Nigerian Entrepreneur, Olawunmi Durojaiye, Is The Founder Of Zorababyfood, A Company That Produces Chemical Free Healthy Baby Cereals

Nigerian young mum Olawunmi Durojaiye is talented and innovative, she started Zorababyfood, a company that produces chemical free healthy baby food. The inspiration came when her son was six months old and she wanted to give him solid food free of chemicals. She speaks to Elorasblog in this interview.

Please tell us a little bit about your background?

I am Olawunmi Durojaiye, a proud product of the bustling city of Ibadan, located in the heart of Oyo state, but originated from Ijebu Igbo Ogun state Nigeria. As a youngster, my childhood wasn’t exactly a rollicking ride, but it certainly wasn’t a snooze fest either – it was somewhere in between. Fortunately, I had the privilege of growing up with my three fantastic sisters who all played a vital part in shaping who I am today. While my upbringing may not have been a fairytale, it was a story worth telling.

I attended Amazing Grace International School for my primary education and continued on to School of Science Ibadan for my secondary education. I went on to study Science Laboratory Technology at Polytechnic Ibadan, then furthered my education at Atiba University. Currently, I am studying Pediatric Nutrition at Nestle Institute, constantly pursuing my passion for healthcare and nutrition.

What was your dream profession growing up?

As a kid, I dreamt of being a doctor, with a passion for healthcare that was hard to shake off. Though my career goals may have evolved, my fascination for medicine remains intact.

Can you share with me your journey to entrepreneurship?

My journey as an entrepreneur began unexpectedly. While pursuing knowledge and seeking personal growth, I discovered a new side of myself that I never knew existed – the desire to create and build something meaningful. But it wasn’t an easy journey. Building a business came with a lot of challenges, particularly with fear being a constant presence. One of the biggest challenges I faced was venturing into the online space. As someone who cherishes privacy, it was difficult to put myself out there. However, I realized that it was important to show my face and connect with my audience to build trust and establish a brand identity.

Despite the challenges, there were also notable accomplishments that made the journey worthwhile. Among them were obtaining NAFDAC accreditation and securing our first distributorship deal. These were huge milestones that validated our business and gave us a sense of achievement.

But I couldn’t have done it alone. I am fortunate to have the best husband in the world who has been my rock and support system throughout this journey. I am grateful for his unwavering encouragement and guidance.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and that resilience and perseverance are key ingredients for success. I’m still learning and growing every day, but I’m excited about what the future holds and the impact our business will continue to make.

Where did you get the information?

The story behind my brand is deeply personal. When my second child reached six months and was ready to try solid foods, I was frustrated by the lack of healthy options on the market. I wanted to provide my child with nutritious, chemical-free food, but I couldn’t find anything that met my standards. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. After extensive research and experimentation, I started using my daughter as specimen I.e lab rat for my experimentation till we got something convincing which makes me developed a line of healthy baby cereals that I am proud to offer to other mothers in the same position.

Our first production was packed into party packs for my daughter’s first birthday, and the positive feedback we received from parents confirmed that we were on the right track. It was a defining moment that inspired me to bring healthy baby food options to a wider audience.

Photos and a video of Zorababyfood

Why did you choose the name Zorababyfood?

The name Zorababyfood is a combination of my daughter’s name, Elora, and my middle name, Nazrah. I wanted to create a brand that reflected the love and care that I put into developing healthy and nutritious baby foods. As fate would have it, my son’s name is Zachariah, which also fits perfectly with the name.

The name Zorababyfood is not just a name but a representation of the passion and dedication I have towards providing healthy food options for babies.

Many Young youths like you have business ideas but lack the fund to start, how we’re you able to raise funds for your business?

I would say if you are looking for the right fund you might not start, I started mine with #3000, so my advise would be just start even with the little in your hand , you would be surprised how much result you would get.

Did you attend any form of training before setting up this business?

Yes, I attended various forms of training before starting this business. I believe that knowledge is readily available, and I took advantage of the wealth of information available online. In addition to conducting extensive research on product development, I also took online training courses on sales and business management. This training helped me acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to run a successful business.

Where do you get the ingredient for Zorababyfood?

We sourced our ingredients from major food markets in Lagos and Ogun state

Can you share with me the setbacks and challenges you’ve encountered in this business?

As with any business, we have faced numerous setbacks and challenges along the way. However, I view every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow, and use it to our advantage. Some of the challenges we have encountered include the increasing cost of raw materials, transportation issues, and unfavorable government policies. Despite these obstacles, we have learned to be flexible and resilient, and have continually adapted our strategies to overcome them. Ultimately, we believe that every challenge we face is an opportunity for us to become a stronger and more successful business.

Where can we find zorababyfood?

You can find zorababy food in some supermarket in southwest and also some baby stores in lagos for now.

Any plans on exporting your product?

Yes, we are absolutely planning on exporting our products. At ZoraBabyFood, we are committed to providing healthy and nutritious cereal options for children not just in Nigeria, but across the continent and around the world. By exporting our products, we can help ensure that even more children have access to wholesome and natural food options that promote growth and development. We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and we are dedicated to doing our part to make this a reality.

What is the best advise from your experience you can give to the youth who aspire to invest in a business like yours?

As someone who has experienced the challenges of starting a business in Nigeria, my advice to young entrepreneurs is to be resilient and patient. Understand that the Nigerian business environment can be tough, but with determination and a willingness to learn and adapt, success is achievable. Don’t be afraid to seek help and mentorship, and always prioritize the quality of your product or service. Finally, remember that entrepreneurship is a journey, and failures along the way should be seen as opportunities to learn and grow.

Where do you see zorababyfood in 5 years?

“In 5 years time, I see Zorababyfood as a well-known and trusted brand in the baby food industry, with a strong presence in the Nigerian market and expanding into other African countries. We also aim to continue empowering women in our community and beyond through job creation and skills development programs.”

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com