“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success”. The Industrial Queen, CEO of Melting Moments Dairy Limited. A Leading confectionery Company in Nigeria producing Gelato with distribution across Nigeria.
In an interview with Tolulope at her factory, the smart and friendly entrepreneur shares her journey in business while she takes Zivang team on a tour in her factory. Read Excerpts below 👇
Can we formally meet you?
My name is Tolulope Ola nee Samaiye, I am the CEO and Co-founder of Melting moments Dairy limited, which is a confectionery manufacturing company. We produce Gelato, popcorn, cakes etc in large quantity and distribute across Nigeria. And I am also the COO at multiplay technology ltd, a media tech company, focused on giving African producers opportunity to reach a global market by providing an Ecommerce platform where Producers can upload their beats/sounds and content creators around the world can purchase royalty free beats. And I am also the Current CEO of Logix supply force, which is a distribution company that helps SME stock their products in supermarkets.
Just call me The Industrial Queen , lol
How was your growing up Like as a Nigerian child?
My growing up in different environments at different points of my life, because my mom was a diplomat so we moved around a lot. I lived in 4 different countries with an average of 4 years in each country, so I spent 16 years of my childhood outside Nigeria, where I was able to learn from different cultures. But when I was in Nigeria, living in Nigeria was really interesting because I felt like the only child, my older siblings were quite ahead of me and the gap between my immediate sister and I is 9 years.
From research, Melting MomentsNg ice cream is one of the most affordable and tasty ice cream in Nigeria, before you started Melting MomentsNg, Did you ever work in 9-5 firm?
Melting moments started immediately after university, it started as a cupcakes company before becoming a fully confectionery company. Melting moments started when I was waiting for my NYSC. The only 9-5 job I can ever said I did was NYSC placement and also ran the company alongside with it. Before finishing my NYSC I used to do summer/Easter/Xmas jobs in the UK for 4 years straight, I am not sure if that can be categorized as a 9-5 job but it was in a well-structured environments.
What motivated you start up ice cream outfit despite the huge competition in the Food & beverage industry?
Because I needed a form of distraction whiles waiting on NYSC for my posting because it was posted to the north and Boko haram just started bombing then, so I wasn’t allowed to go. Then I and my sister started melting moments, and invited other investors who are my sister’s friends to come in and that is how it started.
What is the rationale behind the brand name Melting MomentsNG?
The name was bought from a company in the UK that was selling off all their equipment, we were formally called Baby cakes. Then my sister was like let’s buy the equipment from the company selling off their equipment and we can buy the name as well.
So far, How have you been able to stand tall in the food& beverage Industry since inception?
it all about perseverance and keep pushing. I’ve remodeled the company up to 3 times from cakes to events only then to a manufacturing company and we keep moving.
How do you maintain good customer relationship?
Generally, I am a very friendly person and I have my employee do the same.
How do you take negative feedbacks from customers?
Whenever we have negative feedbacks from customers, we try to make it up to them by giving them discount or replacing it, and we also follow through to make sure they are happy again and make sure we keep the relationship.
Lets talk your staff, how did you choose the right staff for your business?
I pray about it and I spread the word that I am looking for an employee to fit in the open role and I interview them to make sure the person fits the role. I’ve lucky and fortunate to work with good people.
All your staff at your office are always smiling and friendly is this part of daily training you give to them?
It is part of the daily training. And I also believe your staff projects you.
What is the unique selling point of Meltingmoments?
our unique selling point is the fact that our products is low in fat, low in sugar, low in calories and the most unique our product is that we infused indigenous African flavors into our products. I mean that uniqueness got us noticed and featured on CNN inside Africa. Which was the highlight for 2021.
In terms of quality of service, what makes MeltingmomentsNG stand out in the food& beverage industry?
We provide our quality Gelato and it is maximum and sleek. And we always make sure our customers are satisfied because customers’ happiness is our priority.
What is your opinion on good branding in Business, How have you been able to inculcate this in your business?
Before now branding was the least thing on my mind until I started growing and seeing the importance of branding to a business. As I grow in business I realized that people eat what they see, so I paid more attention to my branding and the design of our tubs, because if you want to play in the big leagues you have to be in the big league.
Talking about price of ice cream, it’s very affordable, despite the harsh economy, tough business environment, how have you been able to keep it going in the year 2022?
The journey hasn’t been easy because in as much as we want to increase the prices of our products we have to consider the pockets of the consumers, because salaries are not increasing and ice cream is a luxury products and not a necessity. So, we had to look inwards for the unnecessary things we do not need to spend money on and cut them off.
How do you keep up with the same standard for outlets within and outside Nigeria?
Last year we supplied Abuja but we are now focusing on Lagos only, so that we can get logistics right and we are hoping to get distributors in every state.
From your own experience what Lessons have you Learnt that is not taught in books?
You need to be your own advocate, no matter how excited you are you need to be calm to make the right decisions. I’ve learnt to do proper marketing survey, and be very critical with decision making and be perseverant. Very important – celebrate your WINssss.
Your favorite business quote?
My favorite quote is always celebrate your wins.
Aside work how do you relax yourself?
I watch a lot of TV shows at night before sleep, I love hanging with my friends and I enjoy eating out.
Where do you see MeltingMomentsNG brand in the next decade?
I see Melting Moments in the freezer of all African and European countries in the next decade and we would have increased our SKU’s and we are also going into milk production, chocolate and cocoa power.
What is your advice to other business owners in Nigeria?
The only advice I can give any business owner in Nigeria is don’t be too hard on yourself, be flexible and always plan ahead.
