Meet Ola Akintola | Owner & Executive Chef, O’s Kitchen Catering

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

Hi Ola, how do you think about risk?
Honestly, risk taking is how I ended up as a business owner in the first place. I think risks are essential regardless of your profession. You have to take a risk when you’re doing something that’s outside of the box. You have to bet on yourself, and you have to really just go for it. Now, it really sounds simple and sometimes risk-taking sounds very glamorous but it’s far from that. I think sometimes we settle and play safe because it’s easy and we are comfortable. Because I mean who doesn’t like being comfortable? The real reward I feel like comes on the other side of the risk, it’s on the other side of a “yes” or sometimes on the other side of saying no to self-doubt and complacency. Risks have played a significant role in both my life and career because I approach everything without the fear of failure… because I have taken the risks. Now while some ended in losses, but most ended in wins and regards. I learned something new about myself and my capabilities. I also think risk taking can be contagious, when others see you betting on yourself and taking risks, it shows that it can very much be done. My business wouldn’t be alive today if I didn’t take a risk.

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?
O’s Kitchen Catering is a catering business located here in DFW, TX. We specalize in small to large scale events from intimate dinners to large weddings and conferences. We like to think our attention to detail and customer service sets us apart! Our menu also features a wide range of cuisines from Nigerian to Southern comfort food. I started cooking when I was little and carried my passions to college as I studied Psychology and graduated in 2015. While on campus I volunteered in several organizations and always found myself cooking and/or planning campus wide events. I relocated to Dallas in 2016 and started O’s Kitchen as a meal prep company. We shortly outgrew meal preps and started servicing larger events and bookings. It by no means was easy because I had no clue what I was doing. I researched everything on Google and shadowed some chefs on the scene in Dallas. I had to make a lot of sacrifices to start the business as I was determined to make it successful. My family and friends also played a huge role because they wanted to see me win. I prayed consistently and relied on my faith to overcome any challenges I incurred. In the 3 years as a business owner with 2 of those being full time, I’ve learned that there is power in your story and power in showing up every day as yourself. Do those two things and success will always follow. I would want the world to know about my story is that I never saw myself being in the position I am today. I never once imagined myself owning my own company, in fact I wanted to be a clinical psychologist at a point. But I genuinely enjoy what I do and I enjoy sharing my story through food and meeting different people every single day. I want people to look at me and my business and know that is possible to figure it out as you go and to fully step into your purpose unapologetically.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since COVID-19 is a thing we’ll probably order take out from Sixty Vines or Eataly

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family, my friends, and my line sisters!

Website: https://www.oskitchencatering.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefola_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsKnSJKFZTWJGKxJbQ24QtA

Image Credits
@cliffh.photo