The health benefits of Nigerian Bitter leaf soup featuring Margaret Benwari of Maggiemoos kitchen
Please let’s get to meet you.
My name is Margaret Benwari and I am the founder of Maggiemooskitchen. We are one of the most foremost businesses in Lagos delivering the best of Nigerian meals. We cater for events and also take orders for home delivery. We have been in operation for more than four years. I am a graduate of Accounting from the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu.
How did the idea for your business come about and what was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
It started out as a hobby and it gradually became a business because I love to cook.
In today’s world, one cannot rely on just a 9-5 job and I wanted to create a legacy for myself
How did you come up with the name for your company?
Quite frankly maggiemoo happens to be a nickname my cousin gave me that has stuck with me so it wasn’t difficult to make it my brand name since it’s also part of my name.
How did you raise funding for your venture and build a successful customer base?
I saved and started really small. Feedbacks, I try to get them as much as I can and stay in touch as well. I have also gotten referrals from some of my loyal customers.
How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
My most successful so far has been also online adverts
Can you describe/outline your typical day, how has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
My typical day is on the average for now but I have people working with me so it helps me go by.
It has affected it in different ways but the most important thing is I still have time for my family, my work does not take my family time.
What stands you out in a very competitive market you?
The values we offer are numerous from doing a lot of research on the vast array of foods that we make, which is tailored to the specification our clients want them. We often advise our clients on the nutritional value of foods. For example, our Bitter leaf soup helps regulate the blood cholesterol level, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Similarly, the leaf can be consumed to treat fever, feverish conditions, joint aches, different levels of intestinal complaints, stomach aches, as well as parasite-induced diseases like malaria.
How do you generate new ideas?
Just from seeing things and putting my imaginations into reality, I would have an open mindset and always be ready to try new things.
What is your greatest fear as an entrepreneur, and how do you manage it?
Hmmm.. In the cooking industry the fear is the fact that there are a lot of people into it but because I know the quality of what I offer, I know I have an edge over others.
How do you define success? Is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Seeing your product/service everywhere. No, I don’t think there is any regular pattern to becoming a successful entrepreneur aside from hard work, and in fact, success can come in the oddest way.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur and your most satisfying business moment?
Being the boss of my own time as I believe that’s one of the biggest assets you can have as an entrepreneur. And the most satisfying moment is surely when my customers are happy and satisfied.
What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs?
Brace up! It’s a tough world out there for entrepreneurs. You have to be intentional in the pursuit of business goals and think of creating value that puts you ahead of others.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I would only start it at an earlier time. There is always an entrepreneurial curve for all startups. The earlier you start learning the ropes of the trade the better.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Knowledge, research, and hard work.
For enquiries, you can reach MaggieMoo
