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Valerie Boakye

Read about Valerie's entrepreneurial journey

I recently completed my LLM in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law at Queen Mary University of London, with graduation scheduled for 2026. I am fascinated by how law can promote and protect innovation across technology and the creative industries while balancing the rights of businesses, creators and consumers. 

Inspired by my multicultural background, I am passionate about bringing people together, celebrating diversity and creating opportunities for genuine connection. Outside entrepreneurship, I enjoy travelling and learning new languages, which help me explore different perspectives and cultures. 

My business 

I founded VAMBE Project to bring people together through meaningful conversations. Its first product, ‘Dear African Parents’, is an Afrocentric conversation card game that takes the popular ‘African Parents’ hashtag from online discussions into conversations in person. Across five categories, it encourages conversations between generations and cultures, inviting players to honour the wider community that raised them. 

I am an entrepreneur because. . . 

I am inspired by creative freedom and enjoy bringing ideas to life. 

The problem I am trying to solve, and why it matters to me 

When I bought a conversation card game to play at home, I realised that its questions did not fully reflect my background and that some felt unsuitable. I saw a gap in the market for games that represent different cultures and communities. In an increasingly digital world, conversations can also feel superficial. I wanted to create something fun that encourages people to put their phones down, share their stories and explore culture, heritage and community. For me, it is about bringing storytelling back and making space for genuine connection. 

The achievement I am most proud of 

I am most proud of sticking with my idea and bringing the card game to life. There were times when I wanted to give up, especially as I had no previous experience of creating a product like this. Remembering why I started and the lasting impact I wanted to make helped me keep going. 

How Queen Mary supported my journey 

Queen Mary’s entrepreneurial community has supported me financially through the Grow It Award, as well as offering support and opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs. 

The advice I would give to a Queen Mary student or graduate who is considering starting something of their own 

Take the first step and challenge yourself to see what you can achieve through hard work and dedication. Find a mentor or an entrepreneurial community to support you along the way. These connections can help you build your network, stay inspired when things are difficult and find resources to help your business grow. 

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