Chrisphy African Market is one of the leading African food marts in Niagara Falls, Canada and is owned by Ondo-born Canadian-based entrepreneur, Mrs. Olayinka Animasaun nee Abayomi. Aside been a foodpreneur, she also runs an NGO that feeds/caters for women and youths in Canada. They also speak against domestic violence.
In her recent interview with Princess Adeola Shittu, Publisher of Event Diary Lifestyle, Mrs. Olayinka Animasaun spoke on her life and career as a business owner in Canada. Enjoy!!!.
Tell us briefly about Mrs Yinka Abayomi Animasaun.
Thanks so much, I am Mrs Olayinka Animasaun nee Abayomi, the CEO of Chrispy African Market, Canada and I also run an NGO. I am from Esuru Akoko in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state. I attended St. Louis Girl's secondary school, Akure and from there I attended Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo for my OND. I proceeded to Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara state. I did some professional courses both in Nigeria and here in Canada. Likewise, I worked briefly in Nigeria before travelling to Canada. I was the branch manager of a microfinance bank at Ado-Odo, Ota in Ogun State and I also run a catering business on the other hand. Likewise, I have an NGO, that focused on women and youth empowerment and fighting against domestic violence. I thank God for where we are today, though, we are still pushing it.
Put us through your growing-up days?
Though I was born in Akoko, but I was raised and brought up in Akure. To me, I will say growing up was fun and as the firstborn of a family of 5, I enjoyed every bit of it. I went to a girl's school and at a time, I was in the boarding house, but when you are from a disciplinary family everything is about rules and regulations. So, it was not a bad idea, and the training they gave us then has helped to shape our lives. In a nutshell, I will say my parent prepared me for where I am today. So growing up was fun and full of lovely memories.
What inspired you to leave the country?
I left Nigeria in 2015, I won’t say it was an easy decision for me, but I am a product of domestic violence and at a stage, I realized I need to run for my life and save the future of my children, this was one of the reasons I relocated to Canada with my children and to the glory of God we are doing great. I was able to settle down and start afresh. Upon getting to Canada, I was working and at the same time I was doing my food business from my house before I know it; the food business became big, and I had to resign from my job to focus more on the food business.
Let's talk about your brand, how did you start it?
Hmmm, before leaving Nigeria I was a banker and also a caterer. I combined my job as a banker with the catering business, and this gave me an edge to know what I was doing when I got to Canada. It was not difficult for me to start the business here, though I have to start from home because the Government of Canada has rules backing every step, and we need to follow the due process. As a food lover, nobody can cook to satisfy or please us. I brought some products when I got to Canada then; it was like buying an unbranded product and I felt, I can't be eating this kind of product and getting the best one costs more, which led me to the business. At a stage, the brand name was changed, it used to be Christy African Market but now Chrispy African Market. I decided to use my catering experience in Nigeria to venture into the food business in Canada and that was how we started our brand 8 years ago and here we are today, giving thanks to God for the success so far.
How was it starting up a food business in Toronto, Canada?
Thank you, I'm based in the Niagara Falls region very close to the United States border, it's just 15 minutes drive to the border and not Toronto. It’s not easy and if anyone tells you it's easy over here to start a business, it’s a big lie. Compare to where I am coming from (Nigeria) where you can just put your store anywhere, here there is a process for everything. The first thing to do here in Canada is to get a license from the government because they don’t joke with food items/ products that are sold to the public. We went through all the processes before we started the business and to the glory of God, we added another outlet in December 2022 at our dream location in Niagara Falls.
Put us through your first 2 years as a business owner in Canada.
My first 2 years in the business were fine, and it was during that period I was able to build the brand and trust our people have for us. They trust our brand and services, and they see the quality of what we have for them, and this brings out the inner joy in me and my team. And I will say, trusting our brand has kept us going and is one of the reasons why Chrispy is standing to date. To the glory of God, we open our second location in Niagara Falls, one of the popular regions here. It's strictly for our Nigerian food and confectionery, for instance, we now produce "Agege bread" at Chrispy African Market. Our Agege bread is the same taste as the one they eat in Nigeria.
How were you able to achieve this?
In life, everything is achievable, once you can take the risk. It is something of pride for me when I see my country’s product flourishing. It's not that we don’t have Agege Bread here, but it's like someone buying from Lagos to Akure, the freshness is not 100%. So, I felt we can have a bakery here at Niagara Falls without waiting for the Agege bread coming from Akure to Lagos or Lagos to Akure before the region can eat bread. This is one of the several reasons we went into the bakery business. Aside from that, I also have a restaurant that can seat over a hundred people at ago and the space is open for events. It’s a home away from home for everyone visiting Canada, especially Niagara Falls, to enjoy the African taste of their favourite meal. We have started, and the response is encouraging.
How do you source for your product?
Thank you, before I venture into it, I was fully prepared and ready for the task ahead of me. All our food items are locally produced in Nigeria. I have a registered company and people that work for me back home in Nigeria. They make, source and get my products for me, we don't want to mess up with the brand and we want our clients to have value for their money. That is why everything that comes out from Chrispy African is locally made in Nigeria.
8 years down the lane as a business owner in Canada, share your experience with us.
It hasn’t been easy, compare to how our people view and rate aboard. One thing I have learned is that you have to work hard in other to meet and achieve your goals. Here, if you don’t work, you won’t eat, unlike in Nigeria where you will eat and live finer than those working. You see if the opportunities and social amenities we are enjoying here are in Nigeria, many of us will stay back home but in all, I will attribute my success story to God who enabled me to succeed here. Not everyone has that grace, but I'm grateful grace found me.
How many staff members do you have?
To the glory of God, we have 8 staffs that work with me.
How do you manage your business, and the children and still have time for yourself?
I must be sincere with you, it is only God that gives us rest, we don’t have time here in aboard reasons are because of the bills we pay, they don’t allow us to rest. There are times I don’t sleep up to 5 hours a week, I know it’s not good for my health but the bills are there. I am blessed with wonderful children who are part of my success story and I also have good and dedicated staff working for me. Managing the business and home has been God.
What other plans do you have?
My team and I are working on having Chrispy African in Nigeria, but once the time is reaped for it, we will surely let you know. Aside from that we also give tutorials to those who are willing to learn how to cook Nigerian food, by guiding them on the right recipe to use. By doing this, we are promoting our food and culture among white people.
So, white people want to learn how to make Nigerian food?
Yes, right now, I have more than 10 of them (white) that do call us when they want to cook African food, mostly Nigerian meals. We achieve this through video calls and I put them through the process. They love our food and appreciate our culture and tradition more than we do. It is we that are saying Nigeria is not good, but the question is: What have we been able to contribute to it? Many times we blame the government and the politicians for our failure, but we are not helping the matter. For instance, I had an encounter with one of those that do help me ship my goods from Lagos to Canada and they messed me up. I told them, who should we blame for their mess up, the government or the politicians? I love my country, I am proud of the country and I will always promote my country. God bless Nigeria.
Do you have time for socializing, in terms of attending social gatherings?
Yes, I do socialize and attend functions, don’t forget am a caterer, sometimes I attend as a guest and sometimes as a vendor.
How do you unwind?
Yes, I do. At any opportunity that I have, I want to have a good sleep in other to relax the brain. Though, I love to watch movies and am more relaxed doing my job.
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