Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Lawanson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My introduction to becoming a “snack tycoon” was quite interesting and unbeknownst to me at the time . It all started back in the 80s when I was just a wee lad running around the kitchen with my brother and friend, playing tag while my mom and her siblings were whipping up some patties and chin-chin. Little did I know that years later, I’d be the guardian of my mom’s secret chin-chin recipe and taking it to the masses.

For those who don’t know, chin-chin is a West African cookie-like snack that’s taken Nigeria by storm. People have tried to replicate my mom’s recipe, but they always fall short. You see, my mom had a knack for creating the perfect balance of crunch and taste, thanks to her UK baking training and my dad’s discerning palate.

Fast forward to my adult years, and my mom had left the country, leaving a chin-chin void in my life. I didn’t think much of it since I was busy building my career as a graphic design consultant and lecturer. But one day, I tasted a store-bought version of chin-chin, and it was a disaster. I had to speak up and show everyone how it’s done.

I whipped up a batch of my mom’s recipe and brought it back to my family, and they were blown away. The ideas started flowing, and before I knew it, Mikey’s Gourmet was born. I’ve got a design agency, a clothing brand, and even a men’s grooming line in the works, but nothing beats the joy of sharing my mom’s chin-chin recipe with the world.

Now you can get your hands on Mikey’s Gourmet chin-chin online at mikeysgourmet.com. Trust me, it’s a snack that’ll transport you back in time and leave you craving for more. So, what are you waiting for? Go grab some and taste the magic for yourself.

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Introduction: I am Michael Lawanson, an entrepreneur, and the founder of a creative agency called Wolf and Pigeons based in Dallas, Texas. I am grateful to be here today to share my journey with you.

Initially, I began my foray into the business world as a graphic designer, which I consider an art and a gift, and I was a part of several big design projects. But, in my spare time , I would often experiment with making my mom’s snack, and I quickly realized the potential of my mom’s cherished chin-chin recipe and had to share it with the world. It’s called Mikey’s Gourmet Chin-Chin.

Now that Mikey’s Gourmet has taken off, I have expanded my brand to include a clothing line and a beard grooming product.
I am excited to share more about my journey with you today.

How I Got Started:
Growing up as kid, and being the last, I have always wanted something bigger than me. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and I always knew that I wanted to start my own business someday. When I started experimenting with my mom’s chin-chin recipe, I knew that I had stumbled upon something special. I started selling my chin-chin to friends and family in Nigeria, and soon word of mouth spread. I decided to turn my passion for making chin-chin into a business, and that’s how that venture was born, today we sell online to satisfy the taste of people who’s missed the nostalgic taste of authentic chin-chin.

Products/Services/Creative Works:
In addition to my delicious chin-chin and other business endeavors, I am proud to announce that I will be launching my own clothing brand this summer—Liberated Hooligan. I have always been interested in fashion, and I have poured my heart and soul into creating a brand that reflects my personal style and values. I am also excited to offer my own beard grooming product, which is made with all-natural ingredients

Problems I Solve:
As an entrepreneur and owner of a creative agency, my primary objective is to provide solutions for my clients. Through my various ventures, such as my delectable chin-chin, high-quality clothing line, and all-natural beard grooming product, I aim to address specific challenges faced by my customers.

One of the issues I strive to resolve with my chin-chin is its texture. It is created to be crunchy without being hard on the jaw. Additionally, I have received feedback from some of our customers that they appreciate the fact that it doesn’t cause a significant spike in their sugar levels, making it a healthier option.

My creative agency offers a wide range of services, including branding, marketing, and design. Our goal is to help businesses achieve their objectives and differentiate themselves from their competitors. By providing customized solutions that are tailored to each client’s specific needs, we enable them to establish a strong brand identity and attract more customers.

Overall, my mission is to use my skills and expertise to solve problems and make a positive impact on people’s lives.

What Sets Me Apart:
What sets me apart from others is my commitment to quality and authenticity. I believe that the best products are made with love and passion, and I pour my heart and soul into everything that I create. I am also committed to using all-natural ingredients and sustainable practices in my business, which sets me apart from other brands in the market.

What I am Most Proud of:
I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to turn mom’s chin-chin recipe into a successful business. It has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the support of my friends, family, and customers. I am also proud of the fact that I am able to use my platform to support other entrepreneurs and give back to my community.

What I Want Potential Clients/Followers/Fans to Know:
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that I am committed to delivering high-quality products and services that meet their needs and exceeds their expectations. Whether they are looking for delicious chin-chin, stylish clothing, or all-natural grooming products, I am confident that you will love what I have to offer. I am also committed to supporting other entrepreneurs and giving back to my community, so when you support my business, you are supporting a larger cause. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my brand.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I take building relationships with my customers and fostering brand loyalty seriously. It’s important to me that my customers feel appreciated and supported throughout their experience with my brand.

To stay connected with my customers, I use a range of communication channels that suit their preferences, such as emails, social media, and phone calls. I believe that exceptional customer service is key, so whenever a client reaches out with a question or concern, I respond promptly and with genuine care. I always aim to exceed their expectations to ensure their satisfaction.

I also think that creating a sense of community is vital for building brand loyalty which takes engaging with my customers on social media and responding to comments.

Ultimately, treating people with kindness, respect, and appreciation is the key to building relationships with customers and fostering brand loyalty. I hope to create a positive and enjoyable experience for my customers that keeps them coming back for more.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

What about this?

At Mikey’s Gourmet, we decided to use Shopify as our e-commerce platform to sell our delicious snacks. We’ve had a seamless experience using Shopify, and we strongly believe that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

One great thing about Shopify is its user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both beginners and experts to use. The platform is also customizable, with a range of design options that can help create a unique and professional-looking online store. Additionally, Shopify offers built-in marketing tools like SEO optimization, email marketing, and social media integration, which can help attract and engage customers.

However, it’s important to note that there are some potential downsides to using Shopify. For instance, they charge transaction fees for each sale made on their platform, which can affect profit margins over time. Moreover, Shopify hosts the online store on their servers, so businesses have limited control over hosting and server maintenance. Lastly, Shopify also charges a monthly subscription fee, which may add up over time and impact the bottom line.

Despite these challenges, we believe that Shopify has been instrumental in helping our snack business grow and other products that we are launching will be on Shopify. Its benefits are significant, and we recommend it to other businesses looking to sell their products online.

Contact Info:

• Website: mikeysgourmet.com
• Instagram: @mikeysgourmet
• Facebook: @mikeysgourmet
• Linkedin: Michael Lawanson