My Idea was like a light bulb moment- Anwuli Azaino

She is a mother, a wife and the brain behind  the finger food company PARTY BITES. I am privileged to have tasted the burger and chicken wings and no doubt, It is one of the best I have had in recent times.... let's leave that for another day........ read all about her business below;

What is your business is all about? 

Party bites is a gourmet finger food company. We offer the most delicious burgers, hotdogs and chicken wings that can be ordered daily for breakfast/lunch/dinner . We also cater for larger parties and events.

How did you start your business? 

 I’ve always had a passion for cooking so whenever I throw a party, I make all the finger food myself which my friends all love. I’m such a foodie and have never really been satisfied with the burgers or chicken wings I’ve had in Nigeria so I decided to create a recipe that actually blew my mind . The idea for party bites was like a light bulb moment . I was just sitting down having a conversation with my sister and the idea popped into my head. A week later, party bites was born . 

Your inspiration/s 

My mother who was an extremely successful business woman who was able to achieve so much and still be a doting and involved mother to 5 children. 

"My son is my sole driving force: I want to be better for him, make him proud and I want to imbibe a strong work ethic in him from his young age".

Challenges you faced and still facing

The biggest challenge I would say is combining and running a business with my full time job. I also have a problem with delegating task: I don’t feel anyone can do it as well as I can and as a result, I am constantly burnt out. Also, creating time to take my son for all his extracurricular activities and play dates has not been easy . 

How do you overcome your challenges? 

I am learning to delegate more: I have also been teaching and training my staff to produce meals that are worthy of our customers . If I don’t feel something is good enough to be sent out, they have to start from the scratch.

See some mouth-watering photos below

..........From my kitchen to the World!

On duty

looks good, tastes even better!

The CEO and some of her members of Staff

Passion Keeps me going by Truby.

Growing up, I've always had a thing for buying and selling: I remember as a child my mum's pantry was my Super market. I made paper money and would sell to my siblings who were my customers, sadly, I couldn't capture those moments on camera but still have vivid pictures of everything in my memory. It's so funny how from a young age one starts exhibiting their passion which might sometimes unnoticed....lol. 

Fast forward to university days, I helped people sell all sorts, started getting my stock from wholesalers and then was able to travel to the UK on a tourist visa to get my own stock. It was so thrilling to see student's buy excitedly from me....lol.. Considering my love for fashion and eye for handpicking the good stuff🤩 it was no surprise as I sold out easily on dresses, lingerie, footwear and so on as well as whatever my hands could lay on. I would go from room to room telling anyone who cared to listen I've got stuff for sale and was always so excited at any business venture, idea or finding a good supplier.

Furthermore, I found myself in the UK: I studied, got married and relocated permanently but didn't think much of business at the time as I couldn't deal with all the hassle of  shipping and deliveries in Nigeria. Thereafter, I got a judge from my darling friend who said to me.....

“Ruby,  you live in a land of all the goodies.....people travel to come source for stock but you are right in it. Open an Instagram page she said”!

 That was how the Truby brand was birthed. It has grown through the years and I can proudly say our  personal shopping service is second to none. I source luxury goods for clients; the likes of Gucci, LV, Hermes, and any luxury brands from the UK to clients all over the world. Our Customer service is top-notch as I always ensure my clients get the best at all times even in the midst of challenges.

The Truby Luxury shopping brand has evolved and still evolving, though it is a bit too demanding considering the fact that I am  a mum and a career-oriented woman, nevertheless, I always find  a way to manage it all. #Passionkeepsmegoing.

I have love and passion for what I do - George Okoro

He is indeed one of Abuja's finest photographers of all times and is gradually taken over the World of photography by storm. 

Mr. George is one person who speaks with so much love and passion for what he does-

 "I have always loved doing photography- I had my regular 9 to 5 job but I always wanted to do something I enjoyed doing and everything tilted towards the camera (I love taking pictures)".

It was indeed an interesting session, I was totally blown away by all the things he said......

What is your brand all about?

This is a photography Establishment that will evolve into a full media brand which would include videography, cinematography as well as advertisement.

How did you start off your business?

I started off with a website - www.mybirthdaypictures.com... Initially, I take pictures of celebrants on their birthdays and upload them on the website then get people to view their pictures in the website. After a while, I started taking professional pictures during weddings and events.

Your inspiration/s?
Obi somto, Jide Alakija, Dudu guy, Aisha Augi Kuta and Aisha Dapchi.


Any challenges?
First of all, importation of equipment due to the exchange rates. Secondly, most people don't value  the work of a photographer (some people even think most photographers are dropouts) and lastly, the pressure that comes with the work- the massive pressure that comes with delivering the services expected as well as the pressure to be better and do better than before.

How do you overcome your challenges?

"I have come too far to quit now and the truth is I get a lot of motivation from people which helps me stay strong in what I do. Also, I am a very ambitious person- I want  to prove to people that you can do what your mind sets to do in photography [no limitations at all]......WE ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN! in fact, we are about to do bigger things in the nearest future"

 Some of George's masterpieces can be seen below;

The TV Lady Kim Oprah

the CEO of Play network Mr Charles Okpalaeke

One of my Favourites- Mr and Mrs Anujo

Our favourite Fabric Merchant.. Mrs Yinka Yahaya

Are you a lover of fabrics - Ankara, laces , guipure, sequins, African prints and a lot more? Then you will love this exclusive interview with Mrs Yinka Yahaya - the CEO of Tamirah Fabrics: a fabric company that can supply different colours and textures of fabrics you will just love. We were graced by her real and kind words, read below;

HOW YOU STARTED YOUR BUSINESS:-

To be honest with you I never saw myself as an Entrepreneur. After my service year, I got a job at Bouygues Construction Nigeria Limited (A French Construction Company In Abuja) as a Senior I.T. Procurement Officer. Though I was at the top of my career, I still didn't feel fulfilled enough. Four years later, I had to quit to build my home (as I am a big believer of FAMILY OVER EVERYTHING) thereby moving back to Ilorin, Kwara State. I simply got tired of waiting on getting another credible White Collar Job after moving back to Ilorin so I decided to do something I actually enjoy doing.

On the 1st of January 2018, I started the brand Tamirah fabrics - I have always had a good eye for unique and elegant prints - You Know The Popular Saying "LOOKING GOOD IS GOOD BUSINESS" 👌🏽😅

WHAT YOUR BUSINESS IS ALL ABOUT:-

TAMIRAH FABRICS is far beyond selling of fabrics and ankara aso-ebi services but to also impact lives positively with her inspirational, educative and informative contents such as women supporting women initiative, running a style hub to solve wax prints fashion & style problems for all body size/sex and also promote/support other fashion vendors.

Lastly, I am no COACH, but there are some specific principles I follow. Hence, as a big advocate of the youths embracing the legitimate use of DIGITAL MARKETING, I have been able to train over 70 youths with collaboration with Miss EBONY AMBASSADOR UK 2018 on "HOW TO DEVELOP AN IDEAL NICHE FOR AN ONLINE BUSINESS" both as seminars and secondary school visitation.

YOUR INSPIRATION (Who Inspired You To Do What You Do):-

I would say I find the huge driving force within myself. Personally, I have always had a thing for wax prints and with time I got to realise I influence people through posts of my Styles on my personal page and it became a sort of Style-Look book so thinking of the audience I gathered without even making an effort. I decided to invest more time in building a community that influences the acceptance of African Prints positively. My source of inspiration is the desire to meet my goals💪🏾

CHALLENGES & HOW YOU OVERCAME THEM:-

One of the biggest challenges I faced when I started Tamirah fabrics was "GAINING CUSTOMERS' TRUST", especially with the fact that it's strictly an online store and situated in ILORIN, Kwara-State.

"I have been able to bridge that gap by maintaining consistency with valuable content pillar and positive feedback/reviews to attract and convert prospects into customers and these customers into repeat buyers".

Beautiful fabrics, beautiful styles, see below;

"We set up Tap Initiative because of failed governance" - Martin Obono

"Bad governance" he says is a major inspiration that led to the birth of Tap initiative- a non-governmental organisation founded by a patriotic lawyer Mr Martin Mbasekei Obono. The organisation seeks to enhance the potentials of Nigerians in terms of the human capital in Nigeria through three thematic areas; Governance and Democracy,  Human rights and Justice as well as Transparency and accountability.

it was indeed an educative and interactive time spent- one that will make realise and understand how powerful you are as a young Nigerian. 

How did you start Tap initiative? 

First of all, Tap was initiated because of the idea of trying to restructure the country so we thought that we need to do a lot of advocacy in terms of moving and changing the constitution to accommodate local government autonomy, state autonomy, fiscal federalism and the rest of that so we thought the best thing to do is to carry out a campaign for a constitutional amendment which would make us have a structured economy. 

" The thought of having a peaceful country." At the point when there was crisis between the North and South was when Tap actually had its first project called STATE OF NG and what we did with that project was to partner with a organisations like Global Shapers, Play Network, Yali Network, etc to then have a kind of symposium where we brought in youth ethnic groups - Ohaneze Youth forum, Arewa Youths  Consultative forum, Oduduwa Nationalistic Coalition as well as Ijaw Youths Council. We deliberated over the issues and decided that the best thing for us is to stay together as ONE NIGERIA." 

What is your major inspiration? 

Failed governance! if you look around you, you would notice that the government has in one or the other failed us that is why Tap initiative came to life. I can rightly say that bad government is my major inspiration.

Any challenge/s?

Funding is a major challenge.

How do you face your challenges?

 We get individuals and organisations to partner with us.

You can catch Mr Obono on any Nigerian TV Station- trust me, his boldness and level of patriotism is one that needs to be showcased. See more photos of him after the cut;

Recently, Tap Initiative had a project called PVC Football which was a voters' education project - they brought together Nigerian Football Legends like  Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba, Samson Siasia, Uche Okechukwu, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and a host of others ( they made up the Nigerian National Team that won the African Cup of Nations  against Zambia in 1994) to play against the Nigerian National Team that won the African Cup of Nations  against Burkina-Faso in 2013 - the likes of Joseph Yobo and a host of others. 

The event was held at Yaba Tech sport complex Lagos on the 9th of February, 2019 and the only thing people needed to get in to watch the match is their PVCs....... Interesting!

See photos of the event below;

Joseph Yobo

Kanu Nwankwo

Victor Ikpeba and Samson Siasia

The teams and the officials!

Your PVC admits!