She quit her 9-5 job to start a thriving business from her passion as a baker. It takes another level of courage and tenacity to quit a job and start a business, so you can imagine why I couldn’t wait to share this interview with you.
Let’s meet the founder of Buttermilk Confectioneries
Please introduce yourself and your background
My name is Obiageli Ojo, the founder and chief baker of Buttermilk Confectioneries. I quit my 9-5 job about 11 years ago to raise my kids and discovered the passion in baking. I’m passionate about the work I do.
Tell us about your work. How did your company start?
Buttermilk Confectioneries is a bakery open to cater for all cakes, pastries, bread and confection needs. We have been in existence for about 9 years now. We make cakes for different occasions. Recently, we added breads to our menu. We love to try out new flavors from time to time and challenging decorating techniques to play around with. One of our unique selling points is using wholesome fresh ingredients without additional additives that can harm the body. Another is preparing the cakes in a very hygienic environment with lots of love and care.
How did you come about the brand name and what does it mean?
I came about the name Buttermilk in my quest to find something that will improve the appearance and taste of my products. Buttermilk is the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream. It is also cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk. It makes baked products moist and brings pleasant tangs to breads, pastries and cakes; that is why I chose the name. We add it to most of our products.
What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?
Producing and delivering wholesome pastries without artificial additives. I also love to simplify recipes to make them a bit more easy to work with and especially because of availability of quality ingredients in our country.
Where do you get the inspiration for your products
Mostly from my customers needs and desires and sometimes from watching trends on Pinterest and Instagram.
Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?
It was my daughter’s first birthday cakes, Sleeping Teddy and Dora the Explorer cakes, her favorite cartoons at the time. Everyone was amazed that I could do such intricate design without formal training. It was super delicious too.
What are some of the challenges you face in your business?
The challenges we face are availability and affordability of raw materials, industry regulations not thorough, electricity, lack of trained and qualified personnel and managing them, unhealthy competitions.
Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?
The only regret is that I didn’t start earlier knowing this is absolutely what I was destined to do. Apart from that, no regrets at all.
What is your most popular product?
That will be our Buttermilk Vanilla Cake. It has a unique taste you can’t mistake if you have tasted it once.
To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?
The use of local available materials to achieve great recipes.
What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?
My Short term goal is to provide quality affordable baked products in my community and my long term goal is to extend it to other neighborhood.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
The extent to which i can go to make a customer happy and satisfied.
What profession would you be in if you weren’t in this Industry?
Journalism. That was my first love before i discovered the baking passion.
To connect with Butter Milk Confectioneries, you can follow and contact her via:
Instagram: Buttermilkcakes
Whatshapp: 07063103754
