This Woman Left MTN Job To Cook Soup, The Husband Left Journalism To Sew Cloth

Pascal Oparada Itoro and husband, Emmanuel Effiong-Bright both left what will be considered by many as plum jobs to focus on what has been a side hustle for them for many years.

The couple has made a success of their respective ventures and tell a gripping story of the journey that took them from getting regular pay cheques to providng employment for many.

They take their two sons along on the journey where the kids are also adapting and getting to know what their parents do.

When passion calls, it does not matter what type of plum job you do, you get pulled in the direction of destiny. Itoro Effiong-Bright has an interesting story about how she moved into the telecoms industry, first as a 9mobile staff before landing a lucrative job at Africa’s largest telecoms operator, MTN.

But she did not let go of her side hustle. Itoro tells Legit.ng that she was combining cooking with her job at 9Mobile and later, MTN, which leaves her tired as she heads to work on the days she would be on duty.

The birth of an idea Ibomsoup, as her outfit is called, which is named after the tribe in Nigeria reputed to have the most culinary skills in the country, is now becoming a household name.

She said: “It was not easy at the beginning because I was looking to see those who do the same thing as I do. It took me like four years before I saw someone doing what we do.” The unusual thing about Ibomsoup, Itoro says, is that it makes life easy for busy households with a busy schedule.

The entrepreneur said “Imagine you coming back late from work with your wife and both of you are tired and your wife wants to head to the kitchen to prepapre a meal and you tell her, please let me order soup. Imagine the relief she would feel.” Background experience pushes the brand.

The gap-toothed and vivacious mother of two said her job as a customer relations officer in the telecoms industry is helping shape her relationship with her clients. She seamlessly relates with them which makes them question if she has a background in customer service. “Sometimes customers will vow never to have anything to do with us again, but because of our approach, you will see them coming back to us.”

The author of ‘Make Your Food Your Medicine and the host of a cooking show on DStv, says for the fact that Nigerians order soup from them is no reason to believe they are lazy.

“It’s just convenience and time-saving for people with choked schedules.”

Enter Emma and Emmagination Her success in the kitchen, she says, is attributable to her husband, Emmanuel Effiong-Bright, who uses his experience in journalism and branding to make Ibomsoup stand out. Emma is a social media buff who never misses an opportunity to showcase his wife’s creativity in the kitchen.

A public speaker, a trainer and a branding expert, Emmanuel’s branding outfit, Emmagination Clotheum, has been an instant hit with many as he uses his charisma to make the brand a go-to place for clients.

According to Emmanuel, his stint in journalism is helping to push the brands. His public speaking dexterity is winning hearts – and clients for both businesses.

Source: Legit

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com