Damilola Lawal is the CEO of Beans Hub, a food processing business located in Lagos. The business is aimed at giving consumers convenience and a stress-free cooking experience.
“Beans hub has just one product for now, which is the Bean Puree (blended beans),” Lawal says.
“It comes in two variants—blended puree and peppered puree. Bean Puree is freshly made and has no preservatives, but it can be preserved by only keeping it frozen. It is a ready-to-cook meal. All you need to do is add little water, ingredients and cook or fry,” the entrepreneur describes.
The idea behind her business came on November 5th, 2018 when she discovered that there were few people dealing in blended beans.
“I was just going about my usual business of the day when the idea dropped. I said to myself, ‘this is unusual and must have come from the Holy Spirit’. I searched the Internet using Google and social media (especially Instagram) about anything that had to do with blended beans and found out that just a few people were in the business. All I really saw was the usual beans flour,” she explains.
Now in her 20s, the young entrepreneur started her business with N10, 000 which was her personal savings.
“When I initially started, it was really slow because it is not the regular usual market; it was something different,” she says.
“I had a paid advert done, I got visibility and customers. I tried to sell more on Instagram, Twitter and via word of mouth. Then gradually sales started coming in,” she recalls.
Dealing in beans can be stressful especially with the picking and peeling processes that come with it. But with the help of her mum, it has become less stressful
“For now, I have just my mum assisting in the whole picking and peeling process of the beans. But with time, I will get helping hands,” she assures.
Every business comes with its challenges and Lawal is not left out, as she faces insufficient electricity supply, lack of personal grinding or milling machine as well as low product visibility.
“Electricity is really crucial for preservation before it goes over to the consumer. Not having a personal grinding or milling machine can slow down work most of the time for me, but I am working towards getting a personal grinding machine and getting people to know my product since it’s not the regular beans flour everyone is used to,” she says.
Lawal feels that the government can help her business by improving the electricity challenge.
She maintains or increases her customers’ base by ensuring that she meets their needs to the fullest.
“I ensure my clients are fully satisfied with the services I provide, starting from the moment they make their orders up till the time they finally use the products. I ensure the thickness of the bean puree is consistent and I also sell convenience to them,” Lawal notes.
The economy has been struggling since its exit from recession in 2017 and this has led to low purchasing power from consumers. But the Banking and Finance graduate from Covenant University has tried to make the product affordable for consumers.
“I have been able to make my product very affordable so it does not drain the consumers’ pockets,” she says.
One of the people that inspired her was Morenike Molehin, the chief executive officer of Oak and Teak Interiors. She describes her as a motivator and real role model.
“She is a woman who is consistent in her business, family and spiritual life. I study her and I am convinced that I am not too young to build an empire. In fact, I’m too old to do so,” she jokes.
Lawal is also being more innovative as she is working on another product. “I am working on another product that does not require getting the beans frozen or refrigerated. It would also be comfortable to move to different states or countries,” she explains.
The entrepreneur is a very simple person that believes that everyone is entitled to their opinions.
She also believes that in the next five years, her product will have been sitting on almost every shelf in Nigeria and available in shops outside the country.
Lawal advises young entrepreneurs to get into any business and do things legally, diligently and consistently.
“Don’t be ashamed of your business, make it your gold,” she admonishes.
BUNMI BAILEY
