Adenike Dada, guaranteeing that your taste buds will want more

Life

Adenike Dada is the CEO/MD Nikita Waffles, a company that solely specialises in providing unique waffles for parties and events in Nigeria. Adenike is the 1st child of Late Brig-Gen Sasaenia Adedeji and Dorothy Oresanya.  She was born in Kaduna, grew up in Nigeria as well as the UK.

Adenike has a BA, Business Administration from Coventry University and holds a Masters MSC in International Trade and Transportation from London Metropolitan University.

She worked for over 7years in the transport sector in the UK before returning back home in 2009.

Being a returnee, she saw the need to update the fun food sector, the pressing urge came about to do something different as well as striking, unique sweet treat. The birth of Nikita Waffles came into existence.

She is very passionate about her business and has a very creative mind set. She has showcased and brought into Nigeria various kinds of Waffles from around the world and is the pioneer of introducing Waffle Making Only as a business model.

She is married to Adefemi Dada and are blessed with two amazing and precious daughters; Christiana and Emmanuella.

Growing up

Growing up in a military environment, attending military schools certainly attributed to my being. It disciplined and shaped me up to stand tall and strong in any situation whatsoever!

Nikita Waffles

Nikita Waffles officially started 9th December 2012. With God’s divine intervention, I researched and saw the need to include other sweet treat ideas into our country. Wanted something different and something that will make my brand stand out! And there it was…God led me to A Waffle on Stick Machine and the rest is history!

Starting up in comparison to where you are today

I must say it sure wasn’t in any way an easy start, having to introduce a new sweet treat and it being on a stick for that matter! A lot of rejections! Today, with the special Grace of God, I can proudly say Nikita Waffles is a household name!

Challenges

Major challenges for me are logistics, electricity and staffing!

 Nigerians and Waffles

Nigerians are waffle lovers, we certainly do have a good quota of those who love waffles intensely and I am grateful to God that till date, there has never been a reason for them to regret eating Nikita Waffles.

Women and entrepreneurship

I believe women should embrace entrepreneurship because we are very creative people and need to implement those creative ideas, so we can also create employment by reducing unemployment rate in Nigeria. Also, as women, we are adding to the quota of the country and at the same time, gaining financial independence.

In view

I am looking forward to a flagship Nikita Waffles store, more mini outlets, my own brand of waffle machines for home and commercial use and waffle mix. Also in future, I plan to introduce Nikita Waffles Franchise around the country.

 Creativity in Nikita waffles preparation

I am very creative! I have discovered over 20 variations of waffle moulds and I currently have 12 different shapes of waffles. I plan to have some intriguing shapes made for me in the near future.

Outstanding clients whose call to you was a business booster

The Elegushis, Sade Okoya, Lola Okoye (Peter/MrP) to mention a few.

 Unforgettable days in business

Two years ago, first time ever in my years of ‘waffling’, I had 12 venues in one day in a very busy month of December. Also within 24hours, I had eight jobs for New Year Day this in 2018! Amazing God!

Advice to struggling entrepreneurs

Never give up! Keep forging ahead! Read and research more on your business related fields. Do not despise little beginnings, I did it (started all alone with no staff) but today the story has changed. I am a living Testimony!

Government intervention

The government needs to partner with us. They should assist small businesses; implement policies that are favourable to entrepreneurs.

Final words

Nurture your niche, be consistent, focused, have faith, integrity, be grateful to God for what you have and what you need will surely be added on to you!

Kemi Ajumobi