Startup Story
The restaurant business is an exciting one to enter for any passionate foodie entrepreneur, but it is also potentially one of the most challenging. Getting access to expert advice in starting up a successful new restaurant or turning around an existing one is key. Mo Consult, founded by Modupe Sanders, is a business offering just such a specialist service to its clients.
LoA found out more about this niche business by chatting to founder Modupe Sanders this month.
What does your company do?
At Mo Consult, we are a one-stop comprehensive restaurant consultancy firm. We provide world-class restaurant start-up and turnaround services to our clients. We offer practical and relevant experiences ranging from the dish room to the boardroom. I track the $11.5 billion global consumer food-service industry down to the transactional level. We apply strategic methods tailored to specific issues ranging from value enhancement, to increased revenue generation, improved guests’ experiences, exponential growth and international brand exposure.
We have all it takes to meet your needs. Ranging from concept development, market research, brand designing, kitchen setup, menu planning, staff training and marketing plan. We have over 12 years F&B experience in setting up QSRs, Fast Casuals, Fine Dining, Cafes, Lounge Bars, Cafeterias and Mobile Kitchens. We provide innovative, efficient and practical solutions, ranging from new concept developments to existing operations assessment.
“We provide world-class restaurant start-up and turnaround services to our clients.”
What inspired you to start your company?
My inspiration comes from the strong desire to collaborate with people in developing more of an exceptional food service delivery across the globe, and especially in Africa.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
My services are special because of the years of diverse experiences gained across the globe and locally. Also, my passion to exceed my past accomplishments in the food production and service industry.
Tell us a little about your team
My team comprises of people that are smarter than I am in different areas of the business. They are experts in their fields. We come together to collaborate on projects, as and when the need arises.
“We apply strategic methods tailored to specific issues ranging from value enhancement, to increased revenue generation, improved guests’ experiences, exponential growth and international brand exposure.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I was born with a silver spoon, but lost it before I was 10 years old when my Dad lost his sight from glaucoma. He became blind in both eyes and was unable to work anymore. After many surgeries the family was almost penniless. We went from being homeowners, to renting apartments, to being thrown out into the street when we could not afford to pay rent anymore. It was sometime in between all of this that I knew I had to make a difference for myself. When I became old enough, I initially started taking up ushering jobs and did a few runway and TV commercials. I knew the uncertainties that came with these jobs, so I started thinking about an alternative income stream to support my education.
I started the entrepreneurial journey when I was 16 years old, by supplying my Aunt with stationery at her company. I would buy the stationery (printing paper, envelopes and binders) at Eko market and resell to her company after adding an extra bit on the cost price. This gradually increased as she made sure to introduce me to her friends. My customers list gradually grew. I was able to pay for my fees at UNAD. It was after a few years of running this business model, I was able to save some money, I wanted a better life and decided to work towards it. I applied to study in a university in the UK and got in. I was excited but pretty scared.
I arrived in the United Kingdom completely clueless as to how I was going to afford to pay my £9,000 yearly tuition fees after paying the initial school fee deposit. This prompted me to start my Errand Service Business. I provided all sorts of services ranging from cleaning out the garage to waiting for a parcel, walking dogs etc. Besides running my business, I started working in the Hospitality industry with various multinational companies like Hilton, Birmingham City Council, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, just to mention a few. Along the way, I discovered my passion for cooking. I started cooking bowls of food for friends and university colleagues. This grew gradually to catering for private functions and also for weddings.
Upon my return, after I completed my three years of studies, I started working in the advertising industry while still running my catering business. I finally set up my Chain of Restaurant (Chronicles Restaurant) in 2013, and we have not stopped growing since then!
“We have all it takes to meet your needs. We provide innovative, efficient and practical solutions, ranging from new concept developments to existing operations assessment.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I believe the company will have had a global presence with nothing less than a 100 client base in five years.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
My ability to contribute to the lives of so many of our stakeholders gives me a lot of satisfaction. I am inspired by the seed that keeps germinating daily. I am excited at being able to manage my time and be anywhere in the world, while my businesses are still productively running.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Dream big, start small and scale very quickly.
Contact or follow Mo Consult
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL mosanders.consult@gmai.com
Why LoA loves it….
For any woman entrepreneur launching a business into the highly competitive restaurant business, the journey can get tough. It is essential to get specialists on-side to help with navigating that journey through to success. Modupe Sanders is a vital source of the right kind of help, knowing the industry inside-out and providing solutions for any aspirant restauranteur looking to startup, or indeed, the existing restauranteur looking to implement a viable turnaround strategy. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa