‘I have grown my business from N10, 000 to N5m in 6 years’

Sanni Sheriff is the founder of Sannikayz Kitchen Limited, a caterer and entrepreneur. In this interview with JOSEPHINE OKOJIE, he reveals what inspired him to establish his catering business and how the business has grown from just N10, 000 to  N5 million in six years.

 

 Can you tell me about yourself?

My name is Sanni Sheriff, founder of Sannikayz Kitchen Limited. I am an engineering graduate from the University of Lagos. I also have a pre-MBA degree from Business School Netherlands. My journey as an entrepreneur started in 2011, owing to the demand of more events services like catering. I went ahead to establish Sannikayz Kitchen in 2014, which provides mobile restaurant and events catering services. I am a recipient of so many awards including the Under-30 Achievers Awards in 2013, Creative Man of the Year by the University of Lagos Engineering Society Awards, and Best Entrepreneur in 2014. I was also nominated as Sheraton Entrepreneur of the year at the African        Youth Choice Awards 2014 and Nigerian Achievers Awards 2015 (Most Enterprising Youth).

 

When did you start your business, and what was the initial start-up capital?

I started my business with N10, 000 in 2011, which was just sufficient to register the business name, print a small banner and invoice as Sannikayz Events. With referral from family and friends, I was able to generate income from events. Realising my passion for hospitality, I started rendering catering services in 2012 and, in 2014, Sannikayz Events gave birth to Sannikayz Kitchen, which was first established at the University of Lagos in partnership with a friend. We moved to Oniru Victoria Island in January 2016.
What inspired you to move into the business?
I have been an entrepreneur since I was a little boy. My entrepreneurship experience started during my primary education, where I usually made paper planes and sold for N5. I was also inspired by my dad who operates a marine engineering service firm. He always wanted to grow his business and add more value to the brand and himself. This also drove my passion for rendering services to people.

 

Do you have employees?

 

Yes, I do. I have three full-time staff members working with me.

 

How would you say your business has grown since starting, and who are your targeted clients?

 

Our business has grown tremendously since we started, and we have even opened another brand of business. Our target client is corporate bodies and everybody who is interested in our services. We have been serving the corporate class since January and it has really been adventurous. We have customers in Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Investment One, Integrated Supply Chain, Akintola Deloitte, PWC , just to mention a few. We have also acquired more assets. With support from family, friends and investors, the business is now worth about N5 million.

 

 What are the challenges you have faced since starting your business?

Our major challenge is the current increase in the price of food items in the country, which has led to low patronage from consumers. Patronage has dropped, and we are not even thinking of increasing our prices because we don’t want to lose our customers.

Another challenge is power supply. This has increased our production cost. We are also faced with a lot of competitors because so many people are into kitchen business in Nigeria and a lot of them are located on the Island.

 

Have you received any financial support from any organisation?

 

An investor has bought into our business.

What advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

You must have a clear vision and a goal you aim to achieve for yourself.  You must also be focused and determined because they are key to success amidst constant challenges. Build relationships around people who will enable you actualise your dreams and not people who will slow you down, and most importantly, trust God in all you do for He is the overseer of all plans.

 

JOSEPHINE OKOJIE,