Unizik Graduand Who Sells Smoothies Shares Some Challenges Entrepreneurs Face, Calls For More Support

In many developing nations like Nigeria, women make up the majority of Chefs and play a transformative role in agricultural development and increasing food security. But their contribution is often undervalued, and they face many challenges.

To break the bias surrounding women and their quality of input, society must prioritize the contributions of women and see them as equal players in both production and processing fields.

As the impacts of economic change become more evident, the world will need to invest in more effective strategies to alleviate hunger and poverty. That means standing with female entrepreneurs and giving female chefs the resources they need to nourish both people and the nation.

While there are countless women around the world in the food and natural drinks business, a young female graduate of the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Egeonu Chinonye, who hails from Obodoukwu in Ideato North LGA of Imo State is reshaping the food and natural drinks systems in Nigeria.

Below is our exclusive interview with her:

Unizik Graduand Who Sells Smoothies Shares Some Challenges Entrepreneurs Face, Calls For More Support — BeeFresh Smoothies

Can you tell us your name and a bit about you?

My name is Egeonu Chinonye, I am from Obodoukwu in Ideato North LGA of Imo State. A graduate of Unizik Awka, Anambra State.

I am a young lady passionate about business and creativity.

Can you tell us more about your brand and how you started?

My brand name is Beefresh smoothies. Curated by myself with the help of a few of my friends. It is a brand invested in making homemade, rich in nutrients and natural drinks and smoothies. Talking about how I started, I started in 2021 after the Covid 19 break.

First off, I am a big fan of Tigernut drink popularly known as Kunun aya, my mum made it often for home consumption.

So I just thought about monetizing it in the East because it’s a drink not too popular, so I talked about it with some friends and then did a market survey, and here I am selling, growing, and making a difference with it.

What made Beefresh Tigernut drink different from others?

My tigernut is a drink made in a very clean and hygienic environment with utmost care and patience. With the most natural ingredients.

This is a drink with only natural sweetener in a moderate amount. And made to suit the taste of all customers both young and old. No added preservatives too. Just kept frozen and natural.

What are the challenges you are facing so far and things you will like to get to make your business run smoothly?

Hmmm, in this our Nigeria that things are expensive. I will need a large customer base, and an extractor- I am currently extracting the juice manually, and I also need a generator.

So tell us, who are you aside from making foods and smoothies, and how do you spend your leisure time?

How do I spend my leisure time? I sleep hahaha. But seriously, I just find different ways to advertise my business, I also draw, yes, I am a pencil artist. I also love going out, going to new places, and trying new food too.