I Love To Shatter Boundaries And Don't Make Excuses- Maryam Wahu

Maryam Adam Wahu is licensed Medical Laboratory Technician and founder of Wahu Ventures Ltd, a food processing company. She spoke with TMG about her business aspirations and love for inspiring youths. 

TMG> Who's Maryam Wahu?

MAW》Maryam Adam Wahu is Fulani, an indigene of Bauchi state. I was born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria. I attended primary and secondary school in Abuja before proceeding to Al'Ameen College of Health Sciences and Technology, where I obtained a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technician. 

Outside my professional upbringing as a licensed MLT, I am the founder of Wahu Ventures Ltd, a food processing company.

I'm a professional medical laboratory technician by profession, a network marketer by occupation and a small business owner by choice.

My company Wahu Ventures is a food processing company that  processes foods mostly used for Hausa local delicacies such as: wheat flour, danwake flour, Funkasau flour, beans flour, spices millet flour, daddawa pepper, garlic pepper, all purpose pepper, ginger powder, daddawa powder, tea spices, moringa powder, groundnut paste, jollof spices and lots more....Wahu Ventures was officially established on 24th of March, 2022.

I am a goal getter who derives maximum pleasure in helping others to succeed.. if I am not found working on my business, or found shattering boundaries, then I will most definitely be found on the internet, inspiring and motivating the youths to become better versions of themselves daily.

I love to shatter boundaries and hate making excuses.... I know for sure that whether I like it or not, I will die, so I  am living a blessed, happy and grateful life.

TMG> How did you come about food processing business and how far has it gone now?

MAW》It all started when i was looking for a perfect gift to gift myself on my 20th birthday....I said to myself, I'm venturing into a new phase of life, therefore, I have to do something different this time around!

I asked myself what sort of gift would i gift myself that in the next 10 to 20 years to come when i look back, will make me happy and proud of myself. The gift must be  something big, something that will change my life and that of others around me, something that will be of benefit to the society. I just want something that will unveil the inner version of me.....And I realised, there is nothing that will fulfill my wish order than to get myself a sustainable business....But the business must be a 21st century business, because we are in the 21st century, i said to myself.

I thought of many business ideas before finally considering the food processing business! 

Wahu Ventures wasn't just a business, it was the best birthday gift i have ever gifted myself.

We are doing well in the business... Currently, we have successfully done 3 international delivering to Uk, England and Washington state.

We have also done countless national delivering to many beautiful states of Nigeria like: Kano, kaduna, Adamawa, jos, zaria, lokoja, jigawa, bauchi, nasarawa and within the beautiful cities of Abuja etc.

TMG> What inspired you to go into food processing business?

MAW》I was inspired to start Wahu Ventures when I realised I didn't have any excuse to be useless or average!

As I grew older each day, I realised my love for business, my understanding of life and my love to do more deepened. I was created by HE who is perfect, so why should I do less?? Anything I want, I deliver regardless!!

TMG> What about your profession as a laboratory technician; are you still practicing and how do you work it out with your business?

MAW》I graduated early this year and I haven't started practicing.

TMG> Did you go to culinary school & management classes for food processing? And what credentials did you earn through your classes?

MAW》Nooo....I learnt everything from my mum and the net. i have not gotten any certificate yet.

TMG> If you did not go to such classes, then where and how were you trained?

MAW》My mum is a chef. So, she is perfect in processing hausa local delicacies. I learnt everything from her, and I'm upgrading my knowledge via the net.

TMG> What do you do to stay educated about new trends?

MAW》 By reading books and staying glued to the net! Social media has also played a vital role in this aspect.

TMG> What are your challenges and how do you intend to handle them?

MAW》My biggest challenge so far is lack of funds to register my products with NAFDAC and other agencies!  But I am currently on the process of registering my business name with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

There are lots of challenges out there, but I am most grateful to God for the trials, pains and tribulations I have gone, and will go through in the future because challenges are always there to make us not to break us. The challenges will even make me stronger and help me to truly appreciate the wins when it eventually comes, insha'Allah!!

"Where there is no challenge, there's no progress", that's my belief!

TMG> How many employees report to you?

MAW》Not many, just 4. Our business is just a baby business, you know.

TMG> Give us an example of someone you have trained or mentored. Where did they start and where are they now?

MAW》Just one person! She is currently monetizing the knowledge she has acquired. I am super proud of her.

TMG> How do you ensure/test the quality of your ingredients?

MAW》We test the quality of your products by preparing and drying the grains in an hygienic environment. We also ensure we cook and taste every single product before packaging and labelling.

TMG> What do you do to ensure the quality of your products going out to customers?

MAW》We ensure the quality of our products before going out to customers by checking how neat and well packaged our products are. Our products are always kept in a conducive environment.

TMG> How involved are you in the beverage aspect?

MAW》Partially. We just recently added beverages to our menu.

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career.

MAW》The best I have accomplished so far is the people's lives that I have touched. 

People now see me as an inpiration, motivator and a role model, my voice and pen are being recognized.

Alhamdulillah, this is a huge driving force for me!

I will continue to keep winning and working hard. I won't make excuses when I have seen people in worse situations become inspiring despite their history!

Alhamdulillah I have work to do, and  I am alive, hale and hearty.

TMG> Tell us 3 things that you consider to be your strengths in the food processing business?

MAW》Firstly, my biggest strength is the time and financial freedom that comes with my business.

I am getting to live my dream while pursuing my passion and at the same time helping orders to unleash their potentials.

Secondly, my personal development, sales and business strategy have improved.

Thirdly; considering the fact that I am a northerner, it is encouraging when people of my age or above my age see me as an inspiration and a voice of the voiceless.

I am certainly setting a pace for others to follow! We won't stop until we get to the top insha'Allah.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon?

MAW》I would love to improve on my selling skills, business strategy and social media marketing skills

TMG> How good are your products and what do your customers think of your businesses?

MAW》Erm... the products from Wahu Ventures are really really good; our yaji(scented dried pepper) is sweet, and our Dambun nama (dried shredded meat) is very delicious according to the reviews we have gotten from our clients. Our packagings are really beautiful and are of top notch quality.

Each time customers buy our products, we make sure we make them feel they are getting value in exchange for their money!! In Wahu Ventures, our customers' satisfaction is our priority.

TMG> What way can you encourage other youths who wants to start a business like yours? 

MAW》Make sure you have passion for the business first! Seek knowledge about the business, look for a mentor to guide you, work consistently towards the business and pray hard!!

I will also love to share with the youth that this is tbe 21st century...The time to sit down at home while waiting for government jobs is over! 

There is money in the internet- find something to do. Social media is not for just chatting, dancing and uploading all manners of videos. Many people are on social media making clean and good money.

Get yourself something to do and give it your time, your best, and your energy. Be consistent and don't ever give up! 

Others are doing it and getting results, then why won't you do it?? 

And don't ever let anyone make you feel worthless! 

Tell yourself that; You are in the world to make a difference! You matter! Your voice matters!! Your opinion matters!! Your presence matters!! ....

Know that you are powerful, you can do it, and you are enough!! 

Don't forget that a journey of thousand miles begins with one step, it then continues with plenty more steps failing forward, failing ten times, and rising the eleventh time until "mission accomplished" is achieved.

Be the type that no fears, excuses and inadequacies can stop! Be you! Go Unstoppable!!

TMG> Do you have time to socialise and how?

MAW》Yes I do, my business is part of socializibg as it is done 90% online. Therefore, I am always active to receive and confirm orders from clients. 

That's one of the beauties of running an online business.

Thank you  for giving me the privilege to share my story with the world

Regards

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