Phillip Jesse Nabwiso describes himself as “a 24-year-old entrepreneur, Rotaractor and family person who believes that nothing is impossible with God, perseverance and grit.” After juggling various roles in management and economics, he found his passion in food. He founded Jesse Foods, an online kitchen, a startup he believes will bloom into a chain of restaurants one day.
What is Jesse Foods Online Kitchen?
Jesse Foods online kitchen is a startup restaurant that was founded on the values of great customer value for money and nutritional benefits to clients. An online kitchen is a business that prepares and serves food utilizing online platforms to source, reach and also deliver to clients. We deliver to our clients wherever they are to eliminate the stress of having to move to and from where they have to find food.
How is tech involved in your operations?
So far, our orders come in via online platforms inclusive of social media. We also do all receipting, signing of contracts with clients and companies online. We then physically deliver to them wherever they are.
What prompted you to start this business?
I love food and everything to do with it. I first tried my hand at this food business during my days at campus, but it never really picked up well, because I was juggling school, work and the business.
How did you start?
I started it as a delivery-on-order business. I’d take orders from friends and colleagues at work, and deliver during breaks, until it slowly peaked up into what it is now. Jesse Foods as it is now has been in existance for one year.
What makes Jesse Foods different from all these other resturants whose services we can access on mobile apps?
At Jesse Foods, value for money, nutritional value to clients and customer care is paramount. We don’t take any of these lightly.
Take us through your professional & career journey?
My professional career kicked off during my form 6 vacation. I worked at Hotel Africana. I then moved to Ezee Money, and worked on a project they were doing with Church of Uganda at that time. Shortly after, when I joined campus, I worked at a Community based organization called SSPP (Students Support Philanthropy Program) as a project coordinator and when the project got done, I started a food delivery business.
I then moved to work with Imagine Me Africa as the Executive Assistant to the Founder. I then juggled school, work and the food delivery business. The food business suffered greatly because of that. In 2017, I moved to CEO magazine before joining Letshego to do credit banking, something I consider one of my passions. During my time there, the spark for food struck again. I started Jesse Foods, which I now do full time.
Did you have some professional training in culinary services?
Yes I did and still do! I got some training from Kavitha of Kampala Food Network. I also love to learn, so I’m always checking out food channels on YouTube. I wouldn’t say I’m very skilled, I just enjoy doing this, and learning all the time. I work with a team which I lead, and collectively we work together to bring the Jesse Foods experience to life.
What has been your experience running this business so far?
Only lessons! Patience, perseverance, not taking customer feedback personally, networking a lot, loving the process and always striving to grow and improve the brand and the meals we offer; be it to daily clients or for outside catering at events.
What are some of the challenges involved?
You must be constantly learning and innovating. There’s also the time factor given the orders that pile up at peak hours. Plus also keeping a team together when you’re a startup.
To access Jesse Foods’ services, hit them up on Facebook here.
satisfashionug@gmail.com
