Meet Maria Onisemo | Owner of Nigeria Breeze Restaurant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Onisemo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2020, when my family and I took a vacation to San Diego, CA, we were taken aback by the absence of a Nigerian restaurant. Despite the presence of an African store offering groceries and frozen foods, there seemed to be a gap in the market. This experience inspired me to consider opening a Nigerian restaurant where people from all over Africa can gather to savor authentic Nigerian cuisine.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart from others is my consistency and determination to succeed. I embrace new challenges without fear and am always willing to explore new ventures.

I take pride in my achievements and personal growth. Despite having no prior experience, I pursued my MBA while simultaneously building a restaurant from scratch.

I am determined to make Nigeria Breeze a lasting presence in the culinary world. My vision extends beyond a single location—I aim to franchise it to various local and interstate destinations.

Through my journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons. I now see challenges as opportunities for growth, essential ingredients in the formula for success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’ll kick off our day with a visit to Coronado Beach, followed by a leisurely stroll through downtown San Diego. Later on, we can indulge in a delicious meal at Nigeria Breeze Restaurant before catching a movie at the outdoor theater in Coronado.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I express my gratitude to the Almighty for His unwavering faithfulness and continuous grace in my life. I extend my appreciation to Jimmi Kendrick, the father of my children, for being the first to endorse this idea. I also want to acknowledge my mother, Olubunmi Onisemo, whose recipes form the heart of Nigeria Breeze’s authentic and delectable menu. Finally, to my beloved children, Star and Israel Kendrick, your love means the world to me.

Website: www.Nigeriabreezerestaurants.com

Instagram: NigeriaBreeze

Facebook: Nigeria Breeze

Image Credits
My amazing customers in the pictures gave me the right to take their pictures Also the food pics was taken by the owner