In this episode host Rea Hailley continues her series called "five questions and one wild story fempreneurs to watch for". Rea chats with Daniella Jasper-Okumagba, the founder of The Bridge, a catering concierge service dedicated to making ethnic food everyday food. Daniella is on a mission to save the corporate world from "treacherous charcuterie boards" by connecting mainstream events with authentic multicultural caterers. She opens up about the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship, sharing her personal "24-hour rule" for processing setbacks and why she believes that every "No" is just one step closer to a "Yes." Tune in to hear how she turned a student athlete mindset into business success, and stay for the "wild story" about a breakfast catering nightmare that became the defining moment for her company's quality standards.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast where we showcase fascinating people who are Leaders, Innovators, and have Big Ideas!

Guest: 

Daniella Jasper-Okumagba is the founder of The BRDGE, a catering concierge service dedicated to a singular, bold mission: making authentic ethnic food as accessible as ordering a pizza.

Recognizing that talented chefs often struggle to reach the mainstream market, Daniella built The BRDGE to connect food lovers with incredible home-style meals while supporting local businesses. She specializes in solving the catering challenge for corporate gatherings, weddings, and conferences, helping organizers source high-quality, diverse menus that satisfy multicultural teams and complex dietary restrictions alike.

By delivering convenience without compromising on authenticity, Daniella is working to make international food "everyday food"—building bridges one meal at a time.

Show Links:

Show Quotes:

"I found that there was a lack of ethnic food representation when it comes to events in schools and industrial areas... and that we're saved from the treacherous charcuterie boards and dry sandwiches at every conference that we attend."

"I have a 24 hour rule for myself. Whenever I face a rough day in general as an entrepreneur, I take that day. I feel all the feelings, I get sad, do whatever I need to do, but the next day I just jump back right back into it."

"There can't be another you... yes, someone can replicate that, but when it comes to a brand or people's connection to a brand, there's nobody that can replace how you make them feel."

Credits...