Meet Adanne Uche the CEO of Ady’s Agro. Exquisite Magazine got the opportunity to interview this inspiring woman, so read as she shares her story of having a Capital of just 30,000 naira that has bloomed into a thriving Agro-processing Company.
Tell Us About Yourself
Adanne Uche is the Founder/CEO of Ady’s Agro Processing Limited, she is a graduate of Foreign Languages and Literature (French & German) from the University of Port Harcourt.
She is a mother of 4 amazing children. I am a passionate and resilient healthy food advocate. A mentor and private chef.
What Does Your Business Do And How It Started:
Ady’s started in 2016 with just a N30,000 loan from my brother to start my grocery shopping and home-delivery service, where we shop cooking ingredients for busy executives from the traditional open market in Nigeria.
This service exposed me to unhealthy food practices, food adulteration and post-harvest losses of certain food ingredients, then the effect of COVID-19 and understanding the nutritional needs of Nigerian consumers, we pivoted fully in 2020 to building Ady’s Agro-processing Limited is an agro-processing business based in Lagos, Nigeria that is tasked with providing families with healthier cooking ingredients to ensure for a nutritious and delicious meal.
We make this possible with our hygienically processed and packaged palm oil, crayfish, single spices, mixed seasoning blends etc, in Nigeria and the world where African dishes are appreciated.
How Do You Solve Your Customers Challenge?
Feedback from our customers showed the heavily adulterated cooking ingredients, the unhealthy food practices in the open market, post-harvest losses of foods and malnutrition ravaging Nigeria.
Ady’s offers healthier products, promotes healthy eating habits, supports sustainable and ethical food production, reducing food waste, and malnutrition in Nigeria. We achieve this by providing high-quality, natural seasoning blends made with locally sourced ingredients. Our products address food adulteration by using natural and organic ingredients and avoiding harmful additives or fillers. Ady’s also partners with local farmers and suppliers to ensure the authenticity and quality of their ingredients.
We provide healthier alternatives for consumers to avoid unhealthy additives present in many conventional seasoning products, such as MSG, preservatives, and artificial flavours.
Ady’s also offers sustainable palm oil products, supporting environmentally and socially responsible choices. We address limited options by providing a variety of healthy seasoning blends made with natural ingredients that cater to different dietary needs.
Moreover, Ady’s promotes healthy eating habits by offering low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-unhealthy-fat seasoning blends. We provide educational resources and cooking tips to help customers make healthier food choices.
We also partner with local farmers and suppliers to reduce post-harvest losses by providing proper food storage and handling training, increasing small-scale farmers’ income, and addressing malnutrition by offering seasoning blends rich in vitamins and minerals.
Our strategic plan for 2023 is to partner with local organizations, dieticians, nutritionists, and hospitals to provide nutritional education and support to communities in need.
Who Are Your Ideal Customers?
Ady’s targets health-conscious consumers who are searching for healthier and sustainable options to conventional seasoning and palm oil products.
This includes individuals who are interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, and who seek out healthy food options.
Also, we cater to environmentally conscious customers who prioritize the environmental impact of their food choices and want to support sustainable and ethical food production.
We also cater to ethically conscious customers who are concerned about the human rights impact of the palm oil industry and want to support companies that prioritize ethical sourcing practices.
Furthermore, Ady’s serves medical customers who require specific diets due to terminal or non-terminal health issues, such as HBP, Diabetes, Autism, Down Syndrome, PCOS, Alzheimer’s, etc.
Can You Describe Your Typical Day?
My day depends on my mood and activities. Sometimes I just do not want to get out of bed due to exhaustion, but typically, I do school, have my quiet time, and go to the office or any meeting or event.
By 2 pm, I must drop whatever to pick up the children. Then, I could either go back to work if there is an urgent need or just stay back with the children. Later, in the day, I cook and then work (I work late always, because I function better around 10 pm – 12 pm).
How Has Being An Entrepreneur Affected Your Family Life?
Being an entrepreneur has affected my life both positively and negatively – Positive is that I am available and can pay attention to my children (which gives me the luxury of time) as against when I was working. Negatively, I overwork myself.
What Motivates You?
The fact that I am impacting my immediate community one healthy spice at a time. I am also motivated when people encourage me because of where I am coming from, makes all the difference.
What Is Your Greatest Fear?
I am afraid of not being enough to fulfil my calling.
How Do You Define Success?
Business Success is having Ady’s in every home cupboard while personal success means my children not going through the hard and rough times I witnessed, then seeing that young women are encouraged and get inspiration from my story/journey.
What Is Your Favorite Aspect Of Being An Entrepreneur?
When orders come through and I deliver with no hassles.
If You Had The Chance To Start Your Career Over Again, What Would You Do Differently?
I would have a proper business plan with start-up costs well identified and routed to the market.
What Would You Say Are Your Top Three Skills Needed To Be A Successful Entrepreneur?
I would say they are:
Resilience: Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges and obstacles when starting and growing a business, such as financial setbacks, competition, and failure. Being resilient and having the ability to bounce back from setbacks is a crucial skill for success.
Creativity: Entrepreneurs need to have the ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems. They should be able to identify new opportunities and think outside the box to differentiate their business from competitors.
Effective communication: Entrepreneurs need to be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including investors, employees, customers, and suppliers. They need to be able to convey their vision, goals, and ideas clearly and persuasively, and be able to build strong relationships with others.
Who Has Been Your Greatest Inspiration?
My Mum, Nne Kalu.
What Advice Would You Give To People Who Want To Become Entrepreneurs?
Being an entrepreneur is not a walk in the park, but it is a worthy journey when you do the right things:
Identify a problem to solve: The best businesses are those that solve real problems for people. Look for areas where you can make a difference and add value to people’s lives. Conduct market research and talk to potential customers to get a better understanding of their needs and pain points.
Develop a solid business plan: A well-structured business plan is essential for success. It should include a detailed analysis of the market, target customers, competitors, marketing strategy, financial projections, and milestones. Your business plan will guide you through the early stages of your business and help you stay on track.
Build a strong team: Surround yourself with talented and motivated people who share your vision and values. Hire people who complement your skills and can help you achieve your goals. Building a strong team takes time and effort, but it is essential for the long-term success of your business.
Be willing to take risks: Starting a business involves taking risks, and it’s important to be comfortable with uncertainty. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Don’t be afraid to fail, as failures can often lead to valuable lessons and insights.
Stay focused and persistent: Building a successful business takes time and effort. Stay focused on your goals, and don’t let setbacks or failures discourage you. Persistence is key, and you should be prepared to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve your vision.
Seek advice and mentorship: There is a wealth of knowledge and expertise available from other entrepreneurs, mentors, and advisors. Seek advice and mentorship from people who have been successful in your industry or have experience in building a business. They can provide valuable insights and help you avoid common pitfalls.
What Business-related Book Has Inspired You The Most?
The Bible, it has every solution to my problems and how I should tackle them.
If You Were To Write A Book About Yourself, What Would You Name It?
Be unapologetically YOU, by Adanne.
Please Share The Contact Details You Wish To Be Made Public.
Adanne Uche, info@adysagro.com 08082834865.
Instagram: Adysagro
