I was once a ‘shoeshine’ boy – KMJ

Joy Prime TV host and entrepreneur, Kpekpo Maxwell Justice, popularly known as KMJ, has opened up about his modest upbringing, revealing how he started working at a young age to support his family.

Speaking on The Career Trail program on Joy Learning TV and Joy News, KMJ said that during his Junior High School (JHS) days, when he was about 14 years old, he was compelled to take on small jobs to help his family survive.

School (JHS) days, around the age of 14, he would either shine shoes or sell water after school.

“I grew up doing shoeshine. And everybody who was part of my life at Obuasi will know this. When I was in JHS, after school I would go and do shoeshine. I had my own shoeshine box. At the time, too, my mom used to sell banku. So her banku stand was here, and my shoeshine box was right next to it,” he recounted.

KMJ also recalled how he made full use of his mother’s freezer to support his water-selling business.

“My mom had a big freezer, so I said I wouldn’t let it just be there. Back then, the water was called ‘Opanyin de panyin,’ and I would carry it on my head to sell,” he said.

Despite the humble nature of his work, KMJ said he never felt ashamed even though his schoolmates saw him selling pure water and shining shoes.

“I grew up knowing very well that if I wanted to be anything, I needed to work for it. So although my schoolmates saw me, I didn’t have a problem with that. I never felt shy,” he highlighted. 

He further revealed that the money he earned played a crucial role in supporting his family, especially since his father was mostly absent.

“My dad never used to live with us. So when my dad was away and we had no money, I fed the house with the money I made from shoeshine and selling pure water,” KMJ recalled.

Today, KMJ isn’t shining shoes, rather, he’s shining on TV screens, proving that no matter where you start, with hustle and heart, the humblest beginnings can lead to the brightest spotlight.

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