ENTREPRENEURS FORUM ~ an Interview with ABUH ESTHER, CEO ENZO CONFECTIONERIES.

                 

I am Abuh, Esther Enyo. I’m from Dekina Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria. I currently reside in Orozo, FCT Abuja.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

I attended Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo, FCT Abuja, where I obtained (NABTEB) and later acquired my SSCE (WAEC) from City Royal Secondary School, Nyanya, FCT Abuja. I went further to Kogi State University, where I acquired my first degree in Statistics. I served in the year 2017 in Kwara State.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am into confectionery (the art of cake making, decoration, special delicacy, event planning, cake crafting etc) for all kinds of events (birthday, wedding, launching etc.).

WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS?

I observed that inspite of the abundance of resources within the country, about 80% of the population are leaving below poverty line. I said to myself, “Rather than awaiting a white collar job or being idle, why don’t I use my passion for cake making and cooking to make money?” So I began acquiring information and skills to help produce goods and deliver first class services. The skills that stuck with me the most is the production, sales and marketing of confectioneries, food, hospitality, and for me, this was quite empowering. I have continually sort more skills and knowledge in this remarkable art, and this led to the birth of Enzo Confectionery.

 DOES IT IN ANY WAY RELATE TO YOUR EDUCATION?

I guess when you hear Statistics, the next thing that comes to your mind is calculation (mathematics). There’s no correlation between the two. For now, while still in this business, I am also pursuing my career, of which I know one way or the other will support my business.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?

My greatest inspiration is the thought of delivering outstanding confectionery goods and services and ensuring my brand is the best in the entire confectionery world.

 WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING?

Apparently, I cannot say am there yet. Issues like unavailability of equipment, machinery, and also the size of the market, as an upcoming business, have been a limiting factor, especially to the flow of work, which has been little. But that cannot stop me from the height I hope to attain. Challenges will come, but how you overcome them is what matters.

 WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SETBACK YOU EVER EXPERIENCED?

The first wedding cake I was contracted to do, due to the large production that was needed, and knowing I don’t have a large oven that can speed up the process for me, I had to make use of a bread factory oven, and the outcome wasn’t good because most of the cake got burnt. That was a big loss for me.

 HOW DID YOU RECOVER FROM IT?

In life, once plan A fails Plan B can be just as good as or better than Plan A. With hard work and perseverance, I had to obtain a large oven.

 WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR?                             
 In this line of business, I have been exposed to leadership skills. It has exposed me to marketing, sourcing of finance, business structuring, and management. This has stirred the entrepreneurial desire to win spirit. Nearly 20 persons have undergone my tutelage and this has sharpened my leadership skills. The referrals we’ve been getting from far and near have been encouraging. This is just a few of my achievements of many more to come.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL IN BUSINESS?

My role model is Buddy Valastro's, owner of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, N.J. his popular show, Cake Boss, has inspired me a lot.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP GOALS?

To be among the best leading confectioneries, both home and abroad, and to own a training school that will train, equip and empower women.

 DO YOU BELIEVE IN GIVING BACK TO THE SOCIETY?

I do, and one of the ways I intend doing that is to train at least 200 women within 12 months and empower them for free. This action, I know, will reduce poverty in most homes and an overall contribution to national development.

 ADVICE TO OTHER ENTREPRENEURS

My advice first goes to intending entrepreneur to avoid procrastination; it has eaten a lot of people. Start something today; I bet you, there’s no work anywhere, but you can create one for yourself and for people. Never wait to start big, because that big might never come. And secondly, to my fellow entrepreneurs, if you really want to scale up and become successful in any area, you need to invest in yourself because, ‘’if you empty your pocket to fill your brain, your brain will fill your pocket over and over again.’’ Lastly, I leave you with this quote from Benjamin Disraeli: ‘’The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes."

 HOW DO WE CONTACT YOU?

Phone number- 08130843473                         
facebook Abuh E Esther                               
facebook page- enzoconfectionery
Instagram - @enzoconfectionery
Twitter- @estygroovy

VOTE OF THANKS.
Thanks for this very  rare opportunity and the privilege of being featured on this platform. Thanks to kumbakk.blogspot.Com for having me on this platform.