When Odutope Macauley-Okoro moved to Halifax from Nigeria, she sought a comforting taste of home. When she couldn’t find those nostalgic flavors, she decided to start her own food business with the help of the Specialized Program in Cooking Entrepreneurship (SPICE) through the Centre for Women in Business.
Macauley-Okoro immigrated from Nigeria to Halifax in 2018. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she began making her favorite childhood snack, chinchin—a fried, cookie-like snack—and sharing it with friends.
“When I couldn’t find it in stores, I realized I had all the ingredients I needed right at home. So, I started making it for myself and bringing it to people when I visited,” says Macauley-Okoro.
“You could see that people really missed this snack, so I thought, if this is the reaction people are having to my chinchin, then let me continue to satisfy this need for my community.”
And so, Topsie Crunchie Snacks was born. Macauley-Okoro continued making chinchin with her personal touch—using an original ‘grandma’ recipe with nutmeg. Soon, she expanded her flavors to include vanilla and coconut.
“I didn’t want to limit chinchin to only my African community, so I gave it a little bit of a twist and started making other flavors to include other communities,” she explains.
When Macauley-Okoro was introduced to the SPICE program through another African Nova Scotian business owner, she was eager to take the opportunity to learn and expand her business.
“It is very hard, especially for immigrants coming into a new community and trying to settle in, to start a business. So, the SPICE program gives us that opportunity and confidence,” says Macauley-Okoro.
The SPICE program, offered through the Centre for Women in Business with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, is Atlantic Canada’s only food business accelerator specifically supporting underserved women. It helps food entrepreneurs grow from operating at their kitchen tables to becoming fully compliant food business owners.
“The program added more structure to my business and connected me to amazing people from different sections of the industry,” says Macauley-Okoro. “I really appreciate the financial support, professional support, and moral support that I received from the SPICE program.”
The program involves eight weeks of active learning and ongoing support for up to a year in a hybrid format. Topics covered include market strategy, operational requirements, food safety regulations, developing hiring plans, and financial projections. Industry experts also connect participants with essential resources for growing their businesses.
“The SPICE program is the one-stop place for knowledge, resources, support, and connection,” says Natalie Frederick-Wilson, SPICE program lead.
SPICE serves as a bridge for under-represented women in the food industry, helping them navigate complex regulatory rules and systems, says Frederick-Wilson.
“The SPICE program goes beyond traditional business services; it digs deep into the real core needs of business owners,” she explains.
Frederick-Wilson highlights the critical support the program has received since its pilot, which has contributed to its success.
“Each of the three cohorts is filled with participants with inspiring success stories that have motivated others to join and contribute,” she notes.
While the program has gained momentum, securing financial sponsorship—especially from private sector partners—is crucial to ensuring its long-term sustainability.
“SPICE is more than just a training program—it’s a full-service support system that helps women build fully compliant food businesses,” says Frederick-Wilson. “This level of support is resource-intensive, but it makes the difference between an idea and a thriving business.”
She encourages businesses and individuals to invest in SPICE, asking, “How can your organization help ensure these women have the mentorship, training, and financial backing they need to succeed?”
Supporting Women in Business: Cinthia Marques’ Journey
For Cinthia Marques, the SPICE program provided the confidence and support needed to expand her business. Originally from Brazil, Marques moved to Halifax in 2019 and started Made with Love by Cinthia, a bakery serving traditional Brazilian desserts and sweet treats.
“I really love to cook, especially to celebrate events like birthday parties,” says Marques. “I’m always preparing something for my husband, my kids, even my birthday, and inviting friends to celebrate. Some friends really loved my cakes and encouraged me to start selling them.”
The SPICE program played a key role in helping Marques grow her business.
“They are always there for you, always focusing on your goals, providing one-on-one support, and fostering a network of connections that opens up new opportunities for every business,” says Marques.
Marques also appreciates how SPICE provides management tools that empower its participants.
“That knowledge generates creative and work freedom. After the classes and personalized consultations, my understanding of my business and how to amplify it became clearer and more concrete,” she says.
Marques intends to continue growing her business, ensuring that creativity and authenticity shine through all her products.
