Meet Olu Toba | Entrepreneur / CEO, African Food Embassy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olu Toba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olu, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea of starting my business began as a burden. I remember being faced with a very uncomfortable situation while trying to get some uncommon African food items. I began to think about how many other people would have to go through this same challenge because there were not many options around. I saw a need and I knew I had to get involved to make a difference.

My intention was to create a model that will not only address these challenges but will also focus on a better way of doing things. A more creative system that delivers convenience, quality service and unique customer relation.

Moreso, as the African/Caribbean people and culture began to increase, it became important to make African food culture accessible to the people and to create a brand that truly represent the African and Carribean culture.
One of our biggest cultural value is in the food we eat, and to create an access to most of our favorite ethnic foods with convenience is the greatest joy of doing what we do.

What should our readers know about your business?
Our biggest business differentiation is our creativity and improved way of servicing our community. Our ability to provide convenience and re-create the African grocery experience has definitely set us apart form our competitors. We have engaged technology and infrastructure to deliver a top notch service to our clients.

I am proud of the opportunity to deliver a new experience and redefine convenience in the African community. I take pride in sourcing for mostly unobtainable traditional and cultural food items and delivering it right to the door step of our clients. This is the value that we offer.

It definitely was not easy getting to where we are as a business. It took a lot of commitment and dedication. We knew exactly what we wanted to change and we are pursuing it with all our strength.

The challenge for me is making our extensive range of products available to every African and Caribbean community in the U.S. this includes our customers in remote areas who are finding it difficult to access their favorite traditional and cultural Food items. We plan to provide services to all 50 states in America and currently, we have began to see a huge amount of demand in some of this areas. This is a major growth opportunity and we are making corporate plans to meet this demand.

The lesson here for me is that you can truly make a change as an individual. If it is not right, get involved and make the desired change.

It is important that we are changing the way traditional food business is done in the African community. We are a brand that must be known for truly representing the African culture. Our creative thinking ability and unbeatable customer relation puts us at the forefront of leading the market.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Best Friend is definitely coming to have fun at The African Food Embassy. More seriously, Houston has a wide range of attraction and interesting activities to engage in.
I will start with them checking out the NASA space center, then the museum of fine arts and natural sciences.
After that, we can take a trip to Galveston Beach, visit the Houston Zoo,
Then later in the week, go watch a play or concert .
End of the week, we can visit the Houston downtown, go shop at the Houston Galleria and probably dine in one of the amazing restaurants at the City center.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Special Shoutout to the African and Caribbean Community in the U.S and to our esteemed Ambassadors at African Food Embassy

Website: www.africanfoodembassy.com

Instagram: @africanfoodembassy