Switch Tips 003 - Hitting The Reset Button with Education | Daniel Kwaku Merki

A short snippet from our conversation with Daniel Kwaku Merki, which was entitled, "Solving Africa's Most Challenging Problems - From Finance Professional to Serial Entrepreneur - Daniel Kwaku Merki - #008"

In this clip, Daniel explores how Education helped him to get a fresh start in life and the options it gave him in his career and business.


 Daniel Kwaku Merki is a finance professional and entrepreneur. He’s currently a co-host of Change Africa Podcast and acts as an early stage angel investor over at VDL fulfilment.

He has an unconventional career path and experiences across various industries and roles. His early career began as a senior investment analyst with Strategic African Securities (SAS), where he was involved in private equity deals and corporate finance transactions on the Ghana Stock Exchange. 

After his stint at SAS, he established an Accra-based consultancy firm focused on startups and small businesses in addition to operating a restaurant business. In 2015 he joined the German chamber representation in Ghana as the head of its consulting unit before pursuing his MBA (Focus Entrepreneurship) from EDHEC Business School in France. 

After graduation, he worked as an Africa-focused business consultant in Berlin before joining the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria as an integrated expert supported by the Programme Business Scouts for Development of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), placed by CIM (Centre for International Migration and Development) and headed their Competence Centre for Innovation & Startups from September 2019 to October 2022. 

Since November 2022, he has been back in Ghana as an integrated expert at GIPC/GIZ, focusing on attracting Diaspora investments to Ghana. In addition, he acts as an early-stage angel investor in VDL fulfilment and the Change Africa Podcast, where he also serves as a co-host. Daniel eagerly supports African entrepreneurial talent with deep contextual insights and continent-wide and global ambition.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

Adrian speaks to Daniel Kwaku Merki. He is a finance professional and entrepreneur. He’s currently a co-host of Change Africa Podcast and acts as an early stage angel investor over at VDL fulfilment.

He has an unconventional career path and experiences across various industries and roles. His early career began as a senior investment analyst with Strategic African Securities (SAS), where he was involved in private equity deals and corporate finance transactions on the Ghana Stock Exchange. 

After his stint at SAS, he established an Accra-based consultancy firm focused on startups and small businesses in addition to operating a restaurant business. In 2015 he joined the German chamber representation in Ghana as the head of its consulting unit before pursuing his MBA (Focus Entrepreneurship) from EDHEC Business School in France. 

After graduation, he worked as an Africa-focused business consultant in Berlin before joining the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria as an integrated expert supported by the Programme Business Scouts for Development of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), placed by CIM (Centre for International Migration and Development) and headed their Competence Centre for Innovation & Startups from September 2019 to October 2022. 

Since November 2022, he has been back in Ghana as an integrated expert at GIPC/GIZ, focusing on attracting Diaspora investments to Ghana. In addition, he acts as an early-stage angel investor in VDL fulfilment and the Change Africa Podcast, where he also serves as a co-host. Daniel eagerly supports African entrepreneurial talent with deep contextual insights and continent-wide and global ambition.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

Adrian speaks to Richard Phu. He is the Managing Director of Outsourcing Angel. He's an operations Expert who helps business owners to redesign their business to work without them using automation, systems and virtual assistants.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

This week, Adrian speaks to Adrian Benjamin. He was previously a Financial Consultant with over 10 years' experience working internationally for the largest Investment and Corporate banks in the world such as UBS, HSBC and RBS. He has recently switched over to Wealth Protection and now advises and trains clients over at Adrian B Finance.

Adrian has since picked up plaudits, having won awards from Scottish Advisor for social media, winning advisor of the year at his Wealth Protection firm in 2022 and has worked with the likes of Legal and General and Vitality.

In this episode, Adrian and I will discuss:

- Why he quit banking and finance after working for some of the biggest banks in the world including UBS, Credit Suisse and HSBC and others.

-Why he networks twice a week instead of watching Netflix at home

- Why footballers are going broke every week and what inspired him to switch to Wealth Protection

-The importance of Wealth Protection for yourself, Property, Business and building generational wealth for your family

Connect with Adrian Benjamin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianbfinance/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianBFinance/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-benjamin-cemap/
Website: https://www.adrianbfinance.com/

Head over to https://www.quitandswitch.co/adrianbenjamin for the episode show notes and references

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

This week, Adrian speaks to Clayton M Coke.

Head over to www.quitandswitch.co/claytoncoke for the episode show notes and references (available soon).

Clayton M Coke is the Founder & Managing Director of PRMS Ltd a Late Payment Management consultancy based in the City of London. Clayton is also the host of the Business/Entrepreneurship podcast, The Cashflow Show.

In this episode, Clayton and I will discuss:

• The importance of having a long-term vision for the business and breaking it down into shorter-term goals
• The significance of understanding investors and tailoring pitches accordingly. James encourages founders to test and validate the market before making career switches and advises on building a strong personal brand
• We share James's own entrepreneurial journey, from graphic design to co-founding Robot Mascot, a niche pitch and investment readiness agency. James believes in the power of niching and shares his experiences of focusing on one thing, leading to improved communication and increased work
• We discuss Robot Mascot's investor outreach services and their plans for expansion

Head over to www.quitandswitch.co/claytoncoke for the episode show notes and references (available soon).

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytoncoke/

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

The Shifting Landscape of Startup Funding: "There's just many more founders leveraging technology, building startup ideas and looking to raise funding.".

 A short snippet from our conversation with James Church, which was entitled "Raising Funds Made Easy - From Graphic Design to Funding Expert".

James Church is an accomplished author and entrepreneur, known for his best-selling book that revolutionised the world of startup investment. With a deep understanding of the struggles faced by founders when pitching for investment, James embarked on a journey to find a solution. Through years of research, he developed the groundbreaking strategy known as the Six Principles of the Perfect Pitch. When his book was released, it quickly soared to the top of the charts, even surpassing the likes of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk on Amazon. The success of the book was a testament to James' expertise and the invaluable knowledge he shares within its pages. The Six Principles of the Perfect Pitch encapsulate James' years of experience and provide a step-by-step guide for founders looking to master the art of pitching. By breaking down the process into manageable stages, he empowers entrepreneurs to confidently present their ideas and secure the investments they need. James Church's story is one of determination and innovation. His unwavering dedication to helping others succeed in the competitive world of startup investment has made him a sought-after mentor and authority in the field. With his transformative strategy, he continues to empower entrepreneurs worldwide to unlock their potential and bring their ideas to life.

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

This week, Adrian speaks to James Church.

Head over to www.quitandswitch.co/jameschurch for the episode show notes and references.

James Church is an accomplished entrepreneur. He is the founder of Robot Mascot, a niche pitch and investment readiness agency, and the author of "Investable Entrepreneur".  His best-selling book has revolutionised the world of startup investment. When his book was released, it quickly soared to the top of the charts, even surpassing the likes of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk on Amazon. 

The Six Principles of the Perfect Pitch encapsulate James' years of experience and provide a step-by-step guide for founders looking to master the art of pitching. James Church's story is one of determination and innovation. 

In this episode, James and I will discuss:

• The importance of having a long-term vision for the business and breaking it down into shorter-term goals
• The significance of understanding investors and tailoring pitches accordingly. James encourages founders to test and validate the market before making career switches and advises on building a strong personal brand
• We share James's own entrepreneurial journey, from graphic design to co-founding Robot Mascot, a niche pitch and investment readiness agency. James believes in the power of niching and shares his experiences of focusing on one thing, leading to improved communication and increased work
• We discuss Robot Mascot's investor outreach services and their plans for expansion

🌟 Ready to level up your entrepreneurial journey? Take the Pitch Ready scorecard.

Head over to www.quitandswitch.co/jameschurch for the episode show notes and references

Follow James Church on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescchurch/

14-day free trial with Skool
Who is your ideal client? What industry do you serve? Create a free community for them.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

This week, Adrian speaks to Dr. Pradeep, CEO of Donsfield, to share valuable tips that have the potential to change lives. We discuss Academia, leveraging failure for greater success and expansion into different verticals and utilizing AI.

He tackles life and career management scenarios with meticulous strategies based on his expertise in business development, E-commerce, scientific research and logistics and supply chain management

He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard University.

He's the author of "99 Trillion Helpers to Improve Your Gut Health".

Dr Pradeep is also a world class speaker on youth development, education, healthcare, social issues, career development and success. 

In this episode, Dr Pradeep and I will discuss:

• How Dr Pradeep went from earning one pound to now visualising making trillions in revenue
•  Life changing advice on never giving up and leverage failures as a springboard to greater success
• How anyone can come up with innovative ideas and create products that solve real problems

Head over to https://www.quitandswitch.co/pradeep for the episode show notes and references.

14-day free trial with Skool
Who is your ideal client? What industry do you serve? Create a free community for them.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

In this episode snippet, Matt Burns discusses why you should start skill stacking for new careers in potentially new industries and businesses, before the risks of AI and automation takes current roles such as Bookkeeping, Manual Labour and Hospitality jobs.

Listen to the full episode here:

 https://quitandswitchwithadriandaniels.buzzsprout.com/2208874/13085658-constraints-drive-innovation-from-hr-leader-to-hr-founder-and-podcaster-matt-burns-002

Head over to https://quitandswitch.co/mattburns for the episode show notes and references

Follow Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattinvr/

Listen to Matt's Podcast, Thinking Inside The Box: https://thinkinginsidethebox.buzzsprout.com/

Key topics and bullets from full episode: 

- Big companies facing challenges in the new era of work

- Evidence observed in the four years since the speaker left the corporate world

- Meetings now scheduled for 25 minutes instead of 30 due to back-to-back meetings

- Speaker's career transition from HR to entrepreneurship

- Started a podcast to have conversations, build relationships and raise brand awareness

- Recommends "Thinking Inside the Box" podcast for valuable insights

- Emphasis on constraints driving innovation

- Examples from interviews with previous podcast guests

- Tips for transitioning into HR and digital transformation space

- Importance of adapting to stay relevant in changing careers

- Assessing skills and interests and utilizing resources like YouTube and Coursera

- Speaker's personal experience with disrupting their career for more happiness and flexibility

- Discussion on podcasting and its benefits for building relationships in business

- Examples from interview with previous podcast guests

14-day free trial with Skool
Who is your ideal client? What industry do you serve? Create a free community for them.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels

This week, Adrian speaks to Matt Burns.

He’s an experienced and award-winning former HR executive who’s worked for some top companies including Walmart and JYSK. 

He led a talented global team that won the coveted “Most Innovative Use of HR Technology” in 2017 and the "Canadian HR Team of the Year" award in 2018.

He’s also the founder of BentoHR, a digital transformation consultancy working at the intersection of strategy, technology, operations and human capital to accelerate value creation.

Matt is also the Host and Producer of the “Thinking Inside the Box Podcast”, where they discuss the innovative ways organisations, and their leaders, overcome complex issues at work.

In this episode, Matt and I will discuss:

Matt’s career in HR and how he’s made the transition from being HR executive, to becoming a podcaster, HR founder and an industry analyst covering the world of work including areas such as HR strategy, digital transformation and tech

• Matt will teach you how you can make the best of your career, life or business situation 
• Learn how podcasting became a great way for Matt to build his business, build an incredible network and raise his brand awareness during Covid, thanks to his show Thinking  Inside the Box Podcast

Head over to www.quitandswitch.co/mattburns for the episode show notes and references

Follow Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattinvr/

Listen to Matt's Podcast, Thinking Inside The Box: https://thinkinginsidethebox.buzzsprout.com/

14-day free trial with Skool
Who is your ideal client? What industry do you serve? Create a free community for them.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

About Quit and Switch

Quit and Switch with Adrian Daniels, the show where we speak to established or rising stars, who have successfully pivoted from one career, industry or business to another, so professionals and entrepreneurs like us, in a transition, can learn tips and insights that we can apply in our own journeys.

This show is hosted by Adrian Daniels, a career professional who has quit and switched his whole life. Visit Adrian's Website: https://www.adriandaniels.co


Interested in learning how to start, launch and monetise a podcast? Check out the A to Z Podcasting Community for free: www.atozpodcasting.com/community

Listen to episode #003 to learn about Adrian's Quit and Switch journey.

Visit the Quit and Switch Website: https://quitandswitch.co


Connect with Adrian: https://linktr.ee/adriandaniels