Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Bolaji Akintola. I am a Chartered Accountant with 18 years work experience in Internal Audit and Finance. Prior to my relocation to Canada in April 2018, I worked for about 14 years with a Top Bank in Nigeria – Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. I currently work as a Manager of Internal Audit with the Government of New Brunswick.
In addition to my corporate life, I manage Divine African Market Store, a business I established in 2018 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
I am married with two kids and I love reading at my leisure time.
What was your growing up like?
Growing up was fun in a beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria. I grew up in a family of nine with one brother and five sisters. My Father is an ex-banker while my Mother is a businesswoman. Our house was always filled with families and friends.
Lagos is a city of about 21 million population with a land mass of 3,345 KM 2 compared to New Brunswick’s land mass of 73,000 KM 2 and population of about 800,000. The hustling and bustling life of Lagos has helped me to be resilient any where I find myself.
How/when did you start your business?
The store was established based on my enquiries before relocating to Canada. I was told by friends who had relocated to Fredericton that there were no varieties of Africa food in the city. I was told to bring as much food that can sustain me and my family before seeking alternatives. I saw this as an opportunity and not a challenge.
Divine African Market was therefore established on 7th June 2018 to meet the growing need for African food stuffs as the number of Africans migrating to the province of New Brunswick increases. The business started from our little apartment before opening the physical store on 23rd December 2019
The store is located at Unit 4, 138 Dundonald Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and specializes in sale of food such as Yam, Cassava Flour, African Noodles, and several spices from Africa.
How do you handle a displeased customer?
I apologise to them and offer refunds sometimes.
One word that best describes you?
Resilient
Does your business have a story to tell that you will like to share with us?
The fight for Yam is one of our funny stories. Yam is one of our favorite food in Africa but because its highly perishable, we do not carry it all year round. Sometimes customers have to pre-order to be able to get Yam. On this fateful, a customer had called from Saint John and paid for a Box of Yam which was the last box of Yam available in store. I labeled the box and kept it inside the store. Then a walk- in customer saw the yam and said she will not leave the store without Yam. It became a tussle begging her not to take someone else’s box of Yam. She fought so hard and took the yam away. I had to call the customer from Saint John and begged with a discount for the next batch of Yam.
3 Things you like/dislike about your business?
Likes
- The Joy in people’s faces when they enter the store and realise, they can buy most of their favourite African product.
- Solving the African food problem in New Brunswick
- Meeting People
Dislikes
- The stress that comes with the Job
- Disposing of expired or damaged food
- Challenge of getting a full-time employee
What are your personal goals (5/10 years from now)
To be on the Board of major companies in Canada.
Your biggest accomplishments?
Opening of Divine African Market and surviving Covid -19
Your long-term vision for the company?
To launch Divine African Market store in major cities within New Brunswick
In your view, what risks does Food Stores faces in this clime?
Expired / Damaged products
What advice would you give to anyone looking forward to opening a food store
Do away with fear and believe in yourself. Network as much as you can. Connect with a Mentor for a step by step guide.
How do you relax
Hanging out with my friends and reading motivational books
How Do you balance Business and Family?
There are certain days I do not go to the store. I stay with my family, cook, eat and have fun together.
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