A Nigerian native who has brought a taste of her country’s culture to Western Pennsylvania and beyond recently opened her first store in Sewickley.

The ribbon was cut at KizzleFoods along Beaver Street, home to a variety of organic sun-dried and hand-ground spices from West Africa.

It is also where people can find resident and entrepreneur Ekhoaye Aigbogu, or as her friends call her, Eky Divine.

“It feels great because I just started a business and in two years I’m able to go to a storefront,” she said in an Aug. 7 phone interview. “There is a lot that I can achieve and there are potentials that I can use. That definitely feels good.”

Aigbogun moved to Sewickley in 2021 and launched her business with just three spice offerings in May 2022.

She would travel to various farmer’s markets, vendor shows and community events in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia showcasing her smoky black, Nigerian spicy and hot red pepper blends while educating customers on the benefits of the plant. and herbs cultivated in natural farms.

This hard work has resulted in product expansion to 25 spices, including the best sellers of ground garlic and red onion powder.

“Our spices have no salt, no fillers, no artificial ingredients, no artificial processing,” said Aigbogun. “All our spices have all their natural properties and natural health benefits preserved in them.”

She said many spices found in supermarkets are packed with salt and compounds and mixed by machines.

“At the end of the day, are you really taking the herbs or are you taking a mixture of different things?” Aigbogun said.

Spicy trip

Aigbogun, 36, worked in sales and marketing for consumer goods company Unilever for several years after graduating from the University of Lagos with a degree in business administration.

She also runs a fitness blog and launched a hair accessories business in 2016.

However, like many small businesses, things took a turn as a result of the Covid pandemic.

She said more people were focused on medicines and hand sanitizers than hair products.

“Now that the world has changed, what can I add to the new change and I looked at the access I had,” Aigbogun said.

This approach included relatives on farms and help from parents. Her mother, Julie, was an educator and her father, Uwa, had experience running a consumer goods business that imported and exported cocoa, rubber and other products.

Aigbogun credits her energy and entrepreneurial spirit to her parents and growing up in Lagos.

“From generation to generation we have had access to farmland and other farmers as well,” Aigbogun said. “I learned very early that agriculture for us was community-based. … Starting the (spice) business was very easy. We already know who grows what.

“We can grow and be part of this big global world. I know empowerment is a big thing right now. I started using it to empower female farmers too – giving them opportunities to improve their skills. Everything just came together beautifully.”

Aigbogun said it brings him joy to know that KizzleFoods benefits people back home while sharing their culture with those in the United States.

“People are really interested in what’s out there in a better lifestyle, a better life, and being the resource and the hub that we can connect to is fulfilling for me,” she said. “I feel so empowered and encouraged.”

Placement in Sewickley

Aigbogun moved to Sewickley three years ago after a stint in New York City.

“I’m very big on family and Sewickley has that family atmosphere,” she said. “It was very central and easy for me to get to all the businesses around (the county). I have a retail background, but I realized that my retail story was different from America.”

She found support from the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce and several members and former members, including Erica Parr.

Parr owns Closet Rehab, a jewelry and accessories business in Lawrenceville, and coordinates the closet’s monthly summer Night Marts.

The two shared space at the corner of Beaver and Broad streets when Parr had her own business in the borough.

Aigbogun also worked part-time in the early years for former chamber president and jewelry designer Diana Kauffman.

Parr, Kauffman and several others were instrumental in establishing KizzleFoods’ marketing and branding.

“It has given me the equity and drive that I can’t even put a price on,” Aigbogun said of the chamber’s support.

Parr congratulated Augbog on her success and continues to enjoy their friendly conversations about business.

“It’s pretty incredible that she’s part of the community and still lives there (and) was able to open her own store in the business district,” Parr said. “Quite an achievement in a short time.”

Future plans include partnering with other Sewickley-area stores for cooking classes.

KizzleFoods is located at 559 Beaver Street next to Three Dog Bakery. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More information is available at kizzlefoods.com.