Lola Adeyemi
It's Souper
Lola Adeyemi a Nigerian Canadian Immigrant launched her Food & Beverage Company It’s Souper switching from a successful IT Consultant career to entrepreneurship. She started the brand which produces Afro-Fusion Soups & Sauces, because she knew there was a need to fill the void in the mainstream Retail space for African inspired/ethnic recipes made “By Us for All”.
Her brand is the first African & Black owned line of Soups sold in mainstream Canadian Retail and was nominated by the Retail Council of Canada for a Best New Product of the Year Award in 2019.
Her products are currently sold online shipping Canada wide, and across Ontario Canada via retailers such as Sobeys, Whole Foods, Hudson Bay, other Indie retailers.
With a recent addition of two new sauces creating more shelf stable options to the product line – the brand is set and ready for National and International distribution.
As a top-24 semi-finalist who will get to pitch, what does this opportunity mean to you?
It's an honor to be a semi-finalist. It means an opportunity to inspire and be inspired by other black women who have broken barriers and made bold moves to start a business and shine against all odds.
What has been a highlight for you in participating in the Rise Up Pitch Competition?
I enjoyed the 'Finding Your Purpose' and 'The Power of eCommerce' sessions.