Buttery popcorn is not that big of a deal in Omobolanle Abajingin’s home country of Nigeria. But here in her new home of Canada, it has made her an entrepreneur all over again.
Omobolanle Abajingin, or Mobola for short, moved here six years ago along with her three children due to safety and security concerns in Nigeria. There she ran a haberdashery or sewing shop, and a boutique that sold merchant’s wares.
Abajingin missed the business world, and shortly after her move to Canada, she got fully immersed in all things popcorn experience.
“During the pandemic lockdowns, we started doing home movie nights as a family. Each week we would season the popcorn differently and experiment with different flavours,” Abajingin said.
“I started researching the entire market. The United States has a huge appetite for gourmet popcorn.”
She partnered with the Public Health Sudbury & Districts to become certified in her New Sudbury home. She also worked with the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program, or NOBEEP for training.
The business plan was vetted by the Sudbury Regional Business Center. From there, Abajingin invested in industrial strength machinery and the heavy duty popping began.
You can say that entrepreneurial spirit runs in Abajingin’s veins and was inherited from her mom.
“My father died when I was quite small. My mom was raising three kids alone and was always looking for ways to tap into different markets,” Abajingin said.
She loves the challenge. “I am not afraid to test new markets,” she added.
Armed with popcorn and ambition, Abajingin tackled the market when it was stationed at Bell Park, then Science North and now downtown.
To date, there are 12 flavours available to customers. Abajingin loves Garlic Parmesan and African Heat. Her kids love kettle corn and rainbow popcorn. She said Sudburians love their salt and really enjoy the Dill Pickle seasoning.
Abajingin's husband is also a businessman and travels back and forth still to their home city, the economic hub of Lagos, Nigeria. That’s why her daughter, Juanita, is her business partner of sorts. Her son and her work on her other venture, a 360-degree photo booth company in town.
With no one named “Zena” in the family, it’s hard to understand why Abajingin chose that name to represent her brand.
“It’s a name I have always gravitated towards,” she said.
As the Persian word for “woman”, Abajingin believes the word “Zena” shows the strength and independence of a woman.
Zena's Gourmet Popcorn is now in its third year of operation. Over the years, she has taken batch orders for the Refettorio, Cinéfest, Health Sciences North and Greater Sudbury Fire Services.
The company is listed on Skip the Dishes and Uber Eats and a lot of customers are returning week after week to the market which Mobola feels is the greatest feedback she can receive.
“Moms and dads like it. Grandparents really like to spoil their grandchildren with our flavours. Long haul drivers like the snacks for their long drives. Many buy it for their own movie nights, too, and that is how it all began,” Abajingin said.
To learn more about Zena's Gourmet Popcorn, visit the Instagram page or visit the booth at the Indoor Market each week in the downtown core.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
