With the initial setback arising from losing her job to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kosisochukwu said she was fed up and frustrated with all that was happening around her. Her immediate reaction was to relocate to the village.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kosisochukwu Florence Ezenwa contemplated returning to the village to stay with her mother when things were no longer working for her. But a neighbour intervened and advised her to learn a valuable skill instead.
Taking heed, kosisochukwu embarked on journey that has transformed her for better. She learned baking and cooking, and today, she’s the proud Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FK Cooks and Bake – a haven for exquisite events and culinary delights.
How it all started
With the initial setback arising from losing her job to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kosisochukwu said she was fed up and frustrated with all that was happening around her. Her immediate reaction was to relocate to the village.
“I was fed up and frustrated with all the happenings around me, and had a strong thought of going back to Anambra state to stay with my mum. But then one of my neighbours now a friend did everything she could to dissuade me from acting on that decision and encouraged me to learn a skill. Today am greatly indebted to her for standing by and encouraging me,” she narrated to TheNiche during an interview.
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Kosisochukwu said she has always loved baking growing up so the only skill she could think of was going into the vocation. “I have always loved baking since childhood, maybe because my mom was into it then. I can still vividly recall my first Chinchin experience with one of my aunts – the joy and happiness! So, my neighbour encouraged me to learn a skill. That brought back my interest in baking,” she said.
Learning the skill
Kosisochukwu first enrolled in a baking school in September 2020. Unsatisfied with the training, she left for a more equipped place, Obylizzy Events Training Centre where she learnt both baking and cooking from December 2020 to March 2021. After her training, Kosisochukwu said she constantly went for recipe upgrades from other top bakers, attending both online and offline classes to improve and stand out in her skill.
After her four months of training, Kosisochukwu started her business, FK Cooks and Bake in March 2021 in Umuahia, Abia State where she officially registered with SMEDAN.
Today, Kosisochukwu is grateful to her neighbour who encouraged her. She is now satisfied with herself for taking the bold step to learn a skill as she is not only making money for herself but also paying and training people to become independent and meaningful in society.
Kosisochukwu story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and community support.
Sourcing for capital
Kosisochukwu said sourcing for capital to enroll in her baking school and start up her business was so challenging. According to her, she got a lift through friends and colleagues with the savings she had.
Penetrating the market
Kosisochukwu said it took her two years to break into the market. “Penetrating the market was quite a challenge as I wasn’t the girl of many people. Baking is what brought me out to know people, communicate with them and engage myself in other activities outside my comfort zone.
“It took me about two years to finally break into the market with the help of social media, which brought lots of referrals and recommendations from far and near.”
While struggling to establish her brand, Kosisochukwu received financial intervention from her brother which paved the way for her breakthrough.
“While struggling to establish my brand, my elder brother supported my business with a very huge amount in 2022. That financial support got me my first comfortable apartment, an oven, mixer, ring light and numerous baking equipment that made my work easy. It was a breakthrough for me because I have been taking it to God in prayers. That alone motivated me to give my all to my brand and promised not to let my elder brother’s sweat be in vain,” she said.
Challenges Nigerian business owners face
Kosisochukwu said as a business owner in Nigeria, one of the challenges she faces is a constant increase in the price of working items. “You buy something today, go back to get it tomorrow, it has increased in price. And it keeps going up without coming down.”
She is, however, not discouraged. “No matter what, business must go on. Giving up is not an option here. That is one thing I know for sure.”
Japa
Ezenwa loves to travel, but not for Japa, which is a term that means to flee in a hurry. “Well, I will not use the word “Japa” but would love to travel around the world, hence it has always been something I dream of, and would want it to become a reality. But until then, let’s keep building and expanding here in Nigeria,” she said.
