Running a food business could be a bit challenging, even when you are a fantastic chef, but Nneka Tomilola Adesanya, who is a food business consultant having over a decade of experience in the food business is here to help you grow.
Exquisite Magazine asked some questions and she answered. Let’s read up on her story.
Tell us about Yourself
My name is Nneka Tomilola Adesanya. The boisterous, happy-go-lucky, fun-to-be-with, joyful self.
I am a Food business consultant, an MC/ host, an entrepreneur, and a wife amongst many other hats that I wear.
What does your business do and how it started?
As a Food Business consultant, my expertise is to create specific solutions to help food businesses grow.
My journey started by running a Food business for over a decade. I started with selling small chops and transitioned fully into making a variety of Nigerian soups, I wanted my food business “Souper Dishes” to be the hub for indigenous Nigerian dishes, I passionately wanted Nigerian food to have global relevance so I went on to host a Nigerian Food exhibition in 2013 called “Buffet rush” then in 2017 called “Salt” where the journey to creating a Nigerian taste experience started. We went on to host another Nigerian taste experience in 2022 called Taste & See, a trademark of Souper dishes.
While these events went on, I had a number of foodpreneurs who didn’t stop reaching out for mentorship or some form of business advisory and support.
I had also sort for guidance at different points of my business growth and I dare say it wasn’t so easy to find particularly one tailored to my food business. I knew at that moment of getting so many requests for mentorship, there was a knowledge gap in my industry which had to be filled.
The Launch and Learn food business academy was birth and I fully transitioned to become a Food business consultant.
How do you solve your customer’s challenge?
My role allows me to listen to my client’s challenges and sometimes play the role of a counsellor, I am able to analyze based on data and market insights and I go ahead to offer creative solutions tailored to their food business needs.
I also provide a range of resources, guides and templates to help give the much-needed clarity my clients need in their food business.
Who are your ideal customers?
Food Business owners, Caterers, Startup food businesses and Food enthusiasts.
Can you describe/outline your typical day?
A typical day for me would be to get up early, spend some time praying and worshipping, get my children up and ready for school, run through the day with my husband and off we go to work.
I am at work for a couple of hours meeting with clients, creating content, and finishing up on pending tasks. I am back home to catch up with my children and help with their homework, get dinner ready and make the best of the evening.
Some days have me cooking and stocking up for the week while working remotely.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
I will say it has helped me build my family life and set my priorities straight
Being an entrepreneur has stretched my Faith to believe for more and increased my capacity too. I wonder how this journey would have been if I didn’t believe in God for everything.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by the possibilities of an idea I conceive coming to light.
I am motivated by the success of my friends and my clients, it reminds me never to stop
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear would honestly be to walk outside God’s will or get to a point where I no longer need God.
How do you define success?
We are a people through other People. Success to me is watching others succeed and having the pleasure of watching food businesses grow, people sending me gratitude notes of their growth
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
I like that as an entrepreneur I have inspired a whole lot of other people to make a courageous decision to start and own something too because they watched me do it and grow at it.
I particularly like that I can make time for my family and take on other leadership roles where I get to inspire others to take action in various aspects of their lives.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I think I would ask more questions before I make certain life decisions. I would like to take more risks and not overthink my decisions.
I would read and research about a subject matter much more than I ever did.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
1.) Confidence; you must be confident in the path you have chosen
2.) Resilience:- Have staying power
3.) Forgiveness; be quick to forgive and move past hurt so you can see what’s ahead.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My Husband has to be my greatest inspiration. His quest, selflessness and incredible belief to see me succeed and gain new grounds each day keeps me inspired to be and do better.
His Possibility and positive mentality are always an inspiration.
What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
I would advise entrepreneurs to move forward.
What you do or don’t do determines the outcome of generations coming. Don’t get stuck in the past, Move forward!
What business-related book has inspired you the most? (or, What is your favourite book?)
I have read a couple of business books but I would say a Favourite would be “The Art of the Start” by Guy Kawasaki
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
I would most likely call it “The Audacity of Trying” or “You can transition too”
Please share the contact details you wish to be made public
Instagram:- @thefoodbusinessconsultant
Email:-thefoodbusinessconsultant@gmail.com
