Budding entrepreneur Jennifer Onose-Eromosele is determined to pull people out of hardship and propel them into prosperity through cooking. Accordingly, with her innovative food platform called Olokpo App, caterers can sign-up for millions of people to reach and contract them for their culinary services, while the general public can also download the App to locate caterers nearest to them. She shares her plans to take the App, which was recently launched in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, to four other African countries with CHINYERE OKOROAFOR
She came prepared to change the dynamics in the culinary industry. And with Olokpo App, an innovative food platform or application that can be downloaded online, fast-rising entrepreneur Jennifer Onose-Eromosele is pushing immense possibilities to the hands of caterers and millions of people who require their services.
Basically, with the App, which has already been launched in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, caterers can sign-up for millions of people to reach and contract them for their culinary services, while the general public can also download the App to locate caterers nearest to them. This game-changing innovation was motivated by the desire to pull people out of hardship and propel them into prosperity through cooking.
Onose-Eromosele said her primary motivation was the “Need to help others make a living and eliminate poverty.” According to her, there are so many people who have cooking skills and there are many others who require these cooks on a daily basis.
“So, I thought it would be a win-win if we have this platform where those with special abilities in cooking exceptional meals can connect and be contracted by those who require their expertise, either for modest home meals or for large events,” she explained
Onose-Eromosele, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, from Madonna University, and a Master’s degree in Marketing Communications, from Pan-Atlantic University, said the Olokpo App is also for chefs, caterers, restaurants and hotels that do outdoor catering, to register and be located by the general public, who require their services.
An expert in strategic marketing, sales, business development and operations management, Onose-Eromosele boasts a career that spans almost 14 years of marketing and sales, starting from Ovation International magazine in 2007, to General Appliances West Africa in 2010, Afromedia Plc, then Megascreen Limited, as General Manager in 2014, and Wetherheads Group in 2015.
These were superb platforms to display her exceptional marketing, sales and negotiation skills, which led the Executive Management in those organisations to develop and execute projects and programmes identified as key revenue drivers. She has always received recognition for her outstanding performance.
Onose-Eromosele is also an Associate Member, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, (AMNIMN), where she has been involved with marketing for about 14 years “This has taken me across various organisations where I see a lot of problems across board, which can be solved digitally.
“Presently, my company is also into sales of billboard advertising spaces across several states in the country. We service premium brands like MTN, Power Oil, banks and manufacturing companies,” she said.
The dynamic entrepreneur has now brought her expertise in these areas to bear on her tech-driven Olokpo App, a ground-breaking cuisine service App that seamlessly connects customers with food vendors and caterers within their locations across Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
The App, which parades 100 per cent local content, is built to address the challenges people face in getting catering services when they are in need of it.
Coined from a home-grown name in Nigeria, Olokpo, it connotes ‘People that cook good food.’ It was deliberately designed to transform catering service within the neighbourhood. The App offers pioneering features such as straightforward connectivity, trust, quality food, as well as seamless payment and booking methods.
With these unique features, Onose-Eromosele hinted at the possibilities that Olokpo App will soon incorporate Cake/Bread Bakers and other catering services, including small chops and producers of local beverages like Sobo, Yogurt, etcetera, into the App.
“I was at an event recently where confectioners converged and I was bombarded by various requests that they would also like to be included in the App. According to them, ‘everybody is looking for customers.’ So, I said, why not? We will surely explore this. After all they are all edibles and are being ‘cooked’ as food, one way or the other.” Onose-Eromosele told The Nation.
She expressed confidence that the App has all it takes to satisfy her teeming and prospective customers, as everything they are looking for is featured in the Olokpo App. “People will no longer be struggling for who will refer a caterer to them because they can have access to many caterers on the App for their private parties, corporate parties and even home supply of meals.
“Neither will those with cooking skills be sitting at home jobless, because they can now monitise their cooking skills through the Olokpo App,” Onose-Eromosele explained further.
Apparently drawing strength from the many possibilities available for users of the App, Onose-Eromosele said she is open to partnerships with relevant agencies – both public and interested private sector operators that can enable her to impact more people with the Olokpo App.
The Application promoter said: “I know the Federal Government is doing a lot to reduce poverty among Nigerians. I am also aware that even the Office of the First Lady is toeing the line of empowering women as well.
“So, why not? Of course, such collaboration can only pull more people into the prosperity net and that is exactly what we need in the country at this point, which is also my own inspiration for initiating the Olokpo App.”
But how receptive have people been towards the app? Onose-Eromole said customers have been very enthusiastic about it. According to her, everyone in the culinary industry is very excited. “Everyone wants customers, especially those with cooking skills but who do not know how to secure customers for their expertise,” she said.
Onose-Eromosele is famous for solving problems, resolving difficult situations, with the client as the ultimate beneficiary. And with Olokpo app, she has successfully shifted the narrative.
“It is a win-win for caterers and their clients. The Olokpo App is loaded with solutions that will make talented caterers showcase their skills and earn a living doing what they love. The app is also a thriving marketplace for caterers to connect with clients and earn a fair wage for their culinary expertise,” she emphasized.
The budding entrepreneur added that secure payment methods are integrated into the App, ensuring that transactions are smooth and reliable.
“Booking a caterer has never been so straightforward, making your culinary journey as delightful as the food itself. A caterer may be next door when you are running around looking for one. The Olokpo App ends that,” she said.
Beyond her motivation to latch on the Olokpo App to pull people out of hardship and propel them into prosperity through cooking, Onose-Eromosele also said Olokpo is a personal solution to a situation she often faced.
“I have had events and finding a caterer was a challenge. I have people asking me every time where they can find reliable caterers. The search for a solution led me to Olokpo,” she revealed.
Although, the Olokpo App has debuted, the campaign to onboard caterers on the platform is still ongoing. While addressing the issue of verification of professional and trustworthy caterers who will operate on the Olokpo platform, Onose-Eromosele hinted that caterers have to undergo several stages of verification, which include facial recognition, email address, full names, phone number that is linked to BVN as well as location, among others.
According to the App’s creator, verification is vital for all caterers on the platform because trusted people who will deliver on promise are needed on the platform.
In the case of breach of contract, however, she revealed that a dispute resolution platform has been created and same is being managed by their legal team to address any dispute that may arise from payment and delivery.
“If any caterer is found to be dishonest, such caterer will be delisted from the platform,” she maintained, adding that at moment, her plan is to launch the App in four other African countries very soon.
Asked if her organisation is a non-governmental organisation or a poverty alleviation programme, considering her decision not to deduct commission or charge the users, Onose-Eromosele clarified: “Well, I told you at the beginning that my primary motivation was to serve as a bridge between those with cooking skills and those who require their expertise.
“However, this is still a business, so we allow the Olokpo caterers to pay a token to register to feature on the App. And you are correct; we do not collect any commission from their revenue. So, you’re right, Olokpo is a strategic way of empowering our women to make money in a dignified manner.”
Despite her very busy schedule, Onose-Eromosele still manages her home front, as she’s happily married with children. Asked how she combines career with marriage, she said it’s determination. “Easy would not be the word to use. I think it’s more of determination, work and home balance,” she told The Nation.
The Olokpo App creator cum promoter has a piece of advice to people who would want to toe her enviable but very taxing career path: “Just start that dream business. Don’t wait till everything is perfect.”
