Behind every highlight reel is a fight you didn’t see.

In this episode of The Shaft Conversations, Kelly Smith shares the real story—his father’s trek across Africa for a chance in Spain, the grit that traveled down the bloodline, learning Spanish, returning to Ghana, impostor moments at PRESEC and KNUST, missing early “break-in” chances, and finally carving a career in global banking—while launching a data consultancy on the side.

In this episode:

- The unseen cost of a “made it” story

- Ambition + exposure: why seeing it changes everything

- PRESEC debate, leadership, and impostor syndrome

- Missing opportunities (and how to prepare better)

- Breaking into banking without the “standard” path

- Building a business while working a full-time finance role

- Practical advice for 18–25 year olds feeling lost

Drop your takeaway in the comments: What’s one goal you’re working backwards from this year?

If this inspired you, like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs the nudge.

#ShaftConversations, #InspiringStories, #ImmigrantStories, #Grit, #Ambition, #Exposure, #CareerAdvice, #BankingCareers, #FinanceCareers, #Entrepreneurship, #DataAnalytics, #AfricanDiaspora, #PRESEC, #GhanaToGlobal, #CanaryWharf, #Mindset, #ImpostorSyndrome, #SelfImprovement, #Motivation, #Podcast

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Appreciations for this Episode:

Host: Andy & Erasmus

Video Production: Andrews Terkpertey

Video Editing: Samuel Okuadjo

Social Media Management: Pearl Kwadade

Timestamps:

00:00 –04:20 | Origins & Setup

04:20 –29:13 | Growth Years & Direction

30:15 –35:24 | Breaking In

35:24 –46:58 | Setbacks & Support

46:58 –56:23 | What’s Next