It’s interesting how what we think we will be when we grow up changes when we are adults. Growing up Oluwatomiisin Olatunji wanted to care for animals as she couldn’t stand the sight of seeing people suffer in excruciating pain. Today she is the founder of Mamalac Foods Nigeria Ltd and one of the High Growth Coaching Program’s finalists.
“My biggest achievement is being able to build a community strong enough that people want to work with us to elevate the brand. I am talking about a community of sisterhood where the members of the community not only look out for each other but see themselves as the brand itself.” – Oluwatomiisin Olatunji
What keeps Oluwatomiisin’s motivated is seeing mom’s share their joy at being able to breastfeed exclusively amidst the challenges due to the support received from the Mamalac community.
Her greatest desire is to help more mom’s commit to giving their children a healthy start to life especially in relation to nutrition because it’s a very vital need for development of both the child and the country/ world at large
Here is what she had to say about her entrepreneurial journey. I hope you get some good advice on how to ensure you build a successful business yourself.
What has your experience been like as one of the finalists to the program?
It’s been an amazing experience and I have learnt some life skills. I recently raised an issue with my coach and I almost voluntarily left the program but she waded in and helped me view things from another angle. The situation was really a perfect experience for me to learn to always communicate especially with the key players
By the end of the 12 weeks, what would you like to have learned from the trainers and coaches?
I Learned how to put structures in place so I can run my business with or without my presence.
And also Learnt how to grow the business immensely
How did you get to this point?
I am the first of 3 children. I was born to Mr and Mrs Olakanmi in Ibadan and had most of my schooling in Ibadan.
I trained as a veterinarian but was exposed very early to the non-profit/ development sector and it helped me see things differently so I grew up wanting to find a solution to problems around me.
What led to you starting your own business? Share your journey.
In 2020, when I birthed my child, I had a difficult pregnancy and birth experience which eventually resulted in low breast milk supply. During one of my antenatal visits early in the pregnancy, one of the matrons marketed a lactation supplement to us which I bought.
When I had difficulty with my breast milk supply, I used the lactation supplement and realized it wasn’t working like I expected. This double frustration of not being able to feed my child and not getting a solution propelled me to dust my notes as a veterinarian and start doing research on how to increase my breast milk supply.
My experiments paid off as it worked amazingly on me as the guinea pig. I had people who paid for samples to test it and I got amazing reviews. This laid the foundation of the business as a standardized the recipes and with time moved forward to have not just one product but at least 7 products at the moment.
Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer?
Mamalac Foods Nigeria Ltd helps to fight malnutrition from birth using sugar, and preservative free plant-based supplements such as seeds, spices and herbs to produce lactation supplements and other dietary supplements that helps to ensure the health and vitality of every member of the family.
What you would to be remembered for? What impact would you want to make in this world?
That I helped reduce malnutrition in children and helped more moms fulfil their primal need to exclusively breastfeed their children.
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Being able to take decisions and being able to call the shots with my timing skills
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community?
Building your business online and staying true to your values as a business owner and for the business.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Resilience
Perseverance
Integrity
How do you handle or manage the stresses of being an entrepreneur?
Sleeping is a great therapy for me so once it seems the world is conspiring against me, I try to take a break and sleep.
What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Building an online presence. It’s more important now than before.
Building structures in place so that even in your absence, work goes on like you’re there.
Invest in sales and marketing because they are the life of the business.