"Bankole Dunsin's Journey: Establishing Ventures as a Hybrid Wanderer in Rwanda's Digital Landscape"
In late 2021, Bankole Dunsin, a versatile individual with interests in bartending, food, and music, embarked on a new journey in Rwanda. His street food bistro, offering a unique blend of Nigerian staples like jollof rice and casual dishes, attracted a diverse audience, primarily consisting of Nigerians living in Rwanda and young Rwandans curious about other countries' food exports and flavors.
However, after a year of operation, the restaurant closed its doors. The primary reason for the closure was the departure of some partners, which left an excessive workload and costs on Dunsin's plate, coupled with his day job commitments at a creative agency. Additionally, high setup costs, challenges in sourcing Nigerian spices and ingredients, and running a large menu contributed to the difficulties. Reflecting on this, Dunsin mentioned he would have narrowed the menu to focus on perfecting a single popular item, such as fries, which were well-liked by the local crowd.
Despite the closure of his food venture, Dunsin's business activities remain diversified. He now works as the creative director at WeTalkSound, a full-stack creative agency that blends technology and design. His past experiences, including working as the creative director for the ATSG project by Nigerian rapper Reminisce, have undoubtedly enriched his current role.
As for his next venture, Dunsin ventured into the tech-based fitness industry, creating customized meal plans to bridge the gap between gym training and nutrition. However, this business also faced economic challenges, leading to its closure.
Although there is no indication of a new food-based business in Rwanda from Bankole Dunsin, food remains close to his heart, and he admits there is a part of him that would like to return to the industry someday.
[1] Source: Personal interview with Bankole Dunsin [3] Source: WeTalkSound official website
- Bankole Dunsin's past venture, a street food bistro serving Nigerian dishes, attracted a diverse audience in Rwanda, showcasing entrepreneurship in the food-and-drink industry powered by his passion for food and lifestyle.
- Despite the closure of both his food business and tech-based fitness venture, Dunsin's versatility in business, spanning from food to technology, is evident in his role as the creative director at WeTalkSound, a technology-driven creative agency.
- Dunsin's future plans hint at a possible return to the food-and-drink sector, as he expressed a desire to revisit the industry someday, illustrating his enduring love for food and the potential for startup businesses.
- The journey of Bankole Dunsin, moving from a unique street food bistro to tech-based fitness and creative director roles, exemplifies the challenges and opportunities in combining finance, technology, and entrepreneurship to create a dynamic lifestyle business in different sectors.
