BACKGROUND
My name is Aisha Musa Auyo, CEO Auyo’s Cuisines. I was born on February 22, 1991 in Hadeja when my parents were in Auyo for my grandfather’s death. (I guess my ancestors wanted my umbilical code to be buried in Auyo , my home town instead of Kano State where my parents resided.
I grew up in BUK New site and attended BUK staff primary and secondary School respectively. I obtained my secondary certificate at the age of 16 and got admission into the famous Bayero University in Kano State that same year. I studied Bsc Ed Biology and graduated at the age of 20. After my graduation, I got enrolled into a catering and hospitality management school while awaiting my NYSC posting.
To God’s glory, I finished the 6-month course and got married that same month. I was called for NYSC weeks after my marriage, and I did my service in the BUK staff primary School, I mean, my alma matter.
At the age of 22, I proceeded for my masters in BUK the same month I rounded up my National Youth Service programme.
I studied Masters in Educational Psychology, and I applied for PhD in the same field, the very day I did my masters Viva. I’m currently doing my PhD in the same university.
I also attended BUK campus Islamiyya and Tahfiz where I memorised Qur’an at the age of 18.
As a matter of fact, I haven’t had a break since the day I started school at the age of 3. I kept pursuing several programmes. . This set-up by my parents made a huge impact on my life. I got to achieve a lot at a young age. I’m always the baby in every program I attend. I mastered the art of multi tasking.
HOW DID YOU START?
As I mentioned earlier, I went to a catering and hospitality management school, which was driven by my passion for cooking. I love learning and making new dishes. As the firstborn, I helped my mother in the kitchen, to the extent that cooking became my responsibility.
I commenced my catering business in the year 2013. I started by taking small orders from family and friends. Then with the help of my sister, Hafsa Auyo, we created a WhatsApp group where we showcased recipes for free. We also created another group where we charged for detailed recipes of main dishes, drinks, snacks and more.
People got impressed with our work and showed same by requesting we hold practical classes, and yes, we started with the practical classes. From there, we started indoor and outdoor catering services for events and occasions.
Today, take daily orders of food, frozen snacks, birthdays and gift packages for our customers.
INSPIRATION
My inspiration for this business is borne out of my passion to cook and to see people enjoying fantastic dishes. We cook with love and enthusiasm. I’m constantly upgrading my culinary skill, as we majored in continental and intercontinental dishes. I’m an unapologetic foodie. I think this is what makes us different from others.
What I love about this catering business is that it gives me the flexibility I need to take care of my growing family.and my studies.
As of now, we’ve graduated over 100 students across Nigeria who are now their bosses, and operating their catering services.
Another great thing that makes my business seamless is the internet. With online adverts, uploading of pictures and videos of what we do, we get new customers on daily basis.
CHALLENGES
Well, like every other business, ours also has challenges but I believe every challenge is a learning point to do better and make better choices and arrangements in future. Some of the challenges involve late delivery of food from courier services.
Though most times we get referrals and orders from cooperating bodies unexpectedly, we are very much thankful for that.
PROJECTIONS
Well, my projection for the business is that it will expand and be taken out from the comfort of our homes. We are home caterers for now. But as my kids grow up, and I finish my Ph.D., I plan to build a big restaurant with a cooking academy in the major cities of Nigeria. We already operate in two cities now, Abuja and Kano, and we very much plan to take it to the next level.
I’ll also like to have the financial capacity to teach and coach others for free, as my way of giving back to society. I hate seeing people idle, with no skill or those with skill but no capital.
MENTOR
Well, I’ll like to call Layla Ali Uthman my mentor. She runs a bigger version of what I am doing today . I got encouraged by her success story.
FEARS
My fears are the general fear everyone has in the business sector, such as, what if the customers dosen’t like the food I made, what if the business crashes? But then, with prayers, hard work, and optimism, my fears are reduced to a minimum.
HOW DO YOU COMBINE BUSINESS AND FAMILY?
Combining school , business, and raising a family has been very difficult. However, I do have a strong support system- My husband, my sisters, my parents and in-laws are always there for me. Also, post-graduate education gives you the flexibility to do things at your own pace.
ADVICE TO FELLOW WOMEN
My advice to fellow women is for all of them to try and be well educated, have financial independence. Whether it’s office work, business, or trade, let’s just do something. Though our family should be our priority, doing something for ourselves makes life more meaningful.
The importance of financial freedom can never be over emphasized. Even if one has rich parents or a rich husband, life is so unpredictable, and everything can change within the blink of an eye.
Also being engaged in work gives a woman more confidence, the opportunity to socialise with like minds, help others, and make more impact in society.
We are in times where the internet does half of the work. We can work from home, we don’t have to compromise our primary responsibilities of being wives and mothers to have our business going.
Also, our mental health and happiness should be a priority, as we can’t give what we don’t have. A happy self-fulfilled woman makes a better home than an angry depressed woman who may probably take on her anger on her spouse and kids.
