Building business in Ghana, one battery at a time

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Kai Ryssdal: Whaddya suppose happens when a guy invents a board game that hits big, he sells it for enough to be comfortable, and then wants to do something that matters?

The story is told in a new book called “Bright Lights, No City.” Max Alexander wrote it. His brother Whit is the one with the board game. Cranium, from 15 years or so ago, was his idea.

Guys, good to have you with us.

Max Alexander: Thanks Kai.

Whit Alexander: Thanks Kai.

Ryssdal: So Whit, let’s set it up: You are inspired by a speech that Bill Gates gives at Davos a couple, three, four years ago, about creative capitalism — and you say to yourself, ’I’m going to go sell batteries in Ghana.’ How come?

Whit Alexander: Well it goes back further than that. You know, really, in my 20s, I lived and worked throughout west Africa, so really for decades, I’ve had this vision of there’s got to be a way to profitably and sustainably deliver tools to build better lives. And I said to myself, if I don’t do this now, when am I ever going to do it?

Source: Marketplace.org (link opens in a new window)