LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Roki Foods Ltd, a food processing and bundling company offering affordable, nutritious, and convenient food bundles for middle-income earners in Nigeria
Ifeyinwa Ogar is the visionary founder of Roki Foods, a company dedicated to helping middle-income earners in Nigeria save money on grocery shopping. With a robust background in commercial banking, Ifeyinwa brings eight years of experience as a Relationship Manager and Branch Manager. Her academic achievements include a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Economics, which have equipped her with a deep understanding of human behaviour and economic principles.
In 2018, Ifeyinwa made a bold transition from banking to entrepreneurship, driven by her passion for creating impactful solutions. As a calculated and successful business merchant, she identified a critical need in the market and established Roki Foods. Her leadership and strategic insights have propelled the company to new heights, providing affordable and quality food options to thousands of families. Ifeyinwa's journey is a testament to her commitment to innovation, economic empowerment, and community development. The business has created jobs for 20 people.
Lioness Weekender spoke to Ifeyinwa Ogar about her entrepreneurial inspiration, her business building journey to date, and her aspirations for the future.
What does your company do?
Roki Foods operates as a food processing and bundling company in Nigeria. Our primary focus is to offer affordable, nutritious, and convenient food bundles for middle-income earners in Nigeria through our FOOD BUNDLE NETWORK (FBN). The subscription-based model enables monthly deliveries of foodstuff, ranging from basic to premium bundles, catering to diverse customer preferences and budgets.
What inspired you to start your company?
I was inspired to start my company by my personal experience of spending a significant portion of our income on food alone. This realization highlighted the need for a solution to help middle-income families manage their grocery expenses more efficiently. By creating Roki Foods, I aimed to provide affordable, quality food options that alleviate the financial burden on households.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our food bundling services offer middle-income families the opportunity to save up to 30% on their grocery spending, ensuring that quality, nutritious food is accessible to more households. Additionally, we emphasize quality and authenticity in our products, such as our palm oil and spices.
Tell us a little about your team:
The Roki Foods team is a diverse group of dedicated professionals who are passionate about driving change in the food industry and empowering local communities. Our team is led by Ifeyinwa Ogar, the founder and CEO, who brings over eight years of experience in commercial banking and a deep understanding of business management. She is supported by our COO, Oyua Ogar, who ensures smooth operations across all facets of the business.
Our General Manager, Emmanuel George, oversees daily business activities and strategic planning, while Saviour Okon, our Accountant, manages the financial health of the company. Magdalene Imoh, our Production and Procurement Manager, is responsible for sourcing and producing high-quality products. Eno Inua handles inventory management, ensuring our supply chain runs efficiently, and Edidiong Okon, our Quality Assurance Personnel, maintains the high standards of our products.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My entrepreneurial journey began in high school when I started selling candies to my classmates. This early experience ignited a passion for business and taught me the basics of entrepreneurship. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family further fueled my aspirations; my mother was a trader for 35 years, and I learned valuable lessons from her dedication and perseverance.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
One thing is certain: I don't want Roki Foods to remain a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) for long. Our future plans are ambitious and focused on significant growth and expansion.
Firstly, we are set to expand our operations to Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub. This move will not only increase our market reach but also create additional job opportunities and strengthen our presence in the country's largest city. We believe this expansion is crucial for scaling our operations and making a larger impact.
Additionally, we have robust plans for exporting our products. We aim to position three of our major products for export to meet the growing demand among African communities in Western countries. This initiative will generate foreign exchange, strengthen the Nigerian currency, and further support economic empowerment and job creation. By entering international markets, we can showcase the quality of Nigerian produce and tap into new revenue streams.
Our aspirations are clear: to grow Roki Foods into a leading player in the food industry, both locally and internationally, while continuing to support and empower local farmers and contribute to food security and affordability.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
What gives me the most satisfaction as an entrepreneur is seeing the incredible growth and transformation of our business. Starting with just one product and expanding to over 120 products is immensely rewarding. Growing our revenue from an annual turnover of less than $10,000 to six figures in 2023 is a significant achievement that fills me with pride.
Watching the business I started from the trunk of my car evolve into a full production facility has been an extraordinary journey. Every milestone we've reached, from the first sale to our current success, brings a deep sense of fulfillment. The challenges we've overcome and the progress we've made reinforce my passion and commitment to our mission.
Knowing that we are making a real impact—providing value to our customers, creating jobs, and empowering communities—adds to the satisfaction. Seeing the tangible results of our hard work and dedication is incredibly gratifying and motivates me to continue striving for even greater heights.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The biggest piece of advice I can give to other women looking to start-up is to conquer your fears. Once you can get rid of fear, you will go places.
Be fearless in your pursuits and decisions. Embrace the challenges and uncertainties with confidence.
Tenacity is crucial in navigating the entrepreneurship journey. The path will have its ups and downs, but staying persistent and resilient will help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.
To learn more about Roki Foods Ltd, contact Ifeyinwa Ogar via email: ifeyinwaogar@rokifoods.com or visit the company’s website or social media platforms.
Website: http://www.rokifoods.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/roki_foods?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rokifoods/
