Husband-wife team serve Nigerian cuisine at Schaumburg restaurant
An interview with Anthony Onu, co-owner of Bisi African Restaurant.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: Our restaurant specializes in homemade Nigerian cuisine. Dining, carry out and catering are available. We are the only Nigerian restaurant in the Northwestern suburbs. My wife and I run the business.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: My wife is the chef and has been cooking from a very young age and is very passionate about cooking. I am there to support her so others can enjoy her food. We’ve always wanted our own business because. We have a 15-year-old autistic son who works at the restaurant with us for the summer.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in starting a small business?
A: The most difficult obstacle for us has been getting financing for the equipment we needed to open the restaurant while not having great credit history.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: What I enjoy the most is when my 2-year-old daughter says she wants to go to mommy’s restaurant.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young?
A: I never pictured myself running a restaurant. Growing up I’ve always wanted to be a business owner but not restaurant. My parents owned their own business.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: What keeps me up at night is the fear of failing. I think about this and it also motivates me to put in 110 percent of effort in making this establishment last for generations to come.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Tips for rookie business owners include being very careful how you use credit and be very prudent in your spending. Most importantly, keep your credit score high so when you approach a bank for a loan, it will make your life a little easier. Whatever business you plan on starting, get a solid business plan and work that business plan, and do not let anything or anyone stand in your way.
Ÿ Every Monday we feature a small suburban business. We want to hear about yours. Contact Kim Mikus at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
Bisi African Restaurant
Address: 853 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg IL 60193
Owners: Anthony Onu & Kafilat Agaba
Years in Business: Restaurant opened this summer. Catering company opened two years.
Web address: www.bisirestaurant.com