Founding a start-up with the support of Audencia's incubator

Name: Nonso Chukwuma
Current position: Founder of Chooka-France
Degree earned at Audencia: IMM 13
Other degrees: Bachelor of Science and Education (2010), University of Lagos
Nationality: Nigerian
Residence: Nantes - France  

Professional path
During his final project for the International Master in Management (IMM) at Audencia, Nonso discovered that the exotic juice market in France had strong growth potential. With support from Audencia’s incubator, he founded Chooka-France.
Chooka creates and commercialises entirely natural non-alcoholic gourmet juice beverages for hotels, spas, bars, restaurants, fine grocery stores and wine cellars. Chooka beverages are completely natural and made with innovative techniques to preserve both their nutritional benefits and delicate flavours.
The business has been up and running for over a year, and Nonso says it keeps him busy. “My tasks range from marketing to sales, communication, business development and strategy. Currently, we are a team of four operating in France, but next year, we plan to look to abroad; there are vast opportunities for innovative French products in international markets.”

Passions
This challenging project suits Nonso’s interests in a number of ways. “I am passionate about learning, and my job keeps me busy and learning all the time.”
Nonso is also driven to help people through his entrepreneurial endeavours. “This is why Chooka engages in corporate and social responsibility activities back in my home country of Nigeria, as well as with local businesses in France. We work directly with a farming community in Nigeria and help improve their lives and businesses, providing support and sustainability for them.”
This community provides Chooka with ingredients – namely, hibiscus flowers – produced in a natural way that allows for both rich flavours and health benefits. Chooka works in close collaboration with this farming community and provides a small number of scholarships to students there. Chooka will be launching a crowdfunding campaign in 2016, to raise funds for further developing the partnership with this agricultural community in Nigeria. “My project has helped me touch the lives of people, positively,” Nonso says.
Nonso emphasises that it’s also important to take some time to unwind. He likes painting and discovering the natural beauty of Nantes by cycling. And of course, he enjoys football too!

Most memorable experience at Audencia
Even two years later, Nonso is in touch with his fellow IMM classmates. His friends from Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Brazil and India were – and are – an important part of his Audencia experience.
He also clearly remembers the incubator that helped him start Chooka. “Starting with my project, Audencia created an incubator that helped young companies with bright ideas be able to take off. Where I come from, there were no business incubators until about a year ago, when the first-ever entrepreneurship programme was launched, the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme – or TEEP.”

Advice to international students looking to work in France
Nonso recommends learning the language early – he’s been learning French while running his business. “Now I’m getting the hang of the language, but it took some time. As an English speaker, you lose time and credibility if you don’t speak French.”
He also urges students to understand the cultural and financial aspects. “When you start, you have to know how to sell yourself as well as the business. You need people who give you information, opportunities, networks, start-up funds, etc. You have to be ready to give your life to the business.” Above all, he says, it requires resilience and a love of learning.

Staying in touch with Audencia
Nonso stays in touch with his IMM classmates, who really helped form his experience at Audencia. He also notes that Audencia Alumni activities in Nantes are good for networking.