Virtual University

‘Entrepreneurship Is an Illusion If You Want Free Time’ – Sally Mercer Quagraine

Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Dream Desserts, Madam Sally Mercer Quagraine, has cautioned women against entering entrepreneurship under the assumption that it offers flexibility and personal freedom, insisting that business ownership can be more demanding than formal employment. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with host Ps. Albert Ocran, as part of the March HERizon series ahead of International Women’s Day, exploring women in leadership, she described the popular belief that running a business guarantees more time for oneself as misleading, stressing that entrepreneurship often demands greater structure, accountability, and personal sacrifice than many anticipate. “Entrepreneurship is an illusion if you think you will have more time for yourself. If what you are doing is in demand, it will demand you. You must plan, discipline yourself, and accept that it comes with responsibility,” she stated. According to her, the reality of business ownership involves overhead costs, staff management, quality control, and continuous improvement, not just independence. Madam Quagraine stressed that once a business moves from a home setup to a commercial space, the stakes become higher and the margin for error reduces. “You are no longer playing at it. You have rent, overheads, and people to pay. That demands planning and discipline,” she noted. She also addressed the lingering stigma around technical and hands-on work, arguing that society must rethink the notion that working with one’s hands reflects academic weakness. On leadership and growth, she underscored the importance of humility and openness to feedback, especially in service-driven industries. “If a client is not happy, there is something there for you to learn. You may not like how it sounds, but feedback helps you improve. Rejecting it can cost you your standards and your clients,” she said. She urged young women to resist the pressure for quick financial gains and instead focus on building enduring enterprises. “The culture now is about quick money. But building something meaningful takes patience. It is not easy, but if it is your passion, stay with it and trust God with the gift He has given you,” she said. About Springboard, Your Virtual University Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor. Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on  Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel (Facebook & YouTube)  and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. Marketing & Communications Springboard Road Show Foundation