Chief Executive Officer of Zara Boutique, Richard Brown, popularly known as Osebo, has narrated how humility opened the door for him to travel abroad.

Due to financial constraints, he became a school dropout and pushing trucks thereafter became his source of income.

According to him, he met a man who would always seek his services but refused to pay for them but Osebo said he never held it against him.

Speaking to Irene Adubea Aning on The Career Trail programme on Joy Learning TV, Osebo recalled that one day, the man handed him money and invited him to his village. When he got to his house, they welcomed him, offered him a chair, and water. Then the man came back with a brown envelope. Inside it was a passport. He told him it could take him to Germany or Italy and said he had never seen a young man(Osebo) so God-fearing and respectful.

Fast forward, Osebo said he arrived in Italy and, fortunately, he secured a job with a Nigerian Company .

“The work was tough. I went house to house, ringing bells, getting people’s attention. Some didn’t buy anything at first, only offering a small contribution. But within minutes, my pocket would be full. The sun was scorching, but I didn’t feel it; I was enjoying seeing money and knowing I could help my family,” he narrated.

He added that he exceeded the expectations of his employer, who trusted him with more work, and he still made progress with the business.

The Career Trail New Edition aired its 14th episode last week, , exploring Osebo’s early life and challenges. The next part of his story, showing how he turned his experiences abroad into a thriving fashion business in Ghana, will air on Saturday, September 20, at 4 p.m. on Joy Learning and 6:30 p.m. on Joy News.

On a separate occasion, the Zaraman urged young people to prioritize smart thinking over mere hard work if they aspire to attain financial success. According to him, intelligence and strategy play a more crucial role in wealth creation than physical effort alone.

Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Stella Dziedzorm at the 40th birthday celebration of business mogul and serial investor Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, Osebo emphasized that success requires a combination of effort and intelligence.

“Have you seen any rich man who is foolish before? You need to get a brain. If you don't have sense, you won't get money. So, you need to have sense before you think about how to get money. You need to use your brain to get money,” he said.

Osebo acknowledged the popular notion of working hard but stressed that strategic thinking is what truly sets successful people apart. He noted that many young people are unwilling to endure the level of hardship and sacrifice that self-made entrepreneurs like Quaye have faced.

"You can't just be like him. I’ve listened to one of his interviews. This guy has really suffered. And what he went through, most of the young guys today will not go through. Even when you ask them to do it, they won't do it. So, it's not easy to be like him," he remarked.

He encouraged the youth to embrace a mindset that combines resilience with innovative thinking, stating that wealth is not solely a product of labor but also of intelligence.

“Not too much hard work, but then you can use your brain and get money. So, if you want to be like him (Quaye), trust me, it's not going to be easy. You can be more than him, but you need to use your brain,” he advised.

Osebo’s remarks add to the growing conversation about redefining the path to financial success, urging young people to focus on strategic planning, innovation, and perseverance in their pursuit of wealth.

In 2024, rumours swirled that the boutique owner had been struggling with a serious illness for several months and had even undergone surgery in Italy.

This information was revealed by his close friend, Afia Schwarzenegger, during a live social media session with fans.

Before his rumoured health challenges, there had been various prophecies about attempts on his life.

The last time Osebo appeared online was approximately five months ago, when he became visibly emotional during an Instagram Live, openly weeping as he spoke to his followers.

Now, upon his return, Osebo received a warm welcome from friends, family, and supporters at Kotoka International Airport.

The CEO of Zara247 had been on hiatus since the launch of his 'Osebo Collection' in January, which was graced by prominent guests, including Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, various politicians, and other members of the East Legon Executive Club.