Our LagosMums mum of the month is Toyin Onigbanjo, an award-winning entrepreneur, a sucker for healthy eating, wife, and mum. We enjoyed talking with her. Read more about this amazing mum as she shares her passion for nutritious food and recipe creation.
Please tell us about yourself?
My name is Toyin Onigbanjo, A mum of 2, wife to one and Founder, Augustsecrets Nigeria. I am an award-winning entrepreneur, a sucker for healthy eating, and the growth of women and families.
Tell us one unexpected thing about you
One unexpected thing about me is that I prefer to be indoors with my family than party. Some people also hardly believe my company started as a hobby and I never believed I could leave my job for it.
Can you share all the hats/roles that you wear?
Mummy, Wife, Sister, CEO, Mentor and Encourager
Tell us about your beautiful family?
I come from a closely knitted family and also have a husband: Olawale Onigbanjo, who is my best friend. We have 2 beautiful kids, Jaden and Joanne. My older child inspired our business: Augustsecrets
What has surprised you the most about motherhood?
Nothing really, I sort of expected everything I am seeing now.
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
The act of sacrifice.
Can you tell us some of the funniest things your children have said or done?
Joanne, my 4 year old saw us greet a family friend after church. After we parted ways with the man, she asked “What about his wife and children?”
Share your professional journey
I began my career teaching and freelance writing and from there I joined the News Agency of Nigeria as a reporter. After 6 years, I resigned to begin Augustsecrets which I started as a hobby. I used to write features, news and audio stories during my time as a journalist.
Shortly before moving to Augustsecrets, I took courses in Child Nutrition. It’s been 3 years of running and 2 official years and I have been in charge of the Food Content Creation and Marketing. I have always being passionate about nutritious food and recipe creation.
Tell us about turning your Passion into Profit.
I returned with my son to Nigeria with all of the foreign foods I could lay my hands on as a first time mum. Unfortunately, my son wouldn’t have any of them. I struggled with feeding him and resuming to work and that revived the foodie in me.
I started to create amazing recipes from the 100% natural foods we have around in addition to taking a course in Child Nutrition to guide me.
Then I went further to create a company from this simple hobby when the demands from other moms who had fussy eaters overwhelmed me. I saw a great need for my passion and filled it.
Since 2016 and now, I can boldly say that my Recipe Creation talent has helped to save thousands of children from malnutrition as many moms are clueless on how to feed their children healthy meals.
Augustsecrets provides super delicious organic foods and snacks from local foods that are fun to eat and easy for moms to make.
What inspired your recent rebranding.
Like I mentioned earlier, Augustsecrets was started as a hobby. I never had structure and processes in place to scale. As a leader of an enterprise producing foods for young children, it was important for my team and I to take a look into scaling Augustsecrets to reach more families while keeping standards intact.
This was the inspiration behind the new Augustsecrets evolving from being a baby food business to a child nutrition brand. Our vision is to be the leading Child Nutrition brand nourishing the wholesome child by providing solutions from conception to school age for your children. Africa has a lot of good food. Augustsecrets wants to showcase them to the world and also reduce the rate of malnutrition amongst African children through behavioural change communication for healthy meal choices.
How do you use Digital media to grow your business?
Digital media has really been a great tool for us to grow our business. It has helped us amplify the testimonials that we get and brought us closer to amazing partners and collaborators. Of course we reach up to 200,000 families there too.
[Tweet “Augustsecrets provides super delicious organic foods and snacks from local foods that are fun to eat and easy for moms to make. ~ Toyin Onigbanjo”]
Can you give your top three tips on how to make children eat healthy.
Firstly, prioritise healthy eating especially for children. Some people actually think kids should eat just biscuits and juice. Children need healthy food more than anyone else. Secondly, start early. Don’t wait until the kids are 5 and begin to reject good food before you start getting worried. Begin by introducing healthy purees such carrots, sweet potatoes. Last but not the least, shop healthy. What you shop for is what you cook. Make it healthy.
Work-Life Balance or Work-Life Integration? Does Work-Life Balance exist?
I believe in Balance and Integration as well. Sometimes when the kids are growing, you might have to make some sacrifices that slows you down in your career and business.
Rather than feel left out, it’s better to remain thankful and integrate your work with your family values as you grow. I am passionate about helping women get this right so I share tips about how busy women can find balance, daily across my platforms.
How important is a support system for a mum?
A support system is important for mums because a lot is expected of us. I am not ashamed to say I have a strong support system: My mom, my husband, friends and Augustsecrets team are all in my support group.
What advise will you give a Mum who is trying to balance motherhood and business?
Set priorities and understand timing. For instance, I believe it is normal for things to slow down if you run a small business and just had a baby. A new baby requires attention. No amount of money or growth you need in your business can make up for the bond between your baby and you in the first few months of life, so I think mothers should resist pressure to make everything perfect all at once.
Use one word to describe one thing that should not be missing from every home?
LOVE.
How do you relax and spend time on yourself?
I eat out with my family and pay visits to friends. I also go for massages and try to take rests when I can (even though I feel it’s never enough)
As a Yummy Mummy – can you tell us how you stay stylish and your beauty routine.
I do my work-out at least every 2 days to keep fit physically and mentally. I also recently cut down on soda and take my vitamin supplements. This has kept me refreshed, healthier and more beautiful.
What are the top three survival skills LagosMums need?
Mums need to learn to ask for support and they should expect less from people to avoid disappointments. Also, do your best and leave the rest.
What do you love about LagosMums?
LagosMums provides latest updates on how to be a 21st century parent. I love the weekly nuggets and reassurance from the team. LagosMums also supports other mums.
[Tweet “Mums need to learn to ask for support and they should expect less from people to avoid disappointments ~ Toyin Onigbanjo “]
#MumGoals Trivia
○ N1 million or more sleep?
More sleep please! Lol
○ Go on a shopping spree or all expenses trip to your top destination
Shopping Spree please!
○ Homeschooling or traditional school
Traditional School!
○ A spa day or Eat out?
Both please.! Lol
Visit LagosMums Mum of the Month category to read from other mums who share their motherhood journey.
