Founding a start-up with the support of Audencia's incubator
- Keep In Touch
- Le 18 février 2016
Current position: Founder of Chooka-France
Degree earned at Audencia: IMM 13
Other degrees: Bachelor of Science and Education (2010), University of Lagos
Nationality: Nigerian
Residence: Nantes - France
Professional path
During his final project for the International Master in Management (IMM) at Audencia, Nonso discovered that the exotic juice market in France had strong growth potential. With support from Audencia’s incubator, he founded Chooka-France.
Chooka creates and commercialises entirely natural non-alcoholic gourmet juice beverages for hotels, spas, bars, restaurants, fine grocery stores and wine cellars. Chooka beverages are completely natural and made with innovative techniques to preserve both their nutritional benefits and delicate flavours.
The business has been up and running for over a year, and Nonso says it keeps him busy. “My tasks range from marketing to sales, communication, business development and strategy. Currently, we are a team of four operating in France, but next year, we plan to look to abroad; there are vast opportunities for innovative French products in international markets.”
Passions
This challenging project suits Nonso’s interests in a number of ways. “I am passionate about learning, and my job keeps me busy and learning all the time.”
Nonso is also driven to help people through his entrepreneurial endeavours. “This is why Chooka engages in corporate and social responsibility activities back in my home country of Nigeria, as well as with local businesses in France. We work directly with a farming community in Nigeria and help improve their lives and businesses, providing support and sustainability for them.”
This community provides Chooka with ingredients – namely, hibiscus flowers – produced in a natural way that allows for both rich flavours and health benefits. Chooka works in close collaboration with this farming community and provides a small number of scholarships to students there. Chooka will be launching a crowdfunding campaign in 2016, to raise funds for further developing the partnership with this agricultural community in Nigeria. “My project has helped me touch the lives of people, positively,” Nonso says.
Nonso emphasises that it’s also important to take some time to unwind. He likes painting and discovering the natural beauty of Nantes by cycling. And of course, he enjoys football too!
Most memorable experience at Audencia
Even two years later, Nonso is in touch with his fellow IMM classmates. His friends from Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Brazil and India were – and are – an important part of his Audencia experience.
He also clearly remembers the incubator that helped him start Chooka. “Starting with my project, Audencia created an incubator that helped young companies with bright ideas be able to take off. Where I come from, there were no business incubators until about a year ago, when the first-ever entrepreneurship programme was launched, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme – or TEEP.”
Advice to international students looking to work in France
Nonso recommends learning the language early – he’s been learning French while running his business. “Now I’m getting the hang of the language, but it took some time. As an English speaker, you lose time and credibility if you don’t speak French.”
He also urges students to understand the cultural and financial aspects. “When you start, you have to know how to sell yourself as well as the business. You need people who give you information, opportunities, networks, start-up funds, etc. You have to be ready to give your life to the business.” Above all, he says, it requires resilience and a love of learning.
Staying in touch with Audencia
Nonso stays in touch with his IMM classmates, who really helped form his experience at Audencia. He also notes that Audencia Alumni activities in Nantes are good for networking.
En savoir plus sur ...
Dans la même catégorie
-
Overseeing operations at Nike for 25 countries in Europe
Name: Thibault Guillou Current position: Centre of Excellence Operations Manager, Customer Financial Services, Nike Degree earned at Audencia: IMM 08 Other degrees: Bachelor of International Business, École de Management de Normandie, France; Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management, University of South Florida, US Nationality: French Residence: Amsterdam - The Netherlands Professional path Working at Nike as the Centre of Excellence Operations Manager in Customer Financial Services, Thibault oversees operations for about 25 countries in Europe, so every day is a bit different. Laughing, he says, “I prefer it this way, as otherwise I might get bored!” Managing customer risk by overseeing the order-to-cash value stream means wearing many hats: compliance and audit, accounting, tech, operations, sales and so on. “We are the cornerstone of the company, in touch with sales, customers, financial planning, distribution centres – it requires a lot of interpersonal skills and a lot of people management.” Thibault works with people from the UK, France, Germany, Russia and Central Europe, and each region has different cultures and approaches. “There’s no one-size-fits-all to communicate your message. It’s enriching.” After graduating from Audencia, Thibault was contacted by a recruiting agency and moved to the European headquarters of Nike. He loves the world of finance and wants to continue learning about Nike. “The business is expanding, so there are many opportunities.” Thibault has been with Nike for five years – and has had four roles within this time. “What I’m really looking for professionally is to keep learning and having fun.” Passions Thibault actively pursues a healthy work/life balance. “You can’t dissociate work from life. Happiness at work helps with happiness at home.” He loves football and running – and of course, Nike has great facilities for staying active and happy at work. “There’s a lot of freedom and flexibility within the company. The job needs to be done, but you also need to take time to enjoy yourself.” Most memorable experience at Audencia: As a native of France, Thibault has a lot of great memories. “What really sticks with me from my time at Audencia are the people I met in the programme. I still stay in touch with some of my classmates.” What links Thibault’s time at Audencia to his current daily life is his ability to communicate effectively with people of all cultures, personalities and backgrounds. “During the IMM, I spent time in France, Poland and Spain – and was always learning in the international environment of IMM students. I’m now able to leverage the skills I gained from that experience.” Advice to students looking to work abroad As a Frenchman living in the Netherlands, Thibault offers this perspective: “I think it’s natural for me to live abroad because I studied abroad. Living abroad requires curiosity.” Staying in touch with Audencia Thibault is still in touch with many of the friends he made during the IMM programme and hopes that an alumni chapter will be established in the Netherlands.
- Keep In Touch
- Le 17 févr. 2016
-
Avoir un projet bien construit est un accélérateur de carrière
Nom: Pierre Le Du Fonction actuelle: Responsable bureau d'étude Sogetrel Diplôme Audencia: MCI 15 Nationalité: Française Pierre Le Du nous raconte son expérience Decouvrez son portrait ici
- Keep In Touch
- Le 7 mars 2016
Autres actualités
-
Overseeing operations at Nike for 25 countries in Europe
Name: Thibault Guillou Current position: Centre of Excellence Operations Manager, Customer Financial Services, Nike Degree earned at Audencia: IMM 08 Other degrees: Bachelor of International Business, École de Management de Normandie, France; Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management, University of South Florida, US Nationality: French Residence: Amsterdam - The Netherlands Professional path Working at Nike as the Centre of Excellence Operations Manager in Customer Financial Services, Thibault oversees operations for about 25 countries in Europe, so every day is a bit different. Laughing, he says, “I prefer it this way, as otherwise I might get bored!” Managing customer risk by overseeing the order-to-cash value stream means wearing many hats: compliance and audit, accounting, tech, operations, sales and so on. “We are the cornerstone of the company, in touch with sales, customers, financial planning, distribution centres – it requires a lot of interpersonal skills and a lot of people management.” Thibault works with people from the UK, France, Germany, Russia and Central Europe, and each region has different cultures and approaches. “There’s no one-size-fits-all to communicate your message. It’s enriching.” After graduating from Audencia, Thibault was contacted by a recruiting agency and moved to the European headquarters of Nike. He loves the world of finance and wants to continue learning about Nike. “The business is expanding, so there are many opportunities.” Thibault has been with Nike for five years – and has had four roles within this time. “What I’m really looking for professionally is to keep learning and having fun.” Passions Thibault actively pursues a healthy work/life balance. “You can’t dissociate work from life. Happiness at work helps with happiness at home.” He loves football and running – and of course, Nike has great facilities for staying active and happy at work. “There’s a lot of freedom and flexibility within the company. The job needs to be done, but you also need to take time to enjoy yourself.” Most memorable experience at Audencia: As a native of France, Thibault has a lot of great memories. “What really sticks with me from my time at Audencia are the people I met in the programme. I still stay in touch with some of my classmates.” What links Thibault’s time at Audencia to his current daily life is his ability to communicate effectively with people of all cultures, personalities and backgrounds. “During the IMM, I spent time in France, Poland and Spain – and was always learning in the international environment of IMM students. I’m now able to leverage the skills I gained from that experience.” Advice to students looking to work abroad As a Frenchman living in the Netherlands, Thibault offers this perspective: “I think it’s natural for me to live abroad because I studied abroad. Living abroad requires curiosity.” Staying in touch with Audencia Thibault is still in touch with many of the friends he made during the IMM programme and hopes that an alumni chapter will be established in the Netherlands.
- Keep In Touch
- Le 17 févr. 2016
-
Avoir un projet bien construit est un accélérateur de carrière
Nom: Pierre Le Du Fonction actuelle: Responsable bureau d'étude Sogetrel Diplôme Audencia: MCI 15 Nationalité: Française Pierre Le Du nous raconte son expérience Decouvrez son portrait ici
- Keep In Touch
- Le 7 mars 2016