Meet the Boss: Morolayo Damilola-Shaba, MCatering Concepts

Morolayo Damilola-Shaba is a lawyer turned caterer. She talks to Connect Nigeria about her entrepreneurship journey and MCatering Concepts, which has been providing catering services for both large and small events in Lagos since 2008. CN: Describe your business. MDS: I run a full service catering business. Parties, office soirées, packed lunches, canteen management, home cooking, private chef services, we do it all.   CN: Why did you decide to do this? MDS: It was a combination of factors. I’ve always loved cooking and entertaining and I had very little fulfillment from the job I was doing at the time. So it seemed like an obvious choice. CN: What’s the most challenging part of your work? MDS: Staff. There’s only so much you can do on your own and I have to keep teaching myself to delegate rather than attempt to do it all. CN: What is your business’ unique selling point? What makes you stand out from the crowd? MDS: What makes you stand out from the crowd? Well I like to think I give every job I do all my commitment regardless of the size. So ensuring customer satisfaction at every stage is what I focus on. CN: What’s the worst thing that can happen in your line of work? MDS: Too many things to be honest; traffic, power outages, rain… But always have a backup for your backup and most disasters can be averted. CN: If you could go back to the beginning, what would you do differently? MDS: Be more social. Meet more people. It helps immensely to get the word out to as many people as possible. CN:  In your opinion, what qualities are a must for a successful entrepreneur? MDS: Passion for whatever it is you’re doing. It’s the one thing that’ll make the sacrifices seem worthwhile. Otherwise the first bump you hit might signal the end. CN: What is your long-term vision for your business? MDS: Growth and a brand name synonymous with good food and good services. CN: What’s your advice to would-be entrepreneurs? MDS: It’s easier when you have a good product. Forget all the trappings and window dressing. Make sure your product or service is solid.   Contact Details: Email: mcateringconcepts@gmail.com Telephone: 08033955196 Instagram: @superflycook32 Twitter: @superflycook Click here to contact MCatering Concepts directly    About the Writer: Joy Ehonwa is a writer, editor and online proofreader who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a copy-editing, ghostwriting and transcription business, and blogs at www.anafricandiva.wordpress.com and www.girlaware.wordpress.com