A new episode of the Youth Empowered Podcast is cutting through the noise to deliver an honest, unfiltered look at what it truly takes to build a business in Nigeria. Hosted by Dara Oluwatoye, the latest release features candid conversations with two formidable founders, Lara Rawa of Eventi Cocktails and Lagos Cocktail Week, and Eka Obaigbena of Biscuit & Co. and Toasties.
From Spark to Sustained Flame: Two Divergent Beginnings
The journeys of both women underscore that there is no single blueprint for success. Lara Rawa's entrepreneurial spark ignited while she was volunteering at London Cocktail Week. Returning to Lagos, she was driven by a mission to elevate the local cocktail culture, a vision that materialized as Lagos Cocktail Week. Today, it is a major industry force, but its early days were a grind. Resources were scarce, acceptance was slow, and every event was a battle for legitimacy. Her story is one of showing up year after year, fueled by an unwavering belief in a cultural shift that had yet to arrive.
In stark contrast, Eka Obaigbena entered the arena with formal fine-dining training and uncompromising standards. Her beginning was a lesson in humility. On her very first day, her landlord was her only customer, purchasing a single sandwich. She quickly encountered the opaque challenges of Nigerian business, from navigating complex licensing to accessing reliable information. For Eka, cutting corners was never an option, and this insistence on quality became the non-negotiable core of her brand's identity from day one.
The High Price of Wisdom: Lessons Learned in the Trenches
Both founders paid for their expertise with time, money, and ego. Lara's strategy hinged on the power of relationships, celebrating small victories, and a dogged commitment to consistency. She reveals that her belief in the mission often served as her most vital form of capital when financial resources fell short.
Eka is refreshingly transparent about her missteps. She shares experiences with festivals that didn't yield returns, product experiments that failed, and costly errors that ultimately sharpened her business acumen. Her philosophy, forged in experience, is clear: "There was no formula, step by step, but never cut corners." She learned through relentless doing, adjusting, and holding the line on quality even when compromise seemed the easier path.
A critical takeaway from both is the strategic mindset around profit. Lara's decision to reinvest early earnings into professional equipment, long before it seemed urgent, proved to be a lifesaver. That preparation is what allowed her business to survive and adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Profit, they emphasize, is for building resilience, not for display.
Legacy and Blueprint for the Next Generation
The impact of their persistence extends far beyond their companies. From bartenders gaining international recognition to more women entering the hospitality sector, their small ideas have helped propel an entire industry forward. They have contributed to hospitality being seen as a legitimate and rewarding career path in Nigeria.
Their combined experience offers a vital blueprint often overlooked by new entrepreneurs:
- Consistency trumps viral applause. Long-term commitment builds more than fleeting hype.
- Quality is your identity. Protect it fiercely, as it builds trust that money cannot purchase.
- Relationships are invaluable currency. Nurture them authentically.
- Reinvest with intention, not ego. Every naira should strengthen the business's foundation.
- Hire for skill and alignment, not for convenience. The right team is a multiplier of success.
The full, revealing conversation is available to stream on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. You can follow the Youth Empowered Podcast for more insights on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).
