Adannaya’s story is that of passion and purpose driven by naked bravery and sheer determination. Even as a busy banker, she would always find the time to take classes in cookery. And after acquiring the necessary skills, she dumped her relatively rewarding banking career for the unpredictable world of bakery.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
It initially looked suicidal and a chance taken too far. But looking back, the result has made the risk worth taking. That is the summary of the success story of Adannaya Udochukwu Onyema, a graduate of Mass Communication from Abia State University.
Adannaya’s story is that of passion and purpose driven by naked bravery and sheer determination. Even as a busy banker, she would always find the time to take classes in cookery. And after acquiring the necessary skills, she dumped her relatively rewarding banking career for the unpredictable world of bakery. She is now the chief executive officer of Dulce Cakes and Events.
Adannaya, had a stint in the banking industry for three years before leaving in 2016 to start Dulce Cakes and Events for what she said was in actualising her love for clean, good and hygienic food.
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She said: “Banking was not my dream but a means to survival. I have always loved clean, good and hygienic food. When the stress became too much, I had to quit to pursue my dream, catering services.”
Pursuing her dreams
In 2015 while still a banker, Adannaya enrolled in a catering class which she attended on weekends but by 2016, she had become fully engaged in the vocation after quitting her banking job.
“I started my training towards the end of 2015. I was still working, so I was attending only on weekends. However, in 2016, when I finally quit my job, I engaged in it fully for three months,” Adannaya said.
The caterer said after her training, she started her business in Gbagada area of Lagos State. She later relocated to Aba in Abia State when she noticed that her skills would be much sought for there.
“I relocated to Aba in Abia State because there were just very few in this line of business who were doing it to standard back then,” she said.
Sourcing capital
Adannaya had saved up money from her banking job to launch into full entrepreneurship.
She said: “Sourcing capital was never a challenge to me as I was in the banking sector and had some money saved up,” she said.
Penetrating the Market
Adannaya said she had challenges penetrating the market because back then in the East, her skill was seen as being too expensive as they didn’t understand the value and quality she was offering.
“Every baker who did the standard baking five to six years ago in Aba had the challenge of penetrating the market because people termed it “expensive” because they didn’t understand the value and quality given to them outside the norm they were used to,” she said.
She also recalled having challenges with visibility while starting up but overcame them with the help of her tutor who was always available to assist.
She, however, said her breakthrough came when she offered her services to one of the renowned personalities in Abia State. “That particular job brought me good referrals,” she said.
Challenges faced by business owners in Nigeria
Adannaya said the regular hike in the cost of raw materials has dealt with a lot of business owners causing some to close down their businesses.
She said because of inflation, the rate negotiated for any service can only be valid for only one week after which it has to be renegotiated. Doing so, she said, is the only strategy to remain in business and avoid incurring losses due to the sizzling rate of inflation that affects the costs in the country. According to her, if she does not set that policy, she might end up at the losing end.
Japa
Adannaya confesses that she has tried various visa entries to her dream country but her efforts had not been successful. To avoid wasting her time and energy on the search, she decided to concentrate on what she is doing, especially as it gives her satisfaction, while still making the relevant efforts. She does not rule out travelling out when her efforts pay off. “If you find where your passion will pay better, there is nothing bad to Japa,” she said.
About Adannaya
Adannaya is the CEO of Dulce Cakes and Events based in Aba, Abia State. Apart from her degree in Mass Communication, Adannaya took an online course in Food Safety and Business Management. She is also a trainer who has mentored others in the business of culinary and catering.