I WASN'T CLUBBING OR PARTYING Sanni Sheriff
Hey readers, meet young, and successful entrepreneur, Sanni Sherrif. He is the brain behind the all sort after SANNIKAYZ Kitchen, located in the University of Lagos. Recently, he got talking with MICHEAL IRABOR, of kinggs blsog and he told us about the genesis of his brand. Enjoy.
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| Sanni sheriff |
Came we meet you?
My name is Sanni sheriff, a final year system engineering student of the university of Lagos. I am an entrepreneur by practice, training, and experience. I am from Ondo state. I run sannikayz kitchen, and also the brain behind the brand. I am the second child of my parents. My dad is a marine engineer, and my mom, a business woman.
How did the sannikayz kitchen come into existence?
Before I talk about how sannikays kitchen. I would like to talk about how business started for me. Business for me started a long time ago. While I was still in primary school. I use to make paper toys, and sell them for five Naira. So I would say business has always been in me. Then in primary school, I wasn't selling those toys because I needed the money, but just for the love of it. In my second year in school, I started a small business in the hostel. I use to sell what I called jamwich, which was actually sandwich. It was a combination of bread, butter, jam, egg, and sardine. I sold it for #60, I was doing home delivery. Afterwards, the Sannykays kitchen started business officially, in September 2011. So to answer your question, I would say sannikayz kitchen started with my love for business.
My name is Sanni sheriff, a final year system engineering student of the university of Lagos. I am an entrepreneur by practice, training, and experience. I am from Ondo state. I run sannikayz kitchen, and also the brain behind the brand. I am the second child of my parents. My dad is a marine engineer, and my mom, a business woman.
How did the sannikayz kitchen come into existence?
Before I talk about how sannikays kitchen. I would like to talk about how business started for me. Business for me started a long time ago. While I was still in primary school. I use to make paper toys, and sell them for five Naira. So I would say business has always been in me. Then in primary school, I wasn't selling those toys because I needed the money, but just for the love of it. In my second year in school, I started a small business in the hostel. I use to sell what I called jamwich, which was actually sandwich. It was a combination of bread, butter, jam, egg, and sardine. I sold it for #60, I was doing home delivery. Afterwards, the Sannykays kitchen started business officially, in September 2011. So to answer your question, I would say sannikayz kitchen started with my love for business.
Did you go to any catering school to learn how to cook?
Yes I did. As As cocktail and events trained me in my second year.
Yes I did. As As cocktail and events trained me in my second year.
How did you raise cash to start this business?
I can remember asking my dad for capital to start up this business then but, he refused. So in order to raise cash, I had to go to that railway in Yaba, I think that place has been crushed right now. I went there with my shoes, some of my clothe, and a lot of other things. Sold them to generate some money to kick off this present business. I was able to raise like ten thousand Naira from the sales of my belongings.
I can remember asking my dad for capital to start up this business then but, he refused. So in order to raise cash, I had to go to that railway in Yaba, I think that place has been crushed right now. I went there with my shoes, some of my clothe, and a lot of other things. Sold them to generate some money to kick off this present business. I was able to raise like ten thousand Naira from the sales of my belongings.
Does it mean that your parents were not in full support of you starting up the restaurant business?
My dad wasn't in total support because; all he wanted for me was educational excellence. He didn't want anything to get in between me, and my education. But my mom, on the other hand, gave me her full support. As time went by, my dad discovered I was doing pretty well educationally, and excelling in the business, so he got encouraged to support me morally, and financially.
What were the challenges you faced when you were about starting this business, and what are your present challenges?
While starting, we wanted to connect to the elite. We wanted to connect with the big clients. But the fact that we were small really limited, and hindered our chances of getting such. We couldn't connect to our target market. But I that God because presently that’s history. At the moment, our major challenge is proximity. And also fund. There are lots of better equipment, and fresh products which are yet to be discovered in Nigeria, that we plan on bringing in to make work better, easier, and faster but, fund is what has been delaying it. It is gradually being resolved by the help of some of our sponsors. But I would say, more is needed.
While starting, we wanted to connect to the elite. We wanted to connect with the big clients. But the fact that we were small really limited, and hindered our chances of getting such. We couldn't connect to our target market. But I that God because presently that’s history. At the moment, our major challenge is proximity. And also fund. There are lots of better equipment, and fresh products which are yet to be discovered in Nigeria, that we plan on bringing in to make work better, easier, and faster but, fund is what has been delaying it. It is gradually being resolved by the help of some of our sponsors. But I would say, more is needed.
What are these new products that are yet to be discovered in Nigeria?
I won’t like to talk much on that because, it is part of our competitive advantage. All I would say is, they are products that are really new to our environment. So relax, and allow us surprise you.
I won’t like to talk much on that because, it is part of our competitive advantage. All I would say is, they are products that are really new to our environment. So relax, and allow us surprise you.
How do you cope with work, and school at the same time?
It isn’t easy. Anyone who says it is, would be telling a huge lie. It is not easy. Especially when you are studying a time demanding course like engineering. Where you have to do a lot of researches, and calculation. It is not easy at all. But am thankful to God for his help. What has kept me, is focus, and determination. Make business you distraction .student have this pyramid way of living in the university. Some have their time shift from class, to the church, to the hostel. Others, from the class to the mosque, to the hostel. Others class, hostel, parties. My extra curriculum activity has been my business, my brand, and generating value for myself. I have been guiding myself with the principle, that the only thing that can distract me from my education, is my business, and the only thing that can distract me from business, is my education. I wasn't clubbing, and partying. So to say. Though I still made out time to hangout with my close friends. My friends were also business minded. So there was no time for messing around. If it wasn't books, it was my business.
It isn’t easy. Anyone who says it is, would be telling a huge lie. It is not easy. Especially when you are studying a time demanding course like engineering. Where you have to do a lot of researches, and calculation. It is not easy at all. But am thankful to God for his help. What has kept me, is focus, and determination. Make business you distraction .student have this pyramid way of living in the university. Some have their time shift from class, to the church, to the hostel. Others, from the class to the mosque, to the hostel. Others class, hostel, parties. My extra curriculum activity has been my business, my brand, and generating value for myself. I have been guiding myself with the principle, that the only thing that can distract me from my education, is my business, and the only thing that can distract me from business, is my education. I wasn't clubbing, and partying. So to say. Though I still made out time to hangout with my close friends. My friends were also business minded. So there was no time for messing around. If it wasn't books, it was my business.
What have been your greatest achievements so far?First I will like to thank God all mighty. Because from this little we have done, it has brought us a lot. Right from my second year, I was nominated in the university of Lagos engineering society for the most influential student of the year, after that I had a nomination from PING awards, Sheraton entrepreneur of the year, then I won creative man of the year. In the under 30 achievers awards in 2013. I won university of Lagos engineering society entrepreneur of the year, in 2014. And we were also giving award for excellence in the Student historical society of Nigeria in 2013 too. There have been a whole lot of achievements down the lane. There was a time a friend of mine was traveling to Colombia for an educational summit. So they had a stop over flight is South Africa, and he hear someone talking about the sannikayz brand. So asides the awards, the fact that sannykayz kitchen has gained awareness by a lot of people within, and outside the country is a great achievement. I have gotten couple of calls from the US, people are talking about partnerships, and all. So the achievements have just been coming in. year in, year out. Even having an interview with you is another achievement.
In the business world, is there anyone you look up to as a mentor?
My number one mentor, is my dad. Even though my dad is a serious marine engineer, he is also a serial entrepreneur. I wont lie to you. He has invested his money into various business, which has actually been working for him. He is someone, who can put life into crap. He is a great risk taker. Secondly, my grand mentor, is Aliko Dangote. I do my research on him almost everyday. He has really set a pace for young entrepreneurs like me. If we can have 20 people of Dangote kind in Nigeria, Nigeria’s dreams would be attained. Dangote is my grand mentor, while my dad is the junior mentor.
My number one mentor, is my dad. Even though my dad is a serious marine engineer, he is also a serial entrepreneur. I wont lie to you. He has invested his money into various business, which has actually been working for him. He is someone, who can put life into crap. He is a great risk taker. Secondly, my grand mentor, is Aliko Dangote. I do my research on him almost everyday. He has really set a pace for young entrepreneurs like me. If we can have 20 people of Dangote kind in Nigeria, Nigeria’s dreams would be attained. Dangote is my grand mentor, while my dad is the junior mentor.
Was there ever a time you considered giving up on the sannykayz business, and what was that thing that kept you going?
Every entrepreneur would have had issues with giving up, as a result of several challenges. And I must say I was really close to giving up. Because at a point the patronage level dropped badly., I wasn't making any profits, and workers needed to be paid, and all. Those were really frustrating moments. That’s one. Secondly, school. My grades were suffering at one point. Because I was putting all my time into business, trying all my best to make it grow to the standard I dreamt of, and all. That period was really discouraging but, what kept me pushing, was the believe people had in me. People just walk up to me and say, I really love what you are doing. You are dedicated, you motivate me, and you inspire me. So it would make no sense, if I woke up one day, and say I quit. Because that would be me killing the dreams of Nigerians who look up to me as a motivation. Saying, if sanni can make it, so can i.
Every entrepreneur would have had issues with giving up, as a result of several challenges. And I must say I was really close to giving up. Because at a point the patronage level dropped badly., I wasn't making any profits, and workers needed to be paid, and all. Those were really frustrating moments. That’s one. Secondly, school. My grades were suffering at one point. Because I was putting all my time into business, trying all my best to make it grow to the standard I dreamt of, and all. That period was really discouraging but, what kept me pushing, was the believe people had in me. People just walk up to me and say, I really love what you are doing. You are dedicated, you motivate me, and you inspire me. So it would make no sense, if I woke up one day, and say I quit. Because that would be me killing the dreams of Nigerians who look up to me as a motivation. Saying, if sanni can make it, so can i.
What are your aspirations for this brand?
By the grace of God, we intend to be the biggest food brand in Nigeria, having our services in every event, restaurants, and mobile services.
By the grace of God, we intend to be the biggest food brand in Nigeria, having our services in every event, restaurants, and mobile services.
Any advice for those who see you as a mentor?
I know a lot of people are presently facing challenges in thee
business, one way or the other. I would want to encourage them to keep pushing, and never consider giving up. Because that’s the only way to be a successful business person.I know a lot of people are presently facing challenges in thee
What are your plans for 2015?
We are unveiling our mobile kitchen. It is actually a new thing in Lagos.. it is going to be on different streets, rendering quality services to all our customers. .we are getting new motorcycles for home deliveries. And like I said earlier, we would be bringing in new meals.
We are unveiling our mobile kitchen. It is actually a new thing in Lagos.. it is going to be on different streets, rendering quality services to all our customers. .we are getting new motorcycles for home deliveries. And like I said earlier, we would be bringing in new meals.
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| Sannikayz Team |
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