Joining our Brown & Partners team this past May, Emmanuel “Manny” Baafour is quickly becoming one of our top leaders. His positive attitude is contagious, his honesty appreciated, and don’t even get us started on his goals! We are very selective about who we bring on board because, as a small business, each of our team members has the potential to make a strong impact on the future of our business, and after only a few months, we can confidently say that Manny is going to play a substantial role in our growth over the coming year!

As a thank you for all of his hard work, we are spotlighting Manny in an informative and inspiring Q&A.

“Take the leap. Regret is the biggest thing people have when they get older. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Let’s start at the beginning. Where are you from, and where did you grow up?

I’m originally from Kumasi, Ghana, in West Africa. I moved to the States when I was two and grew up in North Augusta, SC, until I moved upstate for college.

Do you believe your background has made you a minority in the business world?

As an African immigrant in the US, yes. I want to break the mold and be a face that shows the younger generation that it is possible. You just have to put the work in.

Manny, at twenty-seven years old, you have a bit of professional experience under your belt. Can you share with us a little about your journey post-high school?

After high school, I decided to leave town and go to college at USC Upstate. I grew up sheltered in an immigrant foreign household. I wanted the experience to be on my own. So, I spent three years in college and decided to leave early because I realized it wasn’t for me — I didn’t like my degree. That’s when I decided that I was going to go to the work field to find my niche. I am glad that I decided to leave my hometown. I felt like I was finally able to become an adult, make mistakes, and grow as a person.

It was this path that led you to Brown & Partners, but what was it about us that drew you in?

The opportunity for growth as an entrepreneur.

What has been your favorite thing about working with us so far?

The work and the team environment are amazing. I had never worked with a company where I genuinely felt comfortable and accepted.

How has your career grown since May of 2022?

My time management and people skills have improved so much.

Now that we know more about how you came to work with us, let’s dive into your mindset.

What is your greatest skill?

I have a photographic memory.

Do you like working independently or with a team?

I am very independently motivated; I believe if you can’t motivate yourself, how can you lead others? I see myself as a future leader.

Describe your leadership style.

Very blunt and matter-of-fact.

As someone looking to strengthen their skills, how well do you respond to constructive criticism?

I have always been defensive, but I have learned at this company that people are not attacking me; they are just looking out for my best interest. One of the things I have focused on while at Brown & Partners is improving how I handle critique.

Manny, we commend you for noticing what you need to work on and being open-minded!

Share with us your greatest accomplishment.

Deciding to take on this career path and betting on myself to do something more with my life. You must believe in yourself and your potential. I feel like my decision to do that was something huge for me.

You are actively working to grow in your career. So how do you measure your performance and success?

Did I do everything I could to achieve the goal I set out to do? Did I earn my right to unmake my bed at night?

Manny, we are so grateful for you opening up and sharing about your career journey and mindset. To wrap up, let us know about the goals you are working to achieve!

My short-term goal is to soak up as much knowledge in this company to get me into management. Long term, I want to put myself in a position to pay off my parent’s mortgage. I want them to retire back in our home country of Ghana. I also want to build capital to get into pro sports ownership. My biggest passion is sports, and I want to get into that space. I also want to get my public speaking skills up to a point to be an advocate for mental health. Depression and anxiety were something I struggled hard as a child with, and I want to be that voice for those people.

“No one in this world is going to give you a handout. You have to take your opportunities.”

Thank you, Manny, for being a shining example of what happens when someone works hard and dedicates themselves to their goals! You have created a strong foundation here at Brown & Partners, and we are eager to see how far you progress over the next year!

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Brown and Partners
Brown and Partners

Written by Brown and Partners

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Brown & Partners is a dynamic marketing and sales firm serving the Greenville, SC, area.

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