Moyo Ogunmiloro – Founder, Meliza’s

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Taking rejection as a challenge to be overcome, Moyo Ogunmiloro is determined to change attitudes toward food.

What’s your story?

Born into chaos, raised in struggle but anchored by grace, I’ve walked a path shaped by adversity, silence, and the quiet strength of survival. As an immigrant, first-generation graduate, I’ve faced rejection, discrimination, and countless “no’s”, yet, still I rise. Today, a wife, mother, digital leader, women’s advocate and food innovator building tech solutions by day and Meliza’s by heart. Our hero product, the UK’s first plantain pasta, is made with heritage, love, innovation, and sustainability in mind. My journey proves that beauty can rise from brokenness, and legacy can grow from the very roots the world tried to overlook

What excites you most about your industry?

The UK food industry is undergoing a radical transformation driven by consumers who want more than just convenience. Today’s eaters are:

– Actively seeking health-conscious, plant-based alternatives

– Craving authentic, culturally inspired foods

– Choosing brands with strong sustainability values

– Looking for innovation that reflects real people and stories

There’s a growing hunger for food that’s not just functional, but meaningful, food that tells a story, nurtures wellbeing, and honours the planet. That shift is opening the door for bold, culturally-rooted brands like Meliza’s to rise.

What drives you in your career to push beyond what other people consider normal?

The engine beneath everything is I’m not building just for success, I’m building for restoration.

I push beyond what others consider “normal” because normal never saw me, never made space for my story, accent, heritage, or dreams. Rather than shrink to fit in, I choose to rebuild.

My calling redefines possibilities for women like me, immigrant women, mothers, leaders, who’ve been overlooked, underestimated.

My commitment to creating what didn’t exist when I needed it- mentorship, voice, legacy, visibility.

My deep-rooted belief that God didn’t bring me through chaos to settle for comfort, but to show what grace-fuelled excellence looks like.

What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?

Vision-Led-Thinking: Envisioning a future others can’t imagine. From tech to food innovation, I operate with clarity of purpose and boldness to pursue, even when the path’s unclear

Problem-Solving with Heart: From creating Meliza’s, a cultural visibility solution in the UK food space, to navigating manufacturer rejections, I’ve learnt to build around barriers, turning “no” into new-ways

Strategic Execution: Ideas without action=NOTHING, proving our concept at the 2025-TALES-London event where we sold out

Resilience & Adaptability: Discrimination/rejection/burnout: faced them, yet, I stand firm. My ability to pivot, recover, and keep going isn’t just a skill, it’s muscles I’ve strengthened with every chapter.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Don’t ever shrink your light to survive the dark. You were born to brighten the room”

This was spoken to me at my first speaking event here in the UK.

Who inspires you?

1. My husband, my best friend and father to our three gorgeous children. He gives me hope, strength, encourages me to thrive, to keep going and NEVER settle for less. He holds the fort down especially when I wear my visionary, thinking and creative hat, dreaming away, he balances me.

2. My three children. They push me, cheer me on, celebrate me and remind me every day how proud they are of me. They are my little helpers, tasters and a group of personal board of advisors. My only son inspired the UK’s first Plantain pasta (story for another day).

What have you learnt recently that blew you away?

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted.

I’ve learned that my story- the polished and painful parts is my SUPERPOWER seeing how sharing it unlocks healing, connection, and impact.

My vision is valid, even when the world says “no.” Rejection isn’t the end, it’s a redirection to something deeper, stronger.

Community matters! I’m building with people who challenge, honour, and uplift me.

Rest is not weakness! it’s wisdom. My body, mind, and spirit deserve care.

I’m ready for leadership, visibility, and abundance. Not because I know it all, but because I trust God’s timing over mine and my pace is divine.

If you had your time again, what would you do differently?

First- I would have married my husband earlier and not wasted time dating/courting him. Having the right partner makes all the difference indeed!

Second- I would’ve started my business sooner, before fear had a chance to plant its doubts in me. I wouldn’t have walked away from my first food venture; I’d have given it the fight it truly deserved.

Lastly, I would’ve built my community earlier. A circle of kind, powerful, purpose-driven people who could challenge me, stretch me, and remind me who I am when I forget.

Most of all, I wouldn’t have walked alone for so long.

How do you unwind?

Time with my family, reading, cooking, travelling, spending time with God in paise and worship.

What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your career?

I’ve witnessed the power of vision and alignment. First, I was offered my dream role as Head of Department after an informal chat with a CEO, without even applying.

Then, at a pivotal moment in my business, an investor offered more than I needed in return for a 20% stake, before I had a product/revenue. Just a strong idea, strategy, and clear vision. I declined the offer, but it gave me the confidence I needed to know I was building something truly valuable. These moments reminded me that belief, clarity, and preparation can open doors beyond your wildest imagination.

Everyone in business should read this book:

My top 5 books:
1. “Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits” by Emmanuel Acho
2. “She Means Business” by Carrie Green
3. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle
4. “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama
5. “Slay In Your Lane” by Yomi Adegoke & Elizabeth Uviebinené (My little Black Girl’s Bible).

Shameless plug for your business or career:

I detest social media but am never ashamed of sharing/talking about my passion:

If you haven’t tried the UK’s first plantain pasta, what are you waiting for?

At Meliza’s, we’re not just serving good food, we’re serving legacy, flavour, and innovation on a fork. Rooted in African heritage, made with love and sustainability in mind, our products are changing how the world sees African food.

Shop. Taste. Join the Movement.

How can people connect with you?

Our website is www.melizas.com

I am reachable at…

Email: info@melizas.com

Social Media Links?

My personal Social media links:

Instagram: @moyo_d_plantainpasta_lady https://www.instagram.com/moyo_d_plantainpasta_lady?igsh=dmxib3Jla2FodTV4&utm_source=qr

and @risewithmoyo https://www.instagram.com/risewithmoyo?igsh=bG9xbnByMzI3NTI4

LinkedIn: Moyo O https://www.linkedin.com/in/moyo-o-768430137/

TikTok: @moyoogunmiloro https://www.tiktok.com/@moyoogunmiloro?_t=ZN-8z4jG1zOYCs&_r=1

Meliza’s Socila media links: