Fashion Statement

Efua Mensah-Brown (’05) remembers being an “ordinary” college student.

She remembers living in Cone Hall her freshman year and so many of ‘those days,’ waking up at 7:55 a.m. for an 8 o’clock class at the Education Building. Efua remembers being an RA at Winburn and Southern Courtyard and the occasional 2 a.m. fire alarm going off. She even remembers Landrum and using her meal plan to buy Vanilla Coke, fruit snacks and Oreo cheesecake. “I was seriously convinced I was being ‘healthy’ because I walked everywhere,” said Efua. “Man, I was fit!”

She also remembers the amazing friends she made that still keep in touch, tailgating before football games and belting out the fight song every time as though it were the first time, and playing ‘capture the flag’ at night on Sweetheart Circle, hoping the game would never end. She especially remembers memorizing and singing the Georgia Southern University Alma Mater during graduation. “I was proud to be an Eagle!” said Efua. “I remember so much… I just love Georgia Southern and it will always have a place in my heart.”

But Efua has proven to be far from ordinary. Originally from Ghana, Efua grew up in Dubai but has spent the majority of her adult life in the United States. During her years at Georgia Southern, she majored in logistics and intermodal transportation, as well as economics with an emphasis in international business. After graduation, Efua worked as a management consultant for seven years, and went on to earn an MBA from the University of Chicago in 2011. That’s when she decided to take a leap of faith and become an entrepreneur. That’s how Proverbs by Efua was born.

“It has been an awesome adventure,” she said. “I have always wanted to make a difference in the world and have always wanted to have my own business. Once I learned about the gravity of the human trafficking problem, I felt a personal calling to do something about it. I decided to put these two passions together, and have been marching towards that goal ever since.”

Proverbs by Efua currently sells clothing (dresses, shirts, skirts) online. Efua describes her style as “very classic.” She wants her fashion to be accessible and easy to accessorize. “I am currently the only designer but it has been an amazing journey,” said Efua. “My first year after launching was a very exciting year. I learned so much about running my own business. I learned the difference between necessities and nice-to-haves. I also saw firsthand what was working and what wasn’t. These past few months have been about analysis and implementing what I’ve learned so far.”

Efua always envisioned starting a social company. Before she launched ProverbsbyEfua.com, her goal was to start a business that highlighted education. “I was inspired by the proverb: ‘Give a man some bread and he’ll eat for a day, teach him to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ At that point, I wanted to name the brand ‘To fish.’” However, the name was deemed too confusing. After brainstorming, a friend helped Efua settle on ‘Proverbs,’ which she says encompassed all of the meaningful, uplifting and life-changing proverbs. “When I began to learn of the gravity of human trafficking and decided that if I was going to make a difference in the world, I wanted to tackle an incredibly huge problem, I felt that ‘Proverbs’was still a relevant name. Proverbs state a general truth and give advice. My brand is about shining a light on the truth of human trafficking and on providing people with an everyday way to end it.”

Efua was drawn to the fashion industry because she truly enjoys it and believes that fashion is so ‘every day.’ “Everyone buys clothes and it is such an easy way for people to contribute to putting an end to a big problem,” said Efua. “Fighting for freedom, I believe, is something that should be a part of every aspect of our lives.” Today, 20 percent of Proverbs by Efua’s profits go directly to support the A21 Campaign, whose main goal is to end human trafficking in the 21st century. The other 80 percent goes to running the company, as well as raising awareness and educating people on how they, too, can help end human trafficking.

Not unlike her many memories of college life at Georgia Southern, there are no “typical” days for Efua. She admits she has had many triumphs in life, but also suffered her fair share of setbacks. “If I were to list the obstacles I’ve had to overcome in my life, it would take up many books. Although I cannot say I enjoyed these setbacks, I can say that without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Efua also says that her time at Georgia Southern was amazing and definitely played a key role in how far she has come. “There were so many people who helped me grow and who gave me opportunities to reach my full potential. Namely, Dr. Manrodt at the business school was very influential when it came to my major and career. Vickie Hawkins from housing was influential when it came to campus life and giving me an opportunity to experience it to the fullest… Dr. Jerry, Ms. Donna, and Todd and Megan Strain at the then Baptist Student Union, and Stewart Moody all had a hand in keeping me grounded.” Efua especially credits all the dedicated staff at the Center of International Centers, who helped her adjust to being in a new culture, when she arrived on campus.

“I honestly don’t believe you can achieve anything substantial and of value in life without challenges and obstacles,” says Efua. “Challenges build character, faith and perseverance. The greater the challenge, the greater the reward.”

“Whenever you take a stand into the unknown, the road will be riddled with obstacles. However, if it’s something you believe in, you have to be faithful to the calling and persevere. This is how I feel about my brand and I am proud of myself for not quitting when the going got rough.” And the world is starting to take notice. At the beginning of the year, Efua was featured in British Vogue. “It really helped to validate my business and it encouraged me to continue on in the cause,” she said.

Efua’s parents also worked hard to provide her and her entire family with strong educations and the ability to succeed in life. “Although life was great growing up, it wasn’t perfect,” said Efua. “I feel like it is those imperfections that have made me who I am. My family is definitely supportive although the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship may be a little hard for them to digest sometimes.”

That said, Efua has no regrets. “I want to be running a company that encourages and motivates people to take part in making a difference in the world, just by making a tiny change in their everyday life.”

And all of Eagle Nation can admire, and remember, Efua for that.

What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is defined as an illegal trade where humans are forced, coerced and/or tricked to be exploited sexually or for their labor.

• It is a $32 billion industry affecting 161 countries
• There are approximately 27 million slaves caught in human trafficking today
• Trafficking involves sexual and labor exploitation, but 90 percent of people are used for sexual exploitation: 80 percent of these are female, 50 percent of these are under the age of 18
• The average cost of a human slave is $90
• Without this increased push for awareness and funds, only 1 in 100,000 individuals will escape on their own
• Victims don’t normally try to get help because they fear additional harm to themselves and/or their families
• Human trafficking prevention is about a battle to free people, free individuals. Freeing people who could be our brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters

How you can help
Human trafficking has received an increasing spotlight over the past few years, but in addition to creating awareness, organizations who fight human trafficking also need money. Funds provide tangible help for boys and girls who are rescued. Additionally, if the traffickers are caught, money is needed to pay for any legal fees associated with their prosecution.

To donate to the A21 campaign.

For more about Proverbs by Efua: