New Sewickley business features Nigerian sun-dried spices

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

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

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

“It feels really great because I just started a business, and in two years I’m able to scale into a storefront,” she said in a phone interview Aug 7. “There is a lot that I can achieve and there are potentials that I can harness. 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 farmers markets, vendor shows and community events in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia showcasing her smoked black, spicy Nigerian suya and hot red pepper mixes while educating customers on the benefits of naturally farm-grown plants and herbs.

That hard work has resulted in product expansion to 25 spices, including new top sellers ground garlic and red onion powder.

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

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

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

Spicy journey

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

She also ran a fitness blog and created 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 medicine and hand sanitizers than hair products.

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

That access 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 importing and exporting 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’ve had access to farmland and other farmers as well,” Aigbogun said. “I learned very early that farming for us was community-based. … Starting up 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 that empowerment is a big thing now. I started to use that to empower the female farmers as well — give them opportunities to improve their skills. Everything just merged nicely.”

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

“People are genuinely interested in what’s out there in better lifestyle, better living and being that resource and center we can connect is a fulfillment for me,” she said. “I feel so empowered and encouraged.”

Settling 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 vibe,” she said. “It was very central and easy for me to access all the businesses around (the borough). I have a retail background, but I realized that my retail background was different from America.”

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

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

The two shared space at the corner of Beaver and Broad streets when Parr had her 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 the marketing and branding foundation of KizzleFoods.

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

Parr commended Augbogun on her success and continues to enjoy their friendly conversations about business.

“It’s pretty incredible for her being part of the community and still living there (and) was able to open her own store in the business district,” Parr said. “Pretty big accomplishment in a short amount of time.”

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

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