core phases: Information, Planning, and Execution.
It’s a cycle—one you must complete again and again.

• Don’t plan without sufficient information.
• Don’t execute without a sufficient plan.
• Complete the loop, then repeat.

The faster and cleaner you go around the loop, the more momentum you build.
That’s the real game—reducing friction in the loop while maintaining quality at each phase.

A Founder’s Reflection

Why am I here?
What would happen if I’m not?

I ask myself these questions every day not out of fear, but for clarity. They strip away the noise and help me see what deserves my focus. A lot can be put away when you know why you’re here.

At the beginning of this year, I left my 9 to 5 in a comfortable position as a tech manager: Head of Blockchain R&D, DevOps, and Security at a high-value startup. That was the kind of job many prayed for. But when destiny calls, man must answer.

This journey isn’t for everyone. So know what you’re getting yourself into—and why.

People Matter

Have humane business partners. Find mentors who care. Keep friends who see you, not just your potential or profit. Don’t be a lone wolf.

I say “humane” on purpose. The business world is filled with people driven only by money. You can work with them, but they shouldn’t be your inner circle. Protect your peace. Protect your humanity.

A few weeks ago, I made a mistake that cost us money. It hit me hard. When you’re bootstrapping, every cedi matters. I felt careless and irresponsible. But my close circle helped me bounce back. Their words, support, and presence gave me the baseline to stand again.

In that low moment, something shifted. I became more empathetic and found myself encouraging others more. I gained emotional intelligence the hard way- life lessons that no lecture could teach. It felt as though I paid for a masterclass with pain as tuition.

Money ≠ Limit

I’ve reached a point where lack of money no longer limits me.
What I want to build, I will build.

I used to believe my capacity was tied to my bank account. Not anymore. I’ve learned that money is just one form of energy—and it’s not the only one. Creativity, people, momentum, clarity—these are currencies too. There are many ways to kill a cat.

Money is neither the end nor the means to and end, it's energy, but it's not the only energy.

Leadership, Stripped Down

Leadership is just a role I’m playing in people’s lives.
I am not the role.

Strip off the titles and it’s human to human. That’s how I prefer to lead. Let’s reason together. Let’s build together. Let’s make each other better.

Roots & Responsibility

Stay connected to your roots, and always draw lessons from your past.
I was raised in a low-income household in Ghana. Life wasn’t smooth. All I remember is that my Dad sacrificed the little comfort he had to educate me. Because of him, I know I can be anywhere I want to be.

He once said to me:

“Abuburo nkosua, adea 3b3y3 yie ns3i da.”

He was always cool, calm and collected. Very dependable and responsible. Similarly, if I'm responsible for something or someone, I take it personally.

I have no doubt in my mind I will achieve my agenda.

Final Words

Be open-minded. Don’t be quick to take sides without seeing all sides. Be patient, personally, this has been quite a big deal to learn but I'm getting there. Be dynamic, if it's not working stop holding on to it.

This journey is intense, uncertain, and sometimes painful.
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m still on the path.
But I hope these words encourage someone else on this road.