Do you live in PH City or Calabar & have cravings for deliciously prepared seafood & more? Get in Here!

By Kemi Mobuse - Sunday, March 13, 2016

Seafood is one of the most nutritious food that God has seen fit to bless us here with in Nigeria, and having a place where your cravings can be met, be it as a barbecue, or pepper soup or any other, is really uplifting.

Tatafish Foods is one of the leading and most popular seafood restaurant in PH with another branch in Calabar.

KMB got a chance to sit down with the CEO of Tatafish foods, and it was both educative and inspiring, showing us exactly, how far, being passionate can take you..

Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you?

TataFish Foods: I'm Mr. Ogbonna Henry, I'm a loving husband and father and a devout Christian. From Imo state.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What so you do? And what inspires it?

TataFish Foods: I'm an Entrepreneur and I create jobs. My inspiration is practically drawn from my passion to put food on people's tables. Believing that the primary reason entrepreneurs are being blessed with the gift of creativity is not just for only personal satisfaction but mostly to enrich others

Kemi Mobuse blog: What is the name of your brand and what inspired the choice of name?

TataFish Foods: My brand name is TataFish Foods. Poised with the mission to research, produce, package and deliver African seafood meals and drinks with the best customer service experience. Seafood meals that are practically indigenous to the African person and must be organic.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Why did you go into this line of business in particular?

TataFish Foods: The food and beverage industry has the capacity for massive job creation so I decided to create a niche for myself by moving into a sector that has not been exploited at all and that is the African seafood sector.

Basically TataFish Foods is the first indigenous seafood brand in West Africa

Kemi Mobuse blog: How old is your business now, and how has the market reception been since inception?

TataFish Foods: We have been in business for 9 years and counting.

Business is good, I must confess. Customers are like wow! What a concept.

Kemi Mobuse blog : So, what is your motivation?

TataFish Foods: Nothing motivates more than seeing your dreams playing out in reality. Handing over a paycheck to someone and the person basically dancing home makes me work day and night to get more people feel that same way. That's my greatest motivation

Kemi Mobuse blog : And what challenges have you experienced so far that almost made you give up?

TataFish Foods: 2009 June my 1st and only location as at then was destroyed by the then governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, with just 3 days notice. I got a 25year leasehold agreement with the Imo state government on a land situate at the Dan Anyiam stadium (state stadium), I developed a structure there and started cultivating my brand

One day I was informed that the governor asked that my structure should be destroyed for no reason

The 8 other structures around mine was left out, while mine in the middle was bulldozed to the ground

I was the most popular restaurant and bar in owerri then and never was into politics

Some political office holders that had such business interests basically conspired to pull me down

It was a sad experience; I left Imo state till date.

Almost gave up but my drive to create jobs was awakened in me. I opened another one in Port Harcourt and now Calabar.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Wow! That is passion at its Best; I applaud your drive and courage too

TataFish Food: Thanks my sister

Kemi Mobuse blog : Is it your only source of livelihood?

TataFish Foods: For now it is my only source of livelihood.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Do you see yourself doing something else?

TataFish Foods: I will unbundle TataFish into 4 other companies soon that I will communicate to you when the time comes. Definitely this year, work is ongoing.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Where do you see tatafish foods in 5 years/

TataFish Foods: In 5 years I must have sold my franchise all over Africa because I will launch my franchise package by end of this year

Kemi Mobuse blog : What is your own definition of success and how do you plan to achieve it?

TataFish Foods: Food, shelter and clothing is the basic need of Man, once I give it to someone and it's sustainable, then I'm successful. That's my simple definition of success

As I keep up with what I'm doing already I'm growing in my achievement

Kemi Mobuse blog : What does a typical day look like in the life of tatafish foods?

TataFish Foods: A typical day in TataFish is that of a blend of busy market with a touch of love

Kemi Mobuse blog : Do you have the right support system, family and friends, from inception since now?

TataFish Foods: My wife and my kid brother are my pillars. My parents and my mother in law are there for my like 24/7. My man Dr. Chijioke DABRINZE is a friend in deed. He has been there always. And lots more.

Kemi Mobuse blog : If you were given a chance to start over. What would you have done differently?

TataFish Foods: Starting my business from a private property rather than from a leasehold agreement from an irresponsible government. That singular action from government in 2009 took 2 years out from my research but I really do not regret it because it made me understand that psych behind Nigerian politicians.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Given a chance to meet someone from history, dead or alive , in your line of business, who would you choose, why and what would you ask him?

TataFish Foods: I admire the Charisma of Tony Elumelu, for creating TONY ELUMELU ENTEUPRENEUR PROGRAMME (TEEP). Giving African entrepreneurs the platform to excel and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in Africa. I will just ask him what makes him TICK.

Kemi Mobuse blog : What has been your most memorable experience business wise?

TataFish Foods: Developing my own systems software to basically manage my operations from accounting to human resources. That was my turning point in my business.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Give three pieces of advice to upcoming entrepreneurs.

TataFish Foods: My advice to upcoming entrepreneurs is : to discover themselves so they could invest in their passion, they have to know that nature is designed for things to work step by step by step. If you rush you crash, see the end from the beginning so it will guide you as you move.

Then put use the 3 P formula, People, Product Profit

People you serve should take the utmost priority, because if they gave a good customer service experience, they will be loyal to you forever

Then make the product very good and affordable for them before you consider profit

Finally hire the right minds.

Kemi Mobuse blog : How will you like future clients to contact you?

TataFish Foods: Clients can always contact me through my social media platform @TataFishFoods, (twitter, FB and instagram) my website http://Www.tatafish.com. And my customer service line 0700TATAFISH.

Kemi Mobuse blog : Thank You for your time and advice.

TataFish Foods: You are welcome Khemmy. Many thanks too.

More pictures below..