Remember former Lagos State military governor, Captain Gbolahan Mudashiru?This delectable lady, despite being his only daughter, doesn’t seem to live in that elation in any way.
Mrs Openifoluwa Tejuosho is independent, industrious, dynamic and creative. Little wonder she was able to turn one of the Academic Staff Union of Universities-ASUU’s industrial actions into gains for herself, by embarking into the baking business. That stint has forever decided her destiny as today, though trained as a lawyer, Openifoluwa has found her place in the catering business and abandoned the wig and gown.
This gave birth to Opindos Bakery which is today serving the creme de la creme of the society. Wondering if she never had a training? Openifoluwa did train at Leith’s School of Food and Wine, UK, and has worked as a chef at the L’Meridien Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Recently, she officially opened The Muse Academy, a vocational school with focus on cooking. Here, she speaks on her journey into business, how her mum set the tone for her destiny and more. Excerpts:
WHO has been your greatest influence?
My mum is responsible for everything I am today. My mum did not spoil us but made sure we were grounded in domestic chores. She always said she would be the last person to train other people’s children- house helps, and have useless children. Hence, she ensured I swept, cooked and cleaned.
Back then, I didn’t know I would be a caterer. I thank my mum for the upbringing that I had because you cannot be a caterer and just sit there and be giving command; you have to be able to do it yourself.
I’m aware you studied Law, but why the switch to catering?
My journey into catering began several years ago, while still at the university. Actually, it was born out of one of the strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities-ASUU when universities were closed. This prompted my friends and I to look for something else to do. We started going for cooking classes, computer classes and some others, basically to keep us busy. Back at school after the strike, I still took up cooking jobs. That was how the business started informally. I started saving and buying one equipment after the other. This was when my first company, Opindos Limited, was born. Opindos later gave birth to the Muse.
You mean ASUU strike which is dreaded by many turned into a blessing for you?
Of course. It afforded me opportunity to learn unofficially and one-on-one with caterers. Getting somebody that was ready to release their trade secret, so to speak, was a huge challenge though. But I kept trying a couple of people who took me on board.
During that srike, I learnt fruit cake, I learnt how to make yoghurt, and how to bake bread as well. After By the time I finished from the University of Lagos, the Law School had been moved to Abuja and we were going to be the first set. I had just got married and was already having a little baby by that year. So, after weighing the options, instead of going to Abuja, I just went to Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London. I felt cooking would be better for me if I had to concentrate on motherhood.
What was your experience at Leith like?
It was not easy as I thought. They were very thorough, very precise; they checked everything. It was one of the toughest classes I ever had. You talk about the digestive system, you have to know about the science behind each ingredient, you have to know the classes of food and more. You also have to know how to cater for people based on their health conditions. It was a fantastic experience and great exposure. I saw ingredients that I had never heard of.
I am a versatile person. So, all I learnt there, I always find a way to convert infuse into our techniques here.
How did you feel when you made your first million from cooking?
I still remember the day I got my first big cheque and when it cleared; there was great happiness in knowing that I worked for it. I actually made my first big cheque through catering.
Every year, I handle the catering of the Africa Conference of Bishops. I also baked former president Obasanjo’s 70th birthday cake.
Where did the inspiration for Muse Academy come from?
Many mums have been coming to me to have one-on-one with their children that are having cooking challenges in marriage. Some of the children have been sent packing in marriage. We started classes in February, 2014, with children because while I was setting up the place, a lot of children came, saying they wanted to be part of the school. So, we have children from ages 11 to 15, and then our advanced cooking classes.
Has accessing credit been easy with you?
I don’t want things that will put me under pressure. So, any profit I make, I plough back into my business. That way, I don’t have to rely on accessing credits. I know how difficult it is and how capital has been a challenge to many who want to go into business. But I think no one should be afraid of starting small. I haven’t tried getting loan from the bank but I have heard that they give you a huge list of what you need to bring. That can be a challenge in Nigeria.
But with catering business, it’s okay as an SME. This one you have a cooker in your house and a pot. Don’t say I need an industrial oven; start with the one that you have and don’t spend your profits on shoes, bags , clothes and whatever. You have to be willing to sacrifice.
If you know you can’t make sacrifices and you’re not disciplined, just move away. Go and get a job where you can be paid salaries.
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