Greeting Cards and Faith

Meet Ama Asantewa, a Ghanaian storyteller, performer, writer, and the founder and creative director of Yobbings, a greeting card online store. Her creative practice is rooted in a desire to tell her own story, in her own language, mannerisms, and culture. 

For two years Ama sat with an idea to start a greeting card company, but fear of failure stopped her from moving forward. She thought “how can I possibly compete with Hallmark?” One day she had enough, pushed down her excuses and fears, and took a leap of faith to start Yobbings with just 4 cards.

Today Yobbings creates over 80 cards internationally to show love, solidarity, and to acknowledge black greatness. It's synonymous with thoughtfulness and lightheartedness. 

Check out this episode to find out about Ama’s experience adjusting to life as a creative in Chicago, how her life as an artist in Ghana was different, and get inspired by her journey starting her business Yobbings.

In this episode, Ama shares:

• Her first memory of being an artist, and what life was like growing up in Ghana as an artist.
• The common thread in her work that ties her poetry, singing, and design together and is the driving force behind her work.
• An intimate look at her experience living in Chicago during graduate school and how that experience impacted her creative practice.
• What she believes is the key factor for her success in her business Yobbings
• The best advice she was ever given when first starting out as an entrepreneur, and how it helped her to create a sustainable practice.

 

Links in this episode:

Ama Asantewa Instagram

Yobbings

Poetra Asantewa

Black Girls Glow Residency

Kindred Creatives Collective