How I turned my campus kitchen into a thriving business —Kemi Irinoye, Executive Director, KEA Group

Kemi Irinoye, Executive Director of KEA Group is a dynamic Nigerian enterprise with thriving interests in catering, corporate hospitality, and media production. In this interview with Busola Oworu, she shares how she built her business from a student hustle into a multi-sector brand, and why she believes that integrity, creativity, and hard work are the true foundations of success.

How did your background in Agricultural Economics influence your business approach?

It helped me understand the basics of demand and supply, pricing, and bookkeeping. For many years, I couldn’t afford an accountant, so I applied what I learned in school to manage costs and operations. That knowledge still guides my decisions today.

KEA started when I was a student at Obafemi Awolowo University. I actually wanted to be a medical doctor, but I was offered Agricultural Economics. During my second year, I met a bright engineering graduate who couldn’t find a job after one year, and that got me thinking — what if I graduate and face the same thing?

The only skill I had then was cooking. As the first daughter in a family of five, my mum made sure I learned it well. My friends loved my food, so by my 300-level, I decided to start cooking commercially. My first catering job served about 70 people, and that’s how KEA Catering was born.

What were the biggest challenges when you started out?

My age was a major barrier. People thought I was too young to handle big catering jobs. I would speak professionally on the phone, but once clients met me in person, they’d say, “She’s too small!”

I overcame that by letting my work speak for me. One of my first wedding jobs went so well that people started to take me seriously. I gave every opportunity my best, and slowly, the perception changed.

KEA has expanded into three different sectors. How did that happen?

Honestly, it wasn’t planned. I just made sure to do every job excellently. When I moved to Ibadan in 2015, I got an opportunity to manage a restaurant owned by the founder of Libra TV. I did so well that he offered me a role at the TV station. That’s how I ventured into media.

While at Libra TV, I learned production through online platforms like No Film School. Eventually, I produced my own show, which led to the birth of KEA Media. The corporate hospitality arm came later, through my volunteer work with JCI (Junior Chamber International), where I planned large events. Each new opportunity just connected to the next.

What makes KEA stand out in your industry?

Our passion and integrity. We truly care about people, not just profits. Whether we’re catering an event or producing content, we want clients to feel proud they chose us.

We’ve worked with GTBank, Airtel, and the Ooni of Ife’s Palace, and what sets us apart is consistency and sincerity. We don’t overpromise. Whatever we say we’ll do — we do it.

What principles guide your business philosophy?

Three things: integrity, excellence, and honesty. Integrity means standing by your word. Excellence means refusing to settle for average. Honesty means ensuring clients can trust us completely. These principles guide every decision, even when it costs us profit, because we’re building a brand meant to last.

How do you balance creativity and profitability?

That’s always tricky. Creativity can be expensive, but it’s also what keeps us relevant. Sometimes, we prioritise creativity over profit because we want our work to stand out. Other times, we focus on sustainability. It’s about knowing when to take a creative risk and when to play safe — but creativity almost always wins with us.

What role does technology play in your operations?

A huge one. Our office is 80% solar-powered. We use platforms like Zoom and Monday.com to manage projects and communicate across teams. Technology has helped us streamline workflow, expand visibility, and learn new things faster.

Which project would you say marked a turning point for you?

The Honourable Tungba TV Show. Winning that project changed everything. We had to formally register KEA Media to bid for it, and when we won, it gave us credibility. It made us believe that we could compete with established production houses.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I’d say democratic. I like to involve my team in decisions because it gives them a sense of ownership. But I can also be a coach, a servant leader, or even autocratic when the situation demands it. Flexibility has helped me lead effectively.

You often speak about mentorship. How has that shaped your journey?

Mentorship has been everything. I’ve had people guide me at crucial moments. For instance, when I wanted to rent a shop in Ibadan, a mentor advised me to get a two-bedroom apartment instead — one room for living, one for catering. That advice saved me money and helped me grow faster. Now, I mentor others. I enjoy listening to people, sharing ideas, and helping them find direction. It’s one way I give back.

Finally, what’s your vision for KEA Group, and what advice do you have for women entrepreneurs?

We consolidated all our companies into KEA Group in 2023, and my goal is to make it one of Africa’s leading brands in hospitality, media, and catering — known for creativity, quality, and integrity. For young women, my advice is: start small but start smart. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Be consistent, stay honest, and hold on to your values. You can build something great from wherever you are.