JB's Grill - A Diner's Delight

Meet , a blazing serial entrepreneur and boss of JB’s Grill. He’s a chef, an avid reader and learner, traveler and wrist-watch aficionado who enjoys sports like boxing, car-racing and cage-fighting. He tells us more about JB’s Grill and bar.

ABOUT JB’S GRILL

JB’s grill is a warm, homely place to hang out with friends or business partners when you need a cool atmosphere to have discussions without struggling to hear yourself over very loud music. It is a place to feel at home and rest after a long day. With home-styled food and personalized cocktails it doesn’t come across as a formal diner. We strive to meet every customers taste in meals. It is also a sports bar for the football enthusiasts. The name JB was coined from my middle name which is John-Bosco. JB’s grill has been in existence for three years even though the concept has always been there right from my university days. I’ve always owned a grill and had friends over for regular barbecues. So the idea to turn the hobby into a business was inspired my wife and friends and it wasn’t a hard decision. I’ve attended grilling conventions and cooking courses so I make my recipes and cocktails myself and they are named according to events, friends or celebrities. As for our customers, JB’s grill caters to responsible, like-minded, upscale and mature clients.

HIGHS AND LOWS OF RUNNING THE BUSINESS

The challenges faced running the business and any other business in Nigeria is basically corruption, not just outward corruption but also corruption of the mind, generally having to deal with lazy staff or service providers who don’t want to work hard to earn an honest wage and people who have a mediocre attitude to work. Everyone wants to get rich quick without starting from somewhere. I waited tables and worked as a barman back in the day and that knowledge has helped me in running my business today. We need a reorientation to our attitude to work and service. Another challenge I face is keeping accurate records which is very important for every business. On that aspect, though I have people who handle my books/accounts, I’m also taking courses to improve my knowledge on that level. For me, learning never stops.

On the other hand, the delight I get from running my business comes every time a customer is satisfied or when people come back for more of my services. I get paid through compliments that I receive. When you find out what customers enjoy, you give it to them and you add extra, I believe that makes you stand out in your business

WHAT OTHER BUSINESSES ARE YOU INTO

Before starting out in business, I thought of the basic human needs which are food, clothing, shelter and mobility. So I decided to take them up. Apart from running JB’s Grill, I also have a clothing business, I design and sell houses and also sell customized cars. These business ideas are born of the logic that if you sell food, you’ll never go hungry, sell clothes; you’ll never go naked and so on. I am usually very motivated by the building up and developing stages of my businesses, once it is fully set up and running well, I try to find something new to do. A business should be like a proper functioning car or machine; anyone should be able to handle it in your absence.

SOCIAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA IMPACT ON BUSINESS

I haven’t really given it a thought even though you can find JB’s Grill on Facebook. In this era though, it would be unwise not to take advantage of the platforms that social and digital media have to offer.

COMMENTS ON THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

Nigerian artistes are impressive and doing a very wonderful job. They are going places and JB’s Grill also tries to showcase upcoming acts before they launch out and become big names. In the past, we've had gigs with Bez, Jesse Jags, Lindsey, Yoye to mention a few. On the other hand, the movie industry still has a long way to go. Most of the movies which potray ‘jazz’ as a way of life serve as a misrepresentation of the Nigerian society as a whole. There is much room for improvement.

ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT IN BUSINESS

In order to succeed in your chosen endeavor, you should Know it, Want it, Desire it! Have passion for what you do, drive for fulfillment and strive to please.