INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR WILSON’S LEMONADE
Can you tell us briefly what Wilson’s lemonade is all about?
•Wilson’s lemonade is about all-natural, never from concentrate goodness. We were tired of the fizzy, artificially flavored and from-concentrate stuff everyone was calling ‘juice’ here. We figured maybe other people were tired of that stuff too. So we set out to provide freshly squeezed, real fruit based drinks. We’ve been humbled by the response we’ve been receiving to date.
What inspired you to start the company Wilson’s lemonade?
•We started the business with the idea of providing a real juice alternative to the from-concentrate, artificially colored and flavored concoctions that were mostly available. We started with less than N2000—which was used to buy a plastic hand juicer and a bag of oranges. From fresh squeezed orange juice, to smoothies and then fresh squeezed lemonade, we were glad to be of service and excited by the responses we received regarding our products. Seun had the genius idea of bottling our lemonade after seeing how 11people cutting, squeezing and mixing could not keep up with the crowd demanding lemonade. We spent nearly 9 months picking, cleaning and reusing old bottles. Afterwards, we started buying generic bottles. And now we have our own uniquely designed Wilson’s brand bottle.
How has the journey been so far in your line of business?
•Nothing worthwhile comes easy. We make mistakes, learn fast, correct our mistakes and keep moving forward.
Can you tell us where you get your fresh lemons from (do you own an orchard?)
We get fresh lemons from different regions of the country. We started buying from the local markets, and now have partners who supply from several states. We have recently started our own test orchard to learn more about the process.
How large is your staff and are they excited about the company’s potential?
•Our team is currently more than 20 people. We are growing fast and everyone is excited about the future. Everyone is well aware of our humble beginnings and we are all grateful for the opportunity and responsibility that has been given us to be creators in this industry—rather than followers of the status quo.
There are many companies in your line of business, producing refreshing juice and drinks in general, how do you stand out?
•There are actually not many companies dedicated to freshly squeezed juices. ‘from-concentrate’ products are much easier to source and produce so many gravitate towards those types of products. We have chosen not to jump in that pool and compete with others. Rather, we have taken the path of ‘creators.’ We have created a new type of product in this market. From the contents inside to the unique bottle shape and story behind each product (many warned us against writing stories. They all said ‘Nigerians don’t read.’ ), we have not followed popular opinion and advise. We are proud of what makes us different and unique. We choose to create, not compete.
Where do you see Wilson’s lemonade in the next five years?
•Wilson’s is a brand, not just a product. We plan to be in several African countries. We also plan to have several product lines that meet the needs of diverse market segments. At the moment, Wilson’s Lemonade is accessible mainly to the higher middle and upper class. We intend to provide the same goodness to the masses. We’re excited by the challenge and believe the future is very bright for us.
What would you tell young entrepreneurs looking to start up in your line of business?
Think very big, but start small. There are many mistakes to be made and many lessons to learn. Set the grand goal, but don’t be scared to take the first small step. Learn fast from your mistakes and be direct with yourself and others about any mistakes. Don’t be scared to start. Don’t hesitate to start. There will never the a right time to start. No matter how small, or at what level, start working on your business today.
Do you think competition is good for business?
•We don’t believe in competition in the traditional sense—ie, fighting over limited resources (be that capital, customers, ideas etc.). Rather, we believe in learning from others and pushing oneself and ones organization to create more, to be more and be better. Competition as most understand it leads to narrow thinking, anxiety, and negative tension. We believe everyone has unique gifts and each person/organization that genuinely adds value to the life of others in a disciplined and creative manner will always advance and grow.
Finally, do you believe that the agribusiness in Nigeria is improving?
•There are many challenges in agribusiness in Nigeria. We are forcing things to improve in our sphere of influence (farmers, team members, customers, distribution and retail partners etc.). It’s important for people to decide where they can add the most value along the chain and focus on adding maximum value there.
~culled from the net
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