By Comfort Barida
Genesis
Growing up, my mum owned a restaurant. So I got the early exposure to the joy and challenges of running a business from her. Although I wanted to train to become a medical doctor, I ended up studying statistics in the university. I wasn’t happy about my choice of course because I always believed that there was something more out there for me.
How I started
I had a natural talent in cooking and baking, so I decided to harness and develop my skills and make money from it. I went to a Culinary school in Abuja and became a pastry chef. After leaving Culinary school, I started working at my sister’s restaurant called Kemi’s Delicacies. It was there that I started baking.
Challenges
Generally, you face regular challenges associated with doing business in Nigeria. With the prices of things going up daily, erratic power supply, logistics and not having a bakery of my own, etc., things were pretty difficult when I started. So right now I’m building my brand and putting myself out there. I needed to register the company name with Corporate Affairs Commission and push my name out there through social media and pubic relations marketing.
Looking back
I am thankful to God for giving me the insight that I can be something more than what I envisioned myself to be. I am glad I never gave up on my dreams and that I had the opportunity to bake a lot of sand cake growing up.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
If you have a dream, go for it. Dream big, but be ready to start small. Life is about the journey. Steve Jobs famously said “your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life”. So do not limit yourself because you can only go as far as you can dream.
Future plans
The truth is that is it takes a lot to achieve quality. I plan to be the very best at what I do, to officially open my own pastry shop and something else. I also plan for my brand to be recognised nationwide.
Wuraola Osode is a Pastry Chef and the CEO of Puregold Pastry, a confectionary company based in Abuja
Tel: +2348155205593
Email: puregoldpastries@gmail.com
BBPin: 24CE332A
