“Sometimes, a dream begins in circumstances far from what we imagine for ourselves. My journey began with a desire to support myself, sponsor my education, and build a better future, even when I had very little to work with.” This is exactly how Goodness Osuntoye describes her journey.

Goodness is a 400-level student of Zoology at the University of Lagos and the founder of Hee-raay Foods, a Nigerian snack business she started in 2024. Today, she sells kuli kuli and other snacks. She also runs her first physical kiosk at Makoko Fish Market in Lagos.

From Supermarket Worker to Snack Seller

Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2022. During the ASUU strike, she worked in a supermarket for eight months. After that, she tried many businesses. She sold perfumes, made tote bags, sold ladies’ footwear, and worked as a fashion designer.

At the supermarket, she noticed something: People wanted quality kuli kuli. In 2024, she decided to act on it.

She began with just half a paint of kuli kuli in a small room with very little capital. She sourced her products herself and sometimes carried heavy bags on her head. She also designed her own promotional materials, handled sales, and kept her own records, just to reduce cost. 

How Goodness Did Whatever It Took

Like many other student entrepreneurs, money was the biggest challenge for Goodness. She could not afford to hire help. So, she did almost everything herself.

Sometimes the business needed money she did not have. When that happened, she took extra jobs. She washed clothes, cleaned homes, and ran errands. Then she put the money back into the business.

Those experiences taught her to be resourceful. She now manages money carefully and cuts unnecessary costs.

The Moment It Felt Real

Goodness asserts that opening her kiosk was a big moment. Standing in her own shop, she remembered where she started. She thought of the small room, the half paint, and the heavy bags. The kiosk is a testament of how far she has come.

Beyond having her physical shop, customers also boost her confidence. How they return to buy and recommend her products to others shows her she is building a brand people trust.

Currently, she handles two bags or more every month. In fact, she plans to build her own food processing facility and create jobs for young people.

Her Advice to Students

Goodness believes you do not need to start big. Find a real need and start with what you have. Listen to your customers, keep proper records, and reinvest wisely. She also advises students to be patient. Do not compare your beginning with someone else’s progress.

“You do not have to start big to build something meaningful,” she says. “You have to be willing to start.”