Cooking with Love, Leading with Resilience: The Inspiring Story of Mkay’s Treats and Attires in Bauchi

Maryam Muhammad Kabir, a proud indigene of Bauchi State from Azare Local Government, is a shining example of passion meeting purpose. With a degree in Crop Production from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, she has woven her academic foundation into a thriving entrepreneurial venture. Maryam’s journey as the founder of Mkay’s Treats and Attires is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her story is one of grit, growth, and an unrelenting love for creating food that brings people together.

Maryam’s affinity for the kitchen began at the tender age of eight, under the watchful eye of her mother, who had no patience for idleness. In a bustling household of nine, and often more when extended family joined, Maryam learned to navigate the chaos of meal preparation. From pounding spices to stirring pots large enough to feed a crowd, she developed a natural ease in the kitchen. What started as a chore transformed into a passion, as cooking became a creative outlet—a manipulatively fun craft where she could experiment and excel. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and Maryam’s countless hours in the kitchen sharpened her skills, laying the groundwork for what would become her life’s work.

The spark for Mkay’s Treats ignited with a simple but pivotal moment. While scrolling through a WhatsApp group chat, Maryam overheard friends who had returned from studying abroad lamenting their craving for the nostalgic, clean taste of Awara, a beloved local delicacy. Living in Bauchi, she often observed a street vendor near her home skillfully preparing Awara dough. Inspired, Maryam saw an opportunity. With just N200 in her purse, she purchased Awara worth N100, used ingredients from her mother’s kitchen to whip up a complementary sauce, and packaged it in a takeaway container she found at home. Adding some pepper for N50, she sold the pack for N250, pocketing a modest N50 profit. That small transaction was the humble beginning of Mkay’s Treats. Her friends raved about the dish, and soon, word spread to family, friends, and beyond. With the support of her community, her venture blossomed, a success she attributes to the blessings of Allah and the encouragement of those around her.

Mkay’s Treats has grown exponentially, molded by Maryam’s hard work, resilience, patience, and, above all, consistency. From her early days cooking solo in her mother’s kitchen, she now oversees a team of over 15 employees in a dedicated kitchen space. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of her business. Maryam ensures that every dish adheres to time-tested recipes that prioritize quality and taste. Her kitchen has developed its own language—terms like “yankan Awara” signal precise crescent slices of onions, peppers, sausages, and carrots, ensuring uniformity in flavor and presentation. This meticulous attention to detail has kept customers returning, drawn to the familiar yet exceptional taste of her meals.

Maryam’s education at ATBU played a significant role in shaping her entrepreneurial journey. Her favorite course, food processing, taught by Dr. Tilde, was a revelation. It bridged her love for cooking with the practical science of transforming raw ingredients into marketable products. The course opened her eyes to the potential of food as a business, showing her how to monetize her skills. Beyond food processing, courses in business management, entrepreneurship, and leadership development equipped her with the tools to navigate the complexities of running a business. Maryam firmly believes that knowledge is power, and the foundation she built during her undergraduate years continues to guide her. She views any future learning as an opportunity to add to this robust foundation.

Her mother remains her greatest inspiration. Without formal training from a catering school, Maryam credits her culinary expertise to the lessons learned at her mother’s side. Her mother’s encouragement opened her eyes to the beauty of her craft, a gift she believes was bestowed upon her by Allah. The initial demand for her food—sparked by friends seeking familiar flavors—combined with her mother’s unwavering support, gave Maryam the confidence to pursue her venture. Today, her business not only feeds countless customers but also provides livelihoods for her employees, a legacy she cherishes deeply.

Running a food business is not without its challenges. Early on, Maryam struggled with delivery logistics and securing a consistent supply of ingredients. To address these hurdles, she launched Mkay’s Logistics, a dedicated service to ensure timely and efficient delivery of her products. She also diversified her sources for ingredients, making her supply chain more reliable. These solutions have streamlined operations and strengthened her business’s foundation. Maryam has learned that competition arises when a product is exceptional, and she embraces this as a sign of her brand’s worth.

Looking ahead, Maryam envisions Mkay’s Treats as a household name, with a state-of-the-art kitchen that serves as the first choice for customers within and beyond Bauchi State. Her strategy is simple yet powerful: maintain the quality and taste that define her brand while fostering a collaborative spirit with her team. To build a loyal customer base, she engages her audience through creative initiatives like promos, food reviews, and personal tutoring sessions. Accessibility is key—customers can reach her through phone calls, text messages, face-to-face interactions, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok, creating a sense of community and trust.

Beyond food, Maryam’s business, officially named Mkay’s Treats and Attires, has expanded into selling readymade clothes. This venture has broadened her customer base, as clients drawn to her quality clothing discover her culinary offerings. The synergy between the two arms of her business has strengthened customer loyalty, as they trust her to deliver excellence in both food and fashion. However, Mkay’s Treats remains the cornerstone of her enterprise, the heart of her entrepreneurial journey.

Awara holds a special place in Maryam’s heart. The first pack she made, sold for a modest profit, symbolizes the love and acceptance her business has received. It was a dish that not only launched her venture but also became a signature offering, expanding her customer base and cementing her reputation. Another defining moment came when Mkay’s Treats was chosen to cater for the Flagg Off Ceremony of the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, an event attended by former Nigerian President Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other prominent leaders. The task was daunting—requiring travel to a remote location, adherence to strict protocols, and flawless food quality. With her team leaving Bauchi by 3 a.m. to prepare meals by 2 a.m. and serve by 7 a.m., the effort was grueling. Yet, their success was a powerful lesson in resilience, proving that dedication could overcome even the toughest challenges.

In 2024, Mkay’s Treats took on another milestone by catering for the Moniepoint BRM conference across all NorthEast states. This opportunity expanded her business’s scope and introduced her brand to a wider audience, further solidifying her reputation for excellence. These high-profile events have not only elevated Mkay’s Treats but also deepened Maryam’s understanding of the power of perseverance and teamwork.

Maryam’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is rooted in her own experience: cooking is an art that demands passion and precision, much like solving a mathematical problem. It requires showing up consistently, giving your best, and embracing hard work. For Maryam, success is not just about profit but about creating something meaningful—a business that feeds people, employs them, and brings joy to their lives.

With her aprons tied and her passion burning brighter than ever, Maryam continues to lead Mkay’s Treats and Attires with a vision that extends far beyond the kitchen. Her story is one of turning a childhood chore into a thriving enterprise, proving that with faith, determination, and a sprinkle of creativity, anything is possible. As she prepares to serve her next dish, Maryam invites the world to get their tastebuds ready—her journey is far from over, and the best is yet to come.