Hamamat Montia Opens Up on 10-Year Struggle Before IShowSpeed Stream Boosted Her Shea Butter Business

Ghanaian entrepreneur and former Miss Malaika winner, Hamamat Montia, has opened up about the decade-long struggles she endured in building her shea butter business before a viral livestream by IShowSpeed propelled her brand onto the global stage.

In a video shared on Instagram, Hamamat candidly spoke about the exhaustion, financial hardship, and emotional challenges she faced while nurturing her business over the past 10 years. She revealed that there were moments she felt completely drained and nearly gave up on her dream.

According to her, many people assume her recent success happened overnight. However, she explained that just before her breakthrough, she was financially strained, struggling to pay her bills, and constantly questioning whether she was on the right path.

“There were times I was so tired,” she shared. “I have been doing this for 10 years broke, unable to pay my bills, and asking myself if I should continue.”

Hamamat disclosed that she even left Ghana for a period before returning, a decision she described as part of her journey. Shortly after her return, a miracle happened, though many people believed her rise to prominence was sudden.

During IShowSpeed’s visit to Ghana, Hamamat had the opportunity to showcase her shea butter enterprise to a global audience through his livestream. The exposure significantly boosted her business, with her shea butter massage treatments reportedly fully booked through March within just two weeks.

Her brand has since gained widespread attention from the media, corporate institutions, government officials, and international markets across Africa and beyond.

On February 10, 2026, she was invited to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts in Accra, where she was honored as Ghana’s Shea Butter Ambassador in recognition of her contribution to the shea butter industry, cultural promotion, and women’s empowerment.

In her Instagram message, she encouraged others who may be struggling not to lose hope.

“I’m sharing this because if you are tired right now, it doesn’t always mean you are on the wrong path,” she said. “Sometimes, it means you are closer to your mission.”

With her appointment, Hamamat has become Ghana’s first Shea Butter Ambassador a milestone she says she will always cherish.

By Francis Quasie