By Monika Platek » Richard Addo-Kessie has been hustling for many
years. It started way back in Grade 5, when he stood on sidewalks
convincing people to buy boxes of chocolates.
He was really good at it. So good, in fact, that he developed the nickname “Cash” for having so many bills in his pockets at such a young age. But he quickly grew out of selling candy on street corners, and his business plans are now focused on bigger dreams.
“I’m so happy I had that job because it showed me that I’m responsible for the results I want to get,” says Addo-Kessie. That’s a lesson he lives by every day. He’s currently studying Marketing at Sheridan College, and the success he’s experiencing in the real world is the sweeter story.
The 22-year-old is the president and founder of Change Promotions, a Brampton-based company that promotes and showcases the talented youth in our community. The company tagline – Dreams into Reality and Goals into Achievements! – is more than a slogan; for Addo-Kessie, it has become a life motto.
Instead of hustling people to buy chocolates, he spends his days attending meetings and planning events. He takes his skills from those candy-selling days to sell DVD copies of their latest Talent Showcase Production called “Shining Starz II”. With each $20 sale, his dream is becoming a reality. “We encourage people to pursue their dreams and realize they can do what they love to do,” Addo-Kessie says.
His dream is to see the dreams of others come to life, and that is the mission shared by everyone at Change Promotions. He’s not usually in the spotlight because he’s constantly on the lookout for aspiring artists, musicians, and athletes that dream to be there instead. Addo-Kessie’s job is to set up the show, bring an audience, and prove that their aspirations can become achievements.
“We want to make people realize that anything is possible,” says Addo-Kessie. His own confidence also comes from the success Change Promotions has experienced since its beginnings in 2005. It started with Addo-Kessie’s idea to bring together the best ballers in the Brampton area for a 3-on-3 basketball competition. Now in its third year, the “See Low 3on3” basketball tournament is one the company’s biggest events.
It hasn’t always been easy to get the ball rolling, but persistence is one of Addo-Kessie’s best qualities. Although he’s heard his fair share of “NO!” from people along the way, he’s also heard many say “YES!”
When the ball started bouncing, more ideas started flowing. They decided to take their search for talent off the court and onto the stage. Thus began the “Shining Starz” Talent Showcase, a quest to seek out the talented youth in the Region of Peel.
The second annual event took place at the Rose Theatre in Brampton in January, and it sold out a week before the first act took the stage. The hype surrounding “Shining Starz” attracted close to 200 acts to audition, all with the hope of landing a spot in the show. But not everyone made the cut, and with only 20 spots to fill – many were turned down.
“We want people to understand that if you really want something you have to work hard for it. I know that because it’s something I do every day. If you didn’t make the show this year, figure out how to be better and come back next year,” says Addo-Kessie.
He practices what he preaches, as he works continuously to make Change Promotions bigger and better with each passing year.
His ultimate goal is to hold the “Shining Starz” Talent Showcase at one of Toronto’s largest venues – and sell out every seat. Even then, Addo-Kessie won’t be interested in getting the acknowledgement. After all, this isn’t about him – it’s about creating a positive youth movement. He may have thought of the idea, but the support of family, friends, and random strangers along the way has made it real.
“I really appreciate my team because the people that are involved with Change Promotions really want to beand we have a very strong foundation of representatives right now. At the end of the day, I’m going to need a lot of help if I want this to grow,” says Addo-Kessie.
If he hopes to expand the business, it will take a lot of persistence to get even more support and dollars from corporate and community sponsors. It’s something he’s been training for since his chocolate-selling days. “I go through a lot of obstacles, but that comes with the game. If you really want something, nothing should discourage you.”
• Monika Platek is the host and producer of ME-TV, a weekly show about current events and amazing people on Rogers Television Mississauga. She is also a motivational speaker with a focus on boosting confidence.
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