Changing The Narrative, One Business At A Time
Welcome to the second episode of this entrepreneurship series.You can read the first episode here to catch up.
Today’s story features the founder of Ghana Connekt and CEO of “Abekai Cuisine”.Cooking has always been her passion and so deciding to start a food business this year was not a difficult decision to make.
1.Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Catherine A. Blavo, and I have been in France for 4years . I came principally to further my studies.
2. What did you study in school?
I studied International Business Administration.
3. What motivated you to start a business?
My passion for cooking was my motivation. I have always loved to cook. Back home in Ghana and also here in France, you would often find me inviting friends over so we could have meals together. I cook during my leisure time.It is an art I genuinely enjoy. In France, I cook Ghanaian delicacies for Ghanaian students in my region. I also cook for events organised by the Ghanaian Students Association of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region(GHASA-AURA). I introduced everyone in my circle of friends to Ghanaian dishes and they loved it. I have a very wide range of friends ranging from Africans to French , Americans and Asians and they enjoy Ghanaian food. So, when COVID-19 was at its peak in France, and there was little or no work nor movement , I thought , “why not turn my passion into a money making venture”? It seemed like a great idea to be catering for the people in my community and beyond by cooking Ghanaian traditional recipes, and delivering it to clients in the comfort of their home, while earning a decent income.
4. How long have you been in business and what is the scope of your business?
I have been doing this for 4 years, but as a registered business , for about 3 months. I run a Ghanaian Restaurant that cooks Ghanaian traditional meals, sauces , snacks and natural drinks. For now , I focus only on deliveries and food events.
5. Did you need a lot of capital to start?
No, I didn’t need a lot of capital to start. However, there has been a need to invest more because demand is increasing, and the business has to grow accordingly.
6. Were you already familiar with owning a business back in Ghana?
Yes I was. I have been an entrepreneur for a while.
7. What are some setbacks you have faced and how have you been able to deal with them?
My major setback has been multi-tasking. From handling administrative work , book-keeping , graphic designing , creating content, handling my social media handles , cooking to organising events among others. It is not an easy task. As a young business, I don’t have the luxury of paying salaries, and so, I need to manage alone or with the help of friends who will be willing to render voluntary services.
8. How did you acquire the necessary information before starting?
I did lots of personal research, but I must say that, most of the information I had was gathered subconsciously through random conversations with friends and colleagues over the years.
9. How are you able to combine being a business owner with your other commitments?
It has been challenging but God has been my strength. Somehow, I am able to juggle all my other commitments perfectly and I am convinced that He directs my path and teaches my hands to labour. I submit my ways to Him and He in turn teaches me how to do all things faithfully.
It’s great to plan your day, I do that as well. However, I must say that, submitting those plans to God, gives you better perspective and good success.
10. Who inspires you the most?
A lot of people have inspired me on my journey. My mum, husband and kids inspire me greatly. I consider my mum, a warrior . As a single mother of four children , she went through it all . She was a commodity trader and owned a restaurant back in the day. She offered me my first shot at entrepreneurship at a very young age and I have never looked back since.
My husband and kids inspire me to be the best version of myself. They are my “Number 1" fans, holding it down for me always. Their faith in me and support is amazing.
11. What are your three favourite quotes that keep you going?
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”~ Nelson Mandella
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will”. ~Mahatma Gandhi
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”~Maya Angelou
12. Where do you see this business in the next 5–10 years?
I see “Abekai Cuisine” being a household name in France . Hopefully, well established in the French Restaurant Industry in Lyon and our packaged products being sold in most, if not all supermarkets across France.
13. What will you tell International students who plan to venture into entrepreneurship?
Go for it! Wherever there is a will , there is definitely a way!
14. How and where can we contact you for purchase? [ social media handles, contact numbers, address, and pick up points]
Kindly follow us on facebook & Instagram @abekaicuisine . you can contact us on 0033753055201 or send us a mail on abekaighanacuisine@gmail.com
Thanks for taking time off to share your experience with us Catherine. We will get the word out there and we wish you all the best!