After immigrating to Canada from Nigeria to continue her education at University, Lola established herself in the IT consulting world before identifying a gap in the retail market with a lack of authentic, ready to eat African foods.
Lola and I cover the full spectrum of the It’s Souper startup story, including the challenge of selling what is typically considered a seasonal product, selling into her first retail locations and how she approaches competing against established brands.
Other key takeaways include the value of in store demos (now that they are back in play) and how she focused on brand building and marketing exercises when they weren’t an option.
Lola provides great insight into the grants that have been available to her and leveraged to assist in scaling her business - and what she considered the most critical components to focus on when working through the application process.
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Launched in 2018 and located in Toronto, Ontario Lola’s Afro-Fusion gourmet soup and sauce line was inspired by the fusion of cultures that exists in Canada, a yearning for authentic flavours from Africa, and a desire to share it with her community.
Their mission is to produce delicious tasting soups, meals, and sauces made with high quality ingredients and exotic flavours that meet the demands of today's diverse world, and ultimately to inspire a new found love for food.
Lola’s soups can be found in over 50+ retailers in and around the GTA and Quebec and online at itssouper.com
For 10% off online orders use the promo code: PackH10
https://itssouper.com/
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Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsor
FoodPak: https://www.foodpak.com/
Leave a review, rate the show and if you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear from you : hayden@thepackheavypodcast.com
110. An always delicious, always nutritious mantra & supporting the local economy with Merissa Myles - Co-Founder of Tree Island Yogurt
109. Innovating and competing in an established market with Kathryn Kavner - Co-Founder and CEO at Heyday Canning Co.
108. CPG Packaging Design, Brand Identity & The Design Process with Hope Aylen - Founder & Creative Director of Designfulhope
107. Growth strategy, funding, branding and packaging with Kailey Gilchrist - CEO / ”Sauce Boss” of NONA Vegan Foods Ltd.
106. Emotional discipline, management of funds & market research with Brittany Charlton - Founder & CEO @ Ohh! Foods
105. International business, direct trade relationships and geeking out on Kenyan tea with Paul Bain - Founder & Tea Captain at JusTea
104. Manufacturing in house, maintaining your faith & business expansion with Mitch Jacobsen - CEO & Co Founder of Rviita Energy Tea
103. Managing stress, business expansion and island life with Amber Isles - Founder & Owner of RockCoast
102. Shopify, niching down on your idea & packaging development with Thanh Le - Founder & owner of Le Ruhr
101. Circular Economy, tech & entrepreneurship with Cody Irwin | CEO at ShareWares
100. Strategic shifts and focus with Sarah Davies - Founder of More Granola
99. Story time with Irma (Brcanovic) Lafleur - Director of Consumer Experience at truLOCAL
98. Building a social enterprise, grants & the importance of striking a work / life balance with Alia Sunderji - Founder of Luv The Grub
97. CPG & eCommerce business climate strategy session with Neha Charnalia - Founder & CEO of SwitchGrocery
96. Cutting emotional ties, outsourcing production and preparing for investment with Justin Kopetzki - Co Owner & CEO at Justo’s Plant Based Dips
95. The immense value of a strong brand identity with Miki Talebi - founder & CEO at oomé
94. eCommerce strategy, packaging decisions & building a strong co founding partnership with David Downing - Co-Founder & CEO at ChipMonk Baking
93. Scaling and evolving in business and life with Erica Rankin - Founder & CEO of Bro Dough
92. Entrepreneurship and mum life with Christine Yee - Founder and Owner of House of Yee Fine Foods
91. It began with a Facebook post - Nic Simon, Founder & Owner of The Real Patty Co.
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