‘Businesses survive on creativity and innovation’
Queen Quserigha, CEO of Cura Crunch, a business focused on making healthier versions of snacks using locally sourced raw materials such as unripe plantain and honey, tells us how Nigerians are now opting for healthier alternatives.
I think for us our challenges are more like learning opportunities for us; so from staff problems to infrastructural to logistics it’s just endless. But it’s important to learn as you go through your process.
Would you say Nigerians are buying more healthy alternatives?
Oh how timely, l started my business in Abuja in 2016 and l will say at that time a lot of the residents already understood what it meant to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle so we were well received. It’s been good l must say.
Who’s not looking for healthy alternatives? Adults, children, diabetics, weight watchers, generally anyone who wants to live a healthy lifestyle.
We are growing, we currently have about five people working for us and l believe we’ll take on more people as we scale up.
How has technology enhanced your business idea?
Technology is an enabler, it has helped us with visibility, we’ve been able to reach out to a lot of people outside Nigeria on Instagram on Curacrunch_, and it has also helped with our business process, automating our process thereby reducing our production time.
What is the secret of a successful business?
Think global, always do the right thing, don’t try to cut corners, do the hard work, learn from your process and give yourself time.
You don’t plan to become an entrepreneur, it’s a spirit. You always look at things from a different angle, people don’t usually see what you see and sometimes they think you’re not normal.
What key things have you learned doing business?
Hmmm, that’s a good question. Business has thought me to be patient, how to build and nurture relationships and financial discipline.
What 5 things do entrepreneurs need to know? What is qualification?
start-up
Be creative, disciplined and have a strong people’s skills - the ability to communicate. Understand that learning is continuous and have a healthy spiritual life.
Where do you see your business in the next five years?
We believe we can build a business that will outlive us, so we strive to incorporate global business practices.
In five years, Cura foods will be the foremost company making variety of healthier snacks using home grown raw materials. Basically you will find our products in many other countries.
your educational
I have a first degree in secretarial administration from Rivers state University of Science and Technology, a Master’s Degree In International Logistics and supply chain from the University of South Wales and another degree in operations management also from the University of South Wales.