Jennifer Okpapi

Jennifer managed to gain funding for her business and turned her passion for food into the UK’s first cookery school dedicated to African cuisine and now offers a range of day classes, courses as well as the school's own range of food products.

Jennifer Okpapi

Jennifer Okpapi began the Akhaya Cookery School in North London in 2010, but had dreamt of being an entrepreneur long before: “I’ve always known I’ve wanted to run my own business”.

After graduating from university, Jennifer decided to study Professional Cookery at college, having been enthusiastic about cooking from a very young age.

Jennifer also managed to gain funding for her business and turned her passion for food into the UK’s first cookery school dedicated to African cuisine. She now offers a range of day classes, courses as well as the school’s own range of food products.

Jennifer acknowledges that there are always challenges to setting up a business and understands the worries concerning funding and support, but says that: “the idea of having your own business and loving what you do, goes someway to overriding those concerns”.

She enjoys being her own boss for many reasons including the ability to manage her own time and set her own priorities, but Jennifer knows from experience that it takes hard work to succeed. Her advice is to keep at it. “It is challenging and there will be times when you feel like giving up, but perseverance and determination are key”.

However, there’s no need to go it alone and the Akhaya Cookery School owes a small part of its success to Jennifer having a number of mentors she can call on for advice and support. “Having a mentor has been hugely beneficial. It’s great to have someone who’s there to advise you of pitfalls or just to encourage you”.

Although it’s hard work, following your passion can be hugely rewardingand for Jennifer, the Akhaya Cookery School is the realisation of a dream. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world”.

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