Omowunmi Orunmuyi, CEO at OMG Creams & Spices is a cake artist and an entrepreneur, with years of professional experience in baking. Before delving into baking full time, Omowunmi moved from her regular 9 to 5 in the financial sector which she had on the strength of a bachelors degree in Biochemistry and a Masters in Industrial and Personnel Relations. Diverse right? Well, scroll down to read all about our lady boss this week and how she was able to channel all the right energies from banking into entrepreneurship. Enjoy!
Can you briefly describe yourself and your business?
I am Omowunmi Orunmuyi, a self-motivated, positive thinker and goal-getter. At OMG Creams and Spices, the essence of our bakery business is to deliver exquisite cakes and pastries to clients 24 hour after making their orders.
What is it like being a female entrepreneur, and why did you chose to be one? I studied biochemistry at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and further studied for Masters in Industrial and Personnel Relations at University of Ibadan. I started my career in Banking in 2006 as a teller and rose to the position of Cash and Teller Service Supervisor, overseeing branch activities, local and foreign transaction, authorising transactions above tellers’ limits and handling customers’ complaints. All these experiences and challenges therein propelled my passion for bakery and training of future entrepreneurs. The satisfaction and feedback I get from clients and Graduates from my training school gives the zeal to forge ahead as an entrepreneur.
What new innovation have you introduced to your business?
I started my training at Orisun Catering School, Ibadan in 2012 and further trained with top professionals in Nigeria. Not only that, I discovered that training and re-training is the hallmark of any business success that is why I decided to seek more knowledge outside the shores of Africa. With the exposures I got from worldclass sugar-craft professionals at the Convention of International Cake Exploration Society in 2016, my quest for sugar-craft has open my horizon for business and is responsible for creating one stop shop where clients can get value for their money. Flower decoration, Buttercream decoration and Fondant decoration are trending innovation in the cake industry and OMG Creams and Spices is master at it. Our social-media awareness in 2018 has received massive acceptance.
What will you say is responsible for your success so far?
I am a detail-oriented professional with diverse experiences in leadership, Banking and Relationship with man and God. These have given me the ability to gain new grounds and excel as an entrepreneur.
In your opinion, would you say that there are any unique challenges that female entrepreneurs face?
Yes! There are unique challenges of course. One of the challenges is funding. In advanced countries, everybody have access to loan to fund creative ideas, but in our own clime, entrepreneurs would have to rely on spouses, parents and relations whom most of the time disappoints and as a result kills the idea. Another challenge that a female entrepreneur would have to face, fight and win is sexual advancement from male clients, because the moment you accept based on momentary pleasures or gain, you automatically reduce your value(s).
What values and principles have helped you so far?
Customer satisfaction is our core value at OMG Creams and Spices because when a customer is satisfied it opens opportunity for referrals. We also cherish relationships. We are detailed.
Why did you decide to go into this particular line of business?
My passion for art, cooking and open mindedness to learning from childhood is the pathway to where I am today and I know the future is brighter. I am in baking business because I have deep passion for it.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced, and what’s kept you going?
Like I said earlier, I’m a detail oriented person and the first challenge I had was where to get top notch training. Having gotten where to train, the other challenge I faced was where to get quality tools and ingredients to buy, especially at my local market. Furthermore, power (electricity) is the number one challenge facing every entrepreneur in Nigeria; power to use our machines, to light the environment and to preserve ingredients and finished products is a major challenge. Customer’s reasoning about products and pricing is also a challenge. Transportation is another challenge (Safe delivery of finished products to clients cannot be left out).
Finally, financial support from my spouse which had stopped due to his passing away in 2018 was a great challenge because he was my number one fan, friend, motivator and client. You know, the scripture says we are the salt of the earth, this has been my consolation because of the joy I derived from satisfying my clients whenever they request my services. Also, my love for baking, client relationship, my children and God is my oil of joy.
What’s your five-year plan for your business?
In the next five years, my plan is to have a bakery where you can walk in and pick a cake for your events at any time. I also plan to move my training school to the next level by getting accreditation from the Nigeria University Commission; I want to train the next generation on the art of proper cake craft. I also plan to create an enabling environment for vulnerable young people to train and discover themselves.
What do upcoming female entrepreneurs need to do to be successful in this path?
The hallmark of success is focus. Female entrepreneurs need to focus, there are lots of distractions in this digital age and time. Number one thing a female entrepreneur has to do is know God and His principles, get quality education, learn a vocation and be informed. Because beauty without brain is worthless, no man in his right sense in this age and time would marry you without in-depth knowledge and wisdom. As a female entrepreneur in the baking business, you have to be detailed, sincere, trustworthy, loyal and build values and principles to guide you through life.
The LLA Lady Boss Series is a weekly interview series that highlights the achievements and entrepreneurial journeys of African female entrepreneurs. The idea is to showcase the Leading Ladies who are transforming Africa and the African narrative through enterprise and business.
It is an off-shoot of Leading Ladies Africa, a non-profit that promotes leadership, inclusion and diversity for women of African descent.
If you know any kick-ass women of African Descent doing phenomenal things in enterprise, email lead@leadingladiesafrica.org, and she could possibly be featured.
