…insights from entrepreneurs in the food industry in Nigeria

Episode 04 – Podcast Interview with one of the Founders of The House

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Podcast Interview with Co- Founder The House

Datare is a founding partner of The House Lagos. He hails from Bayelsa and studied Economics at the University of Manchester. He furthered his education at the London School of Finance.

The brand ‘The House Lagos’ is a mutual endeavor of 3 business partners who for their passion in the food service industry built a  dining experience called The House Lagos.


Key Notes on Focus Areas

When did your aha moment come that you thought ‘I can do this’ ……

We were having a conversation me and my friends turned partners about having somewhere people can really sit out and talk while relaxing. We thought we should start up something in the food service and relaxation space. It took us 4 months between our first conversation and accomplishment of our plans.

Is this full time thing or the 3 of you have 9-5 Jobs?

Every one of us have a  day job. This is a second full time job for us.

What was the Initial Capital like – Funding?

Initially we put in our personal funds and we had few other persons who I wouldn’t like to use the word investors for; because they are much more than that. They are persons who believe in the Brand. So, they didn’t invest for returns but as support because they wanted to be part of a great evolving brand.

Can you describe your typical work period?

Take for instance today being Monday, I’m up by 6:00 am work out for about 20 min, then get ready for work and at most 9:00am I’m at the office. I usually have meeting till 2:00pm then, I head straight to ‘The House’ – because today we have cleaning and training exercise.

I have 3 other businesses besides the restaurant, so I find ways to balance my activities and it is great to have partners mostly people that understands the fundamental and vision of the business.

How has your brand evolved overtime?

The market has really evolved more presently. I think the brand has pushed the market to evolve. We put up products people don’t expect and are not used to, but now they understand how to consume those products.

What are the Duty split between and your partners?

Well it  is a flow of Operations – Finance – Strategies.

Where do you see your Brand in the next 5yrs?

We hope that our brand will be in places where you wouldn’t expect to see a Nigeria brand to be; creating an export market for the brand – a different niche.

Advice for people who want to start up:

Your process, do make sure that you do the things that you need to do to see that your dishes come out good and have your space looking beautiful too. All the glamorous things are very vital.

Advice for your young self:

  • Make the right decision
  • Don’t be scared
  • Analyze it, make that decision and go for it

Key Points:

  • Make the right decision
  • Don’t be scared
  • Analyze it, make that decision and go for it.

Emeka is passionate about the Evolving Business Environment and the challenges bedevilling it. He is ardent and cognizant with the Restaurant Industry having worked in various outfits as a manager and consultant. He is presently working for BusinessFeverNg as the B.D.M and content editor.
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Emeka is passionate about the Evolving Business Environment and the challenges bedevilling it. He is ardent and cognizant with the Restaurant Industry having worked in various outfits as a manager and consultant. He is presently working for BusinessFeverNg as the B.D.M and content editor.
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Emeka is passionate about the Evolving Business Environment and the challenges bedevilling it. He is ardent and cognizant with the Restaurant Industry having worked in various outfits as a manager and consultant. He is presently working for BusinessFeverNg as the B.D.M and content editor.

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