With a reputation for delicious home cooked meals and fresh produce,
UOC Foods has become a household name for families, mostly those with busy schedules. Connect Nigeria’s Frederick Chegwe had a sit down with the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of UOC Foods, Mrs. Obianuju Chinwuba, and she gave some insight into
the business and how they work.
CN: What exactly does UOC Foods do?
UOC: We run a food supply business. We started out with supply of raw food stuff hygienically packed, away from the dirt of the market environment to individuals and companies; orders could be placed through our website and it is delivered free of charge. We gradually added a few other services to our business; the Pot ‘A’ Soup which is an already prepared meal that comes in soups – Afang, Egusi, vegetable, Oha, Ofe owerri, Edikang Ikong, Banga, etc., stews and other food like rice, beans, yam, plantain etc. We also provide blended tomatoes nicely packed in containers for our clients.
CN: Who is your target market?
UOC: Our target market is basically very busy executives, hotels and companies. However, our services also extend to every individual.
CN: What influenced your choice of business?
UOC: We chose to run this type of business to provide a solution for busy executives who battle with time to be able to provide good quality food to their family. Having struggled with the same challenge over the years while in active employment, we saw the need to proffer a solution in this area.
CN: What challenges have you faced running your business?
UOC: Hmmm! This question always comes up and like the cliché; electricity supply is a major issue because we have to keep our frozen foods on ice all the time. Sometimes tribe stands in the way especially when it comes to working with companies. Getting funding from the banks was also a totally impossible task; all the banks turned us down. It is a somewhat harsh business environment in our country.
CN: Where do you see your business in 5 years?
UOC: We definitely see our business becoming a house hold name in Nigeria and we also see ourselves having international partnerships. In other words, having business across borders.
CN: Who are your mentors?
UOC: Ndidi Nwuneli, Betty Irabor and a few others.
CN: How do you plan on dealing with competition?
UOC: Competition adds spice to the business world but for us at UOC Foods we intend to keep improving on our services and being on top of the game so that we are constantly ahead of our competitors.
CN: Do you have a daily routine?
UOC: Yes.
CN: What is it like?
UOC. Research, Trainings and resource articles sent to our clients, taking orders, deliveries, administration and account balances, etc.
CN: What inspires you?
UOC: Challenges from people, the answer ‘no’, unbelief from people and commendations from clients.
CN: How would you describe your Customer Service at the moment?
UOC: I would rate us an 8/10 now; we are constantly working on it and improving our customer service every day.
CN: Thank you for your time.
UOC. It is a pleasure.
To Contact UOC Foods:
Call: +2348028641723, +2348024211287
Email: admin [at] uocfoods.com
Or Visit: 14, Abdulazeez Farouk Street,
Ire-Akari Estate,
Isolo, Lagos.
Website: www.uocfoods.com
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This article was first published on 21st February 2013 and updated on February 25th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
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