Successfully transitioning from the comfort of paid employment to become a full time entrepreneur and going to Business School are the two ventures that made Ogochukwu believe in herself. Ogochukwu Nwachukwu, also known as OG, runs a healthy life style business called Bounties Honey
In this exclusive interview, OG shares with us how she was able to muster the courage to transition from her 9-5 to create a business that works for her, and of course pays her too. Read on to find out more about Ogochukwu Nwachukwu and her brand, Bounties Honey.
Please introduce yourself and your background.
My name is Ogochukwu Nwachukwu, my background is in HR and I wasn’t fulfilled with the usual 9-5 work life, so I decided to open a side business regarding something I was passionate about.
How did Pishon Foods start?
It started from a search of a healthy life style. When I moved back I noticed everyone was looking for a substitute of healthy living and I had just changed my lifestyle so I decided to incorporate it into a business.
How did you come about the name and what does it mean?
I started it as a part time business and I wanted a unique name, so I choose Pishon. Which is the name of the river in the Garden of Eden. Indicating the beginning, where all good things started from. The inception of growth and greatness.
What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?
Living healthy is my niche, both in my meal plan and in my daily life routine. A lot of people began the awareness of a healthy being, holistic all round.
Where do you find the inspiration for your products?
I draw inspiration from helping individuals, especially women adopt a healthy lifestyle choice, which in turn will reduce a good of number of health challenges attributed to processed foods.
Can you remember one of the first products you made and What makes it memorable?
The first products I released were tester bottles of honey to survey the Nigerian market space.
What are the challenges you face in your business?
- Funding
- Penetration into the market space as result of the existing norm of sugar consumption
- Delay in returns from 3rd party vendors
Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?
None what so ever
What is your most popular product?
Bounties Honey
To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?
Our products are 100% local and produced in Taraba
What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?
I look to build and expand my business locally and internationally, with exportation as a greater part of that plan.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People will be surprised to learn that I started training to be a doctor and changed my degree in my final year to the bachelor of arts.
What profession would you be in if you weren’t in the Food Industry
I would have been a HR professional.
If you could give one piece of advice to youths who want to start their own business, what would it be?
My advice will be “don’t take short cuts, go through the process”
