Rita Ekeh is an inspirational lady who amidst her life struggles, unwanted pregnancy, unfinished degree, and unplanned marriage, held her catering dreams dear to her heart, since the age of 10. Against all odds, she built a thriving catering service “SaladsNmore”, which provides fresh, healthy prepared meals for health-conscious individuals, professionals with busy lifestyles, and anyone seeking to have a balanced diet, and a nutritious dining experience.
She has gained several food safety certifications over the years, worked with top fast food restaurants in Lagos State Nigeria, and is currently back in school studying Public Administration in YabaTech. Her love for colourful meals and a keen eye for the preservation of salads, birthed SaladsNmore which provides continental and Nigerian local meals. Grab a seat and Let’s read up on her story
Tell us a bit about Rita Ekeh and SaladsNmore
Rita Ekeh is the CEO of SaladsNmore catering services. I’m from Kogi state, I am from a family of 16 children, and I grew up in the middle belt. I started cooking for my large family at the age of 10. I developed an interest in cooking because I didn’t like eating the type of food that I saw growing up. I like colorful veggies in food but I wasn’t getting any of that so I started cooking the type of food that I wanted to see and eat.
And that was how my quest for colourful and tasty food started and fortunately for me then, I came across Iyabo Lawani’s cooking show on NTA (Maggi Good Food Moment) and that was it for me. I kept on watching and practising every recipe that I watched, and the most satisfying for me was watching my siblings and parents eat my food and giving me encouraging reviews and approvals. That was how my love for cooking and serving people grew, and to date, the best aspect of catering to me is serving and watching people eat in satisfaction and in love for what they put in their mouths. Though I still don’t like cooking for myself and I don’t cook whenever I find myself all alone.
Hmm, Maggi Good Food Moment fueled your passion. When did you decide to go fully into catering?
After secondary school, I enrolled in a catering school in Benue State and did a six-month training, from there I started catering for my family and friends until I relocated to Lagos where I did another training in catering and built my experience by working with some top fast foods restaurant here in Lagos. I didn’t stop at working in restaurants as my goal in catering is not just limited to attending to people in restaurants but also catering to larger crowds at the same time, then I went ahead to learn the events part of catering by working with one of the best events food vendor, and that was How, Where and Why I decided to answer the call of entrepreneurship.
I don’t take the opportunity to learn and grow for granted I have a few people that are already where I desire to be in the industry that I still learn from. I mean, I acquired 133 more recipes from Hilda Baci in September 2023. I have also taken 4 food safety courses online and I am currently working on taking the big one which is the Level 3 food safety certificate.
I am a single mom with 4kids and after 9 years of dropping out from the University where I was studying Law, I am back to school again for growth and development and this time around I am studying Public Administration in YabaTech.
I have always desired to be educationally empowered I was limited by an unplanned marriage that came about because I got pregnant out of wedlock and wanted to cover my mistake with marriage. I accepted the situation and thought I had reached my bus stop in the aspect of relationship and marriage, but it was not so for him. I mean, at my traditional wedding as the attention of the day I was anxious and could not wait for the day to be over so I’d go hide somewhere as the introvert that I am, then the first word that came out of my “supposed” husband’s mouth was “why you ugly like this”? I was like “Is that what you should say to me to calm my anxiety”?. Like, he told me that he was going to frustrate me until I moved my things out of his life but I didn’t take him seriously.
Though all the signs were there, his attitude towards me showed it all and he did not hesitate to remind me that our marriage and living together was the greatest mistake of his life. He did not just despise me alone but with the kids as well, I have been on a permanent block mode on his phone and he does not hesitate to block his children as well, to the point that after hearing that the last child was sick and on admission he blocked the children again and we had to reach him through his friend with days of begging him to support with the hospital bill. My reasons for accepting the torture both emotionally and psychologically were that he didn’t have much and with the hope that things would get better and he would come around, but to date, he has relocated abroad and earning in pounds yet he does not provide or support the children’s well-fare without so many persuasions and begging from his friends.
But I’m glad all the limitations are over now and I’m taking it one step at a time to build back my life and be the better version of myself.
Wow, as fate will have it, saladsNmore has grown to a staple name, what would you say your business caters to?
My business meets the need for fresh, healthy prepared meals for health-conscious individuals, professionals with busy lifestyles, families seeking to have a balanced diet and a nutritious dining experience, and the events industry.
SaladsNmore started with the passion to serve healthy and safe Salads at parties, homes and offices, but we are not limited to salads alone. Our menu includes both Continental and Nigerian meals.
The motivation to start this business grew while I was working with an event catering company. I noticed while on duty that salad was not getting much attention and was not treated especially like the other dishes, I was also the one that was always protecting it and creating space for it. I was still the one taking the chafing dish with salad to drink vendors with chillers and ice and begging them to help me keep it safe till we were ready to start serving. So I thought to myself that the reason people eat salad at parties and go down with runny stomachs could be the lack of proper care and not ensuring that the safety measures are in place, and it could also be that the workload is usually too much for one vendor to handle. So I came to the conclusion that someone needs to be known for running a salad bar and giving it maximum attention, and ensuring food safety is a top priority, and no one falls ill from eating salads, then I decided to be the one that will answer the call, and to the glory of God I have not heard or gotten any report of foodborne illness since I started and in doing that we solve our customer’s challenge by giving them options and the chance customize their orders to fit into their preferences and lifestyles.
Who would you say are your ideal customers?
My ideal customers are health-conscious individuals at home, at offices, or events.
Can you describe your typical day?
My day starts by 3 am when I don’t have a massive or urgent order
I study my daily devotional and command my day with prayers
I go through my messages and check my social media platforms for possible enquiry or orders
I do some stretching exercises
I make breakfast and sometimes lunch on the days that I have to go out very early and return at night.
Now my kids are back to school so I prepare them for school and take them to school
I attend to any available order
I keep tidying up as I go
My day goes fast and most times I don’t keep track of how it goes.
Being an entrepreneur must have affected your family life in some way, right?
Yes, Being an Entrepreneur has impacted my family life positively, I get to be in charge of my life and family. I also get to be in charge of my time thereby creating time for my family. I determine when I work and when I need to take a rest
What motivates you?
My Motivation has been channelled into being productive
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is the fear of not being able to provide for my kids basic needs
How do you define success?
I define success as the ability to be completely independent and able to solve major problems/challenges, while also having people who believe in and support your growth
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur is being able to do critical thinking and come up with relevant ideas and solutions to help people feel fulfilled. I also get to determine how much I want to earn or make on my preferred frequency, and most importantly, I get to be with my kids more often.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
If I have the chance to start all over again, I will get all the necessary certifications and get the paperwork done as soon as I get my brand name, and I will acquire a loan and launch out properly.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
The top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur for me, are;
- A positive mindset
- Effective decision making
- Your ability to accept and adapt to change
Lovely, Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration is Dr Tewa Onasanya, her consistency in doing so many things at the same time is a course I’d like to study.
What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs
- Build relationships and communication skills
- Be prepared to take risks, and lastly,
- Be intentional
What business-related books have inspired you the most?
“The Secret of a Millionaire Mindset” by Harv Eker and it’s still my favourite book business-wise.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
If I am to write a book about myself and my journey in life, it will be based on my story. My mistakes, regrets, missed opportunities and then my wins and how I overcame them.
What an inspiring story of Ekeh Rita, her spirit of resilience pulled her through life and birthed a top-notch catering service. You can reach out to her via these platforms
Contact details: Rita Ekeh 08068586240
Instagram: @saladsnmore_ng
Gmail: ritasdelight495@gmail.com
saladsnmorecateringservices@gmail.com
Exquisite magazine wishes her the best.
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
The Secret of A millionaire Mindset by Harv Eker and it’s still my favourite book business wise.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
If I am to write a book about myself and my journey in life, it will be based on my story. My mistakes, regrets, missed opportunities and then my wins and how I overcame them.
What an inspiring story of Ekeh Rita, her spirit of resilience pulled her through life and birthed a top-notch catering service. You can reach out to her via these platforms
Contact details: Rita Ekeh 08068586240
Instagram: @saladsnmore_ng
Gmail: ritasdelight495@gmail.com
saladsnmorecateringservices@gmail.com
Exquisite magazine wishes her the best and more successful and bigger catering events.
