Evelyn Okoloh
Evelyn Okoloh is a Geology graduate and ex-banker married with three kids. She runs her business, Eves Kitchen, in Lagos.
Evelyn Okoloh is a Geology graduate and ex-banker married with three kids. She runs her business, Eves Kitchen, in Lagos.
I AM a seven years cancer survivor, having been diagnosed of stage-three breast cancer in 2010. I went through surgery chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was confirmed cancer free in March 2013 in an Indian hospital. Three months later there was a relapse, which prompted my resort to healthy alternative treatment, this involved a 360 degrees turnaround in my lifestyle.
The focus majorly was the organic cold pressed juices made from vegetables and I became an exercise addict (at least an hour daily). In the course of this I began to get request from patients who also are undergoing same challenges. I counsel, I prepared meal plans and vegetable juices for free.
The positive result coming from my counsel and products, made me to know it was time to cash the idea. And that is where we are now
What problems does your business solve?
We provide healthy alternatives in form of organic cold-pressed juices, healthy snacks for our customers. At Eves Kitchen, we strive to deliver natural, great tasting products that can be enjoyed by all. We are committed to meeting consumers’ needs by offering a variety of delicious and healthy alternatives to make mealtimes and snacks enjoyable and nutritious. We also provide healthy living counseling services that help prevent, manage and reverse lifestyle diseases.
What would say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
. Finding the right staff and managing them (because they are first customer)
. Ability to sell and remain persistent in the face of rejection.
. Investing on a long term, training and equipment.
What have been some of your failures and what have you learned from them?
High staff turnover and product rejection. I have learnt to be a better person and provide a good working condition for my staff, improve on customers feedback and also profile my customers
What motivates you?
My survivor story has been my motivation (thankful for a second chance)! Sharing and reaching out to people, seeing smiles on their face, making them to understand that it is not a death sentence. Aslo getting positive feedback that will make me want to do more.
How do you generate new ideas? New ideas come in place of prayer or when I am in a relaxed mood.
What is your greatest challenge, and how do you manage it?
My greatest challenge is staff turnover, as I have to regularly have to train and retrain because of the nature of the business. Also providing good working conditions and environment.
How do you define success?
My definition of success is relative, it ranges from celebrating victories each and every passing day and reaching out to people on how to use healthy alternative to improve their health and seeing smiles on their faces when their health improve
What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
I learnt that to succeed in life I had to stay focused, passionate about my dreams, never settle for less and keep working hard everyday, get additional knowledge. Most importantly, I learnt to believe that God makes everything possible in good time
Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from?
From personal savings and support from family.
How do you build a successful customer base?
Improving on customers’ feedback. Constant follow-up on customers and deepening our reach on social media particularly on Instagram.
Is there some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Hardwork! Hardwork!! Hardwork!!! And Prayer.
If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
It will be late Dora Akunyili. I love her for her doggedness and her passion for her job.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My late father, Mr Godwin Okolie, who was a workaholic and I can never forget his slogan “Never take no for an answer” and “
never give up.” Oprah Whinfrey, because of her grass to grace story.
What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone?
An entrepreneur has to work extra hard because salaries have to be paid, also take risks and always ready to think outside the box.
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