My name is Morayo Adebiyi-Uchendu. I created a plant-based snack mix that I call ChiChi Mix, which comes from the word chinchin, a popular Nigerian snack. This snack is typically eaten at celebratory cultural events, like weddings. This fact inspired me to create fun and exciting dessert-like flavors, such as apple pie, caramel drizzle cheesecake, and creme brulee.   ChiChi Mix is more than just a snack; it's a lifestyle; it's recognizing the need for representing my core cultural identity while offering alternatives for living a healthier life and while having fun.

When I first started selling my products, it came from the desperation for finding ways to improve health. When I was doing my own personal reflection, I resonated with Isiah 53:5, "By His Stripes, we are healed," which is a verse that references how Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world so that we can be restored back to the Father. I wear black and white pinstripes on my apron and pants to signify this verse as I interact with and serve my community. Additionally, my company prepares and donates nutritional food packs to Magnificat House, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, which caters to Houston's homeless community. 

As an extension of ChiChi Mix, my sons started a not-for-profit organization called Ezra's and EJ's Nursery, an organization striving to make a social and environmental impact utilizing planting fruit trees. Our current inventory includes avocado and lemon trees. The mission is to give back in helping to beautify our community and create access to quality and nutritional food in communities of color plagued by food scarcity.  

Biography 

Morayo Uchendu is married to Jessie Uchendu and is the mother to two boys under two, Ezra and Elias-James Uchendu. She is also a biomedical scientist with expertise in blood hematology. She started her company last year, 2020, during the middle of the global pandemic. Her frustrations for not seeing the snacks she grew up eating in the grocery stores, and the unhealthy and unnecessary ingredients in most of the snacks foods available in the market inspired her to launch her company. Due to having two children, who are eighteen months apart, she needed healthy foods to boost her energy level, strengthen her immunity, and support her overall health. As a biomedical scientist, she recognizes the importance of superfoods, such as mixed nuts, full of antioxidants, potassium, vitamins, and other nutrients. She created ChiChi Mix, a nut-based snack mix that contains almonds, pecans, and walnuts. All of her products are gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly. 

Keto is a diet centered on consuming high trans fat, which is good fat and is found in mixed nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts, and low carbohydrates, which refers to sugars. Our products have less than 4 grams of added sugars, and we have options that contain no sugar. 

Summary about our products 

• ChiChi Mix was inspired by a popular Nigerian snack called chinchin. 

• Our snack mixes contain baked-almond bites (resembles the chinchin), pecans, and walnuts.

• Our products are made with non-GMO ingredients and no sodium. There are no sugar-added options available.

• Our popular fun dessert-flavor mixes include apple pie, caramel-drizzle cheesecake, and creme brulee. 

How to interact with Morayo.

Instagram @thatchichimix

Facebook @chichimixtrailmix

Website:www.chichimix.com

Email:morayo.adebiyi@mjglobalinnovations.com

LinkedIn :mjglobalinnovations