Virtue Ottoh

DON’T SELL TO SUPERMARKETS ALONE.

I know this may sound strange, especially if you are a food business owner dreaming of seeing your products on supermarket shelves.

But hear me out.

I have food business owners who find me through my YouTube channel and one of the things they are most excited about is getting their products into supermarkets.

And I understand why.

It feels like a big achievement when you walk into a supermarket and see your products beautifully displayed on the shelf.

But there is something I always tell them:

DON’T BUILD YOUR ENTIRE BUSINESS AROUND SUPERMARKETS.

Let me share a personal experience.

At some point in my business Veeclassic Foods Limited we had a single supermarket owing us money on 10 different unpaid invoices, for 8 weeks, at the same time we also had some few unpaid invoices with different supermarkets and this almost crippled our operations. We needed cash to fund the business and it was really frustrating.

Imagine producing your goods, supplying them, paying for raw materials, packaging, transportation and labour and then waiting to be paid.

Meanwhile, you still have bills to pay and production to fund.

That experience taught me a very important lesson:

A supermarket should be ONE of your sales channels, not your ONLY sales channel.

If you want to supply supermarkets, please do.

But while you are supplying supermarkets, build a strong direct-to-consumer channel too.

Sell directly to:

• Individual customers
• WhatsApp customers
• Corporate organisations
• Churches and religious organisations
• Schools
• Offices and staff communities
• Restaurants and cafés
• Hotels
• Event planners
• Gift box companies
• Online customers
• Distributors and wholesalers
• Farmers' markets and food fairs
• Pop-up markets and exhibitions
• Subscription customers
• Your own physical store
• Social media communities

This way, if one supermarket delays payment, your entire business doesn't come to a standstill.

And here is another lesson I have learnt from the Nigerian market:

Sometimes, the power dynamic changes when supermarkets come looking for your brand instead of you constantly chasing them.

When you are the one desperately trying to get your products into their stores, you may find yourself accepting their payment terms because you want the opportunity.

But when your brand becomes desirable and supermarkets start asking, “How can we stock your products?”, you have a much stronger position to negotiate.

That is why I don't just tell food business owners:

“Go and look for supermarkets.”

I tell them:

BUILD A BRAND THAT SUPERMARKETS WILL WANT TO STOCK.

Build demand.

Build your customer base.

Build your social media presence.

Build trust.

Build a product people ask for by name.

Build a database of direct customers.

Build multiple revenue channels.

And please, if you must supply supermarkets, choose your retail partners carefully.

Find out their payment structure.

Understand their credit terms.

Know how long they typically take to pay.

Don't just be excited because they want your products on their shelves.

A sale is not really a sale if it destroys your cash flow.

Your business needs revenue, but it also needs cash flow.

So yes, sell to supermarkets.

But don't let supermarkets become the only people who can put money into your business.

Build a business that can survive even when one customer delays payment.

And ultimately, my goal is for you to build your brand so strongly that instead of constantly asking supermarkets to stock your products…

SUPERMARKETS START COMING TO YOU.

If you're a food business owner, what has been your experience supplying supermarkets?

Have you ever had a supermarket delay your payment?

Share your experience in the comments.

I'm Virtue Ottoh, I'm a food business owner who shares content about the food industry; how to start and grow your food business. If this sounds like what you love or do,

Kindly follow me and Subscribe to my YouTube channel "Virtue Ottoh"

I'm rooting for your success
Virtue Ottoh🍎🍎🍎

#foodbusiness
#foodbusinessowner
#foodbusinessinnigeria
#foodbusinesscoach
#virrueottoh

16 hours ago | [YT] | 5

Virtue Ottoh

Hello Friends,

This video will blow your mind.
These 5 reasons can hinder the growth of a food business.
Kindly Watch, Subscribe, Like, Comment, Share.

2 days ago | [YT] | 2

Virtue Ottoh

3 WOMEN in BUSINESS Who Are Changing the Way I Think About Business

These women are not just making money. They are building systems, structures, brands and businesses worth studying.

I introduce to you 3 women who constantly challenge my thinking and inspire me to become better at business.

They are doing incredible numbers in their businesses, and what amazes me even more is the structure, processes and wisdom behind their results.

Honestly, these women should be studied as a course in the university!

Let me start with Ma Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze .

I bought about five or more of her classes, trainings and courses, I also follow her teachings on Facebook and I can confidently say that when it comes to marketing and doing big numbers, she is the GOAT.

Her teachings are simple, practical and easy to understand, yet the results are profound.
She operates with a level of wisdom that is difficult to explain. A lot of what I know today about marketing, showing up consistently and putting yourself and your business out there came from learning from her.

If you are serious about business, please follow her. And if you have the opportunity to take her courses, invest in yourself and learn.

Next is Ma Nelly Agbogu

I joined the very first cohort of her Marketing and Structure School, and honestly, calling it a school almost feels like an understatement.
It was an MBA in practical business!

Over 40 sessions covering different aspects of business, and the icing on the cake was bringing in different industry experts and giants to share from their wealth of experience.

Nelly also runs a cassava biscuit processing company and is doing incredibly well.
If you want to learn about distribution, business structure, systems and how to build a business that can actually function beyond you, Nelly is someone you should be watching.

Her Marketing and Structure School is available, kindly enroll.
You can thank me later.

Then next is Ma Augusta Nkanu
I actually heard about her through Ma Chioma Ifeanyi Eze.

She was also invited to speak at Nelly Agbogu's Marketing and Structure School, and for the first time, I heard her say that she was running about 29 adverts DAILY.

I was like… WHAAAAAT?!

You may even wonder why her adverts seem to follow you everywhere. You see them on social media, and before you know it, they have entered your dreams😁. Those adverts remind me of Temu adverts, it's everywhere you go.

But beyond the adverts, what really caught my attention is the system behind the numbers.
Her business reportedly fulfills about 500 or more orders daily, and somehow, she still manages to maintain her steeze.

How does she do it?
That's exactly the kind of knowledge entrepreneurs need to learn.

She has a training coming up, so if you want to understand more about advertising, sales and scaling, please look out for it and enroll.

These three women have impacted my life in ways I cannot fully explain.

Through their content, their trainings and, most importantly, the businesses they are building, they have shown me that business growth is not just about making money.

It is about having the right knowledge, systems, structure, strategy and consistency.

So, today, I simply want to say THANK YOU to these women for being such a FORCE.
And also let the 3 of you know that I love you 🥰.

If you are an entrepreneur and you genuinely want to improve your business, follow people who are already doing what you desire to achieve. Learn. Invest in knowledge. Apply what you learn.

I hope this helps someone today.

And if you enjoy practical food business tips, please follow me here and subscribe to my YouTube channel, Virtue Ottoh.

I share content about food, food business, marketing, pricing and building a successful food brand.

I'm rooting for your success.
Go and build the business of your dreams.

Virtue Ottoh🍎

#chiomaifeanyieze
#nellyagbogu
#augustankanu
#virtueottoh
#businesstips

6 days ago | [YT] | 4

Virtue Ottoh

3 WOMEN in BUSINESS Who Are Changing the Way I Think About Business

These women are not just making money. They are building systems, structures, brands and businesses worth studying.

I introduce to you 3 women who constantly challenge my thinking and inspire me to become better at business.

They are doing incredible numbers in their businesses, and what amazes me even more is the structure, processes and wisdom behind their results.

Honestly, these women should be studied as a course in the university!

Let me start with Ma Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze .

I bought about five or more of her classes, trainings and courses, I also follow her teachings on Facebook and I can confidently say that when it comes to marketing and doing big numbers, she is the GOAT.

Her teachings are simple, practical and easy to understand, yet the results are profound.
She operates with a level of wisdom that is difficult to explain. A lot of what I know today about marketing, showing up consistently and putting yourself and your business out there came from learning from her.

If you are serious about business, please follow her. And if you have the opportunity to take her courses, invest in yourself and learn.

Next is Ma Nelly Agbogu

I joined the very first cohort of her Marketing and Structure School, and honestly, calling it a school almost feels like an understatement.
It was an MBA in practical business!

Over 40 sessions covering different aspects of business, and the icing on the cake was bringing in different industry experts and giants to share from their wealth of experience.

Nelly also runs a cassava biscuit processing company and is doing incredibly well.
If you want to learn about distribution, business structure, systems and how to build a business that can actually function beyond you, Nelly is someone you should be watching.

Her Marketing and Structure School is available, kindly enroll.
You can thank me later.

Then next is Ma Augusta Nkanu
I actually heard about her through Ma Chioma Ifeanyi Eze.

She was also invited to speak at Nelly Agbogu's Marketing and Structure School, and for the first time, I heard her say that she was running about 29 adverts DAILY.

I was like… WHAAAAAT?!

You may even wonder why her adverts seem to follow you everywhere. You see them on social media, and before you know it, they have entered your dreams😁. Those adverts remind me of Temu adverts, it's everywhere you go.

But beyond the adverts, what really caught my attention is the system behind the numbers.
Her business reportedly fulfills about 500 or more orders daily, and somehow, she still manages to maintain her steeze.

How does she do it?
That's exactly the kind of knowledge entrepreneurs need to learn.

She has a training coming up, so if you want to understand more about advertising, sales and scaling, please look out for it and enroll.

These three women have impacted my life in ways I cannot fully explain.

Through their content, their trainings and, most importantly, the businesses they are building, they have shown me that business growth is not just about making money.

It is about having the right knowledge, systems, structure, strategy and consistency.

So, today, I simply want to say THANK YOU to these women for being such a FORCE.
And also let the 3 of you know that I love you 🥰.

If you are an entrepreneur and you genuinely want to improve your business, follow people who are already doing what you desire to achieve. Learn. Invest in knowledge. Apply what you learn.

I hope this helps someone today.

And if you enjoy practical food business tips, please follow me here and subscribe to my YouTube channel, Virtue Ottoh.

I share content about food, food business, marketing, pricing and building a successful food brand.

I'm rooting for your success.
Go and build the business of your dreams.

Virtue Ottoh🍎

#chiomaifeanyieze
#nellyagbogu
#augustankanu
#virtueottoh
#businesstips

6 days ago | [YT] | 3

Virtue Ottoh

INTEGRITY: THE FOUNDATION OF A FOOD BUSINESS PEOPLE CAN TRUST

Is your honey really original?

I hear this question quite often from customers.

And honestly, I understand why they ask.
The honey market has so many stories around adulteration and poor-quality products that customers have learned to be cautious.

Whenever someone asks me this question, it reminds me of one important principle I teach food business owners and we uphold at Veeclassic Foods Limited

Integrity is not just about what you say about your product. It is about what you consistently do when nobody is watching.

If I tell you our honey is original, then our processes, sourcing, handling, packaging and quality must support that claim.

Integrity in food business means refusing to adulterate your products to make more profit.
It means giving customers exactly what you promised.

It means using safe and appropriate ingredients.

It means being truthful about your product, even when the truth may cost you a sale.

It means admitting when you make a mistake and correcting it instead of covering it up.

And most importantly, it means understanding that your customer is trusting you with their money and, in the food business, their health.

So how do you maintain integrity as a food business owner?

1. Be truthful about your products.
Don't make claims you cannot substantiate.

2. Don't compromise quality for profit.
Cutting corners may increase your margin
today but destroy your reputation tomorrow.

3. Have proper processes.
Your business should not depend solely on your personal honesty. Put systems in place for sourcing, production, quality control, storage and packaging.

4. Keep your promises.
If you say 1kg, give 1kg. If you say fresh, make sure it is fresh. If you promise a delivery date, do your best to keep it.

5. Choose integrity even when nobody will know.
That is where true integrity is tested.

As a food business coach, one of the things I want food entrepreneurs to understand is this:
You are not just selling food. You are selling trust.

And trust takes years to build but only one dishonest decision to destroy.

So when a customer asks me, “Is your honey original?”

Our goal is not just to say, “Yes.”
Our goal is to have a business, a process and a product that can confidently support that answer.
Build a profitable business, but never build it at the expense of your integrity.

I'm rooting for your success.

Virtue Ottoh 🍎
Food Business Coach
CEO Veeclassic Foods

6 days ago | [YT] | 6

Virtue Ottoh

3 WOMEN in BUSINESS Who Are Changing the Way I Think About Business

These women are not just making money. They are building systems, structures, brands and businesses worth studying.

I introduce to you 3 women who constantly challenge my thinking and inspire me to become better at business.

They are doing incredible numbers in their businesses, and what amazes me even more is the structure, processes and wisdom behind their results.

Honestly, these women should be studied as a course in the university!

Let me start with Ma Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze .

I have bought about five or more of her classes, trainings and courses, I also follow her teachings on Facebook and I can confidently say that when it comes to marketing and doing big numbers, she is the GOAT.

Her teachings are simple, practical and easy to understand, yet the results are profound.
She operates with a level of wisdom that is difficult to explain. A lot of what I know today about marketing, showing up consistently and putting yourself and your business out there came from learning from her.

If you are serious about business, please follow her. And if you have the opportunity to take her courses, invest in yourself and learn.

Next is Ma Nelly Agbogu

I joined the very first cohort of her Marketing and Structure School, and honestly, calling it a school almost feels like an understatement.
It was an MBA in practical business!

Over 40 sessions covering different aspects of business, and the icing on the cake was bringing in different industry experts and giants to share from their wealth of experience.

Nelly also runs a cassava biscuit processing company and is doing incredibly well.
If you want to learn about distribution, business structure, systems and how to build a business that can actually function beyond you, Nelly is someone you should be watching.

Her Marketing and Structure School is available, kindly enroll.
You can thank me later.

Then next is Ma Augusta Nkanu
I actually heard about her through Ma Chioma Ifeanyi Eze.

She was also invited to speak at Nelly Agbogu's Marketing and Structure School, and for the first time, I heard her say that she was running about 29 adverts DAILY.

I was like… WHAAAAAT?!

You may even wonder why her adverts seem to follow you everywhere. You see them on social media, and before you know it, they have entered your dreams😁. Those adverts remind me of Temu adverts, it's everywhere you go.

But beyond the adverts, what really caught my attention is the system behind the numbers.
Her business reportedly fulfills about 500 or more orders daily, and somehow, she still manages to maintain her steeze.

How does she do it?
That's exactly the kind of knowledge entrepreneurs need to learn.

She has a training coming up, so if you want to understand more about advertising, sales and scaling, please look out for it and enroll.

These three women have impacted my life in ways I cannot fully explain.

Through their content, their trainings and, most importantly, the businesses they are building, they have shown me that business growth is not just about making money.

It is about having the right knowledge, systems, structure, strategy and consistency.

So, today, I simply want to say THANK YOU to these women for being such a FORCE.
And also let the 3 of you know that I love you 🥰.

If you are an entrepreneur and you genuinely want to improve your business, follow people who are already doing what you desire to achieve. Learn. Invest in knowledge. Apply what you learn.

I hope this helps someone today.

And if you enjoy practical food business tips, please follow me here and subscribe to my YouTube channel, Virtue Ottoh.

I share content about food, food business, marketing, pricing and building a successful food brand.

I'm rooting for your success.
Go and build the business of your dreams.

Virtue Ottoh🍎

#chiomaifeanyieze
#nellyagbogu
#augustankanu
#virtueottoh
#businesstips

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Virtue Ottoh

We had to jump on THE FOUR trend.

We couldn't let it pass without showcasing our own FOUR.

Four favourites. One brand. Quality you can trust.

Congratulations, Funke Akindele.

We are excited to see another huge success that will come with THE FOUR.

#VeeclassicFoods #TheFour #FunkeAkindele

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1 2

1 week ago | [YT] | 6

Virtue Ottoh

NO MARKETING EFFORT IS A WASTE

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is thinking, “I advertised and nobody bought, so the marketing was a waste.”

Not necessarily.

Marketing is not only about getting an immediate sale. Marketing is about creating awareness, building trust, positioning your brand and staying in the mind of your potential customers until they are ready to buy.

Think about it: someone may see your product today but not need it. Another person may love what you offer but not have the money yet. Someone else may be comparing you with other brands. Another person may be watching your content quietly and waiting to see if your business is trustworthy.

This is why you should understand that people are at different stages of the buying journey.

Some are just discovering your brand.
Some are interested and learning more.
Some are comparing their options.
Some already trust you and are almost ready to buy.
And some are ready to buy immediately.

Your job as a business owner is to consistently show up and communicate value to all of them.

People need to trust you before they buy from you.

And trust is rarely built with one post, one advert or one conversation.

People want to see your product repeatedly. They want to see reviews. They want to know who is behind the business. They want to see your consistency. They want to know that you will still be there after they pay.

That takes time.

So when you advertise and someone doesn't buy immediately, don't automatically conclude that your money or effort was wasted.

Your marketing may have created awareness.
It may have introduced someone to your brand.
It may have answered a question in their mind.
It may have built a little more trust.
It may have planted a seed that will become a sale weeks or months later.

Marketing is planting. Sales are the harvest.

Keep showing up. Keep providing value. Keep building trust. Keep improving your offer.

Not everyone who sees your marketing will buy today, but every consistent marketing effort helps move the right people closer to becoming your customer.

Don't stop marketing simply because everyone isn't buying immediately.

Build the relationship. Build the trust. Stay visible.

When they are ready to buy, you want your brand to be the one they remember.

#MarketingTips #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessTips #Entrepreneurship #BuildYourBrand #CustomerTrust #SalesAndMarketing #BusinessStrategy
#foodbusinesscoach #virtueottoh

1 week ago | [YT] | 10

Virtue Ottoh

How to Win Grants for Your Food Business

Many food business owners believe grants are only for "big companies." That's not true. Growing businesses win grants every year because they prepare well.

Here are a few things that can increase your chances of winning:

1. Register your business with CAC.

2. Keep proper financial records.

3. Have a clear business plan.

4. Solve a real problem with your product.

5. Show evidence that customers already buy from you.

6. Get relevant certifications such as SON or NAFDAC where applicable.

7. Learn how to write a compelling grant application.

8.Learn how to create and go ahead to record an elevator pitch for your business. (you may stumble upon grants that require you act immediately) prepare your elevator pitch and pitch deck. When preparation meets opportunity it yields results.

8. Apply for grants consistently,don't stop after one rejection. (This is important because it took me several years of applying before I won my first business grant).
Don't give up.

Some grants and funding opportunities for Nigerian food businesses include:

- Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme.
- Flourish Africa Business Grant.
-The Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant
- SMEDAN support programmes.
- Bank of Industry (BOI) programmes.
- Lagos Agrithon (for eligible agribusinesses).
- BATN Foundation Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant (for eligible agripreneurs).
- Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YiALTF) and more.

To get notifications for grants you can subscribe to msmeafricaonline notifications.

Remember, grants don't go to the most desperate business, they go to the most prepared business.


Start preparing today so that when the next opportunity opens, you're ready to apply.

Let me know in the comments other factors that will help someone win a grant. Let's learn together.

I'm rooting for your success. 🍷
Virtue Ottoh

#foodbusinesscoach
#foodbusiness
#foodbusinessowner
#howtowingrants
#virtueottoh

1 month ago | [YT] | 9

Virtue Ottoh

How to start a Plantain chips- (A simple step-by -step guide)

Do you want to start a plantain chips business?
You don't need millions to get started, but you do need a plan.

Here's a simple roadmap:
1. Buy quality mature unripe plantains.

2. Peel, slice thinly, and fry in clean vegetable oil.

3. Season and allow the chips to cool completely.

4. Package them in attractive, airtight pouches.

5.Calculate your total cost: plantains, oil, seasoning, packaging, gas, labour, transportation, and every other expense.

6.Price for profit. Don't copy another person's price. Price based on your own costs and your desired profit margin.

7.Register your business name with CAC. It builds trust and prepares your business for growth.

8.Start selling to friends, offices, schools, mini supermarkets / stores, and online.

As your business grows and you've tested the market, take the next step:

9. Improve your packaging and branding. • Obtain certifications such as NAFDAC to increase customer confidence and meet retail requirements.

10. Approach supermarkets, distributors, and wholesale buyers to expand your reach.

Many people think making good plantain chips is enough. It is not.
A successful plantain chips business is built on these factors:

A great product.
Proper costing and pricing.
Professional packaging.
Business registration.
Product certification.
Consistent marketing.
Building Systems and Processes

Start small, but build with the future in mind.

Which stage are you currently in? Let me know in the comments.

I'm rooting for your success🍷
Virtue Ottoh

#foodbusinesscoach
#foodbusiness
#howtostartplantainchipsbusiness
#plantainchipsbusiness
#foodbusinesstips

1 month ago | [YT] | 3