Meet Olu Onibokun-oni

We recently connected with Olu Onibokun-oni and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olu, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Born into a family of all girls and being the first daughter of the family, I had a lot of responsibilities. So, I found purpose through a combination of personal experiences, responsilities, challenges, and my deep-rooted love for cooking.

Growing up, I was trained in traditional cooking methods by my grandmother and strict mom, and this early exposure helped foster my passion for food.

As I faced and overcame difficult circumstances, I found joy and fulfillment in sharing this passion with others, especially during my stay at home preparing for college, I work by my mom’s side in catering and selling foodstuffs. This continued in my college years when friends would gather to enjoy my meals. I remember cooking with my siblings and giving the foods out to people we know they could not afford it without letting our parents to know. Just remembering how we sneak the foods out, always put a smile on my face. 😀

This sense of community, combined with the cultural values instilled in me,(my parents had always been givers) guided me to create a business that not only celebrates Nigerian cuisine but also allows me to give back to others.

My purpose became clear as I realized that through cooking, I could share my love, cultural heritage, and also support those in need, just as I was supported in my journey.

My business(POONI LLC) is now a platform where I blend my passion with purpose, allowing me to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

POONI LLC operates under the brands Otys and Jollof & Others, specializing in authentic Nigerian cuisine through a variety of offerings such as meal prep services, catering, and retail products.

The company emphasizes healthy, organic ingredients, some sourced from our own small Otys farm, and caters to various dietary preferences including vegan, gluten-free, and high-protein options.

Additionally, the business will feature a vibrant swallow food for lunch and Nigeria Night Street Food dining experience, offering traditional Nigerian street food in the evenings.

Our plan is to have our products in stores soon.

At its core, POONI LLC is driven by a commitment to sharing cultural heritage and community support through every meal.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, here are the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey:

1. Resilience: This resilience helped me turn setbacks into stepping stones, starting my business despite all odds(health, capital, etc)

2. My Passion for Cooking: My early love for cooking, instilled by my grandmother and mother, shaped not only my career path but also the purpose behind my business. Passion gave me the energy and drive to share my culture and create authentic, high-quality products.

3. Adaptability and Learning: I demonstrated the ability to learn from both my personal experiences and my business journey. Whether it was learning traditional cooking methods or navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, my willingness to grow made a huge impact.

For those early in their journey, focus on building resilience, following your passion, be optimistic, and staying adaptable. Surround yourself with people who can mentor and support you, and always stay curious and eager to learn new skills. This combination will help you navigate the ups and downs of any entrepreneurial or personal venture.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Capital is the number one obstacle that I’ve encountered in growing my business. Unfortunately, many banks are reluctant to assist startups, believing that new businesses fail within the first year. However, what they often overlook is that many startups fail because they don’t have adequate capital to sustain themselves, particularly the genuine, dedicated ones that are driven to succeed.

I’ve learned that the solution isn’t rushing into the market but rather taking things one step at a time. I am not in competition with anyone, though, like any entrepreneur, I do want to grow quickly and get my products out there. However, I’ve realized that growth must be sustainable and aligned with the resources I have at hand.

To overcome this, I’ve adopted a slow and steady approach. I’ve focused on what I can afford, participating in farmers markets, community events, and pop-ups. These avenues will allow me to build awareness of my brand while keeping operational costs manageable. Every step helps me build a customer base, refine my products, and generate some revenue, which I reinvest into the business.

By taking this route, I would be able to gradually expand without overextending myself financially. My focus is on building a solid foundation that will enable my business to thrive in the long run, even without immediate access to traditional financing. As I continue to participate in local events and connect directly with my customers, I can slowly but surely grow my brand on my own terms, while seeking opportunities like grants or alternative forms of funding that could support future expansion.

This method allows me to stay in control of my business and grow it at a pace that aligns with the resources I have, while keeping the integrity and quality of my products intact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pooni.org
• Instagram: jollofnothers
• Facebook: poonillc

Image Credits

Olu