“The strong ambitions of a thirsty next generation”

Source : https://www.hrimag.com/Anja-Okuka-Cafe-Castelo-Les-ambitions-corsees-d-une-releve-assoiffee

Last Thursday, on the stage of the Capitole in Quebec City, Anja Okuka is overjoyed. Named Young Business Personality in the category " Retail trade ", the director of business development at Café Castelo fully enjoys the ceremony, alongside the seven other finalists of this 27th Gala (among them Patrice Plante, aka " Mr. Cocktail ", or even nutritionist Hubert Cormier). Delighted to be there, the young woman almost forgets the " competition "of the evening." And when she learns that the Quebec City Junior Chamber of Commerce is awarding her the title of Young Business Personality 2018 and that she also won the " National Bank's Favorite Anja Okuka quickly went from shock and astonishment to incredible happiness. A rollercoaster of emotions ! " she summarizes.

While the jury seemed to be moved by her personal journey and that of her family, they were also impressed by the ambitions, human qualities, and precocious wisdom of this dynamic and responsible 26-year-old. barely years old. "I'm naturally very inclined towards others," she confides. "It's not just the company that matters, it's also all the people behind it." »

Based in Quebec City since 1996 and founded by the laureate's parents, Predrag and Nikolina Okuka, the company Café Castelo is a roasting company specializing in high-quality coffees. For the past few years, particularly to conquer the hotel industry and gain a foothold in offices, it has entered the capsule market. Aluminum-free capsules, made of 100% plastic "100% recyclable, without flavor enhancers, and at some of the most competitive prices," the director proudly states. And in a capsule industry dominated by multinationals, why not invest in a Quebec company? ? "This well-rehearsed and effective pitch convinced several hotels in the National Capital Region, from the Château Frontenac At Best Western.

" I want to be that next generation »

But Anja Okuka and her team obviously don't intend to stop there. In addition to two eponymous establishments (on Maguire and Cartier), the products Café Castelo They are currently distributed in about fifteen partner stores and in an ever-growing list of points of sale. This model allows us to expand far and wide, explains the entrepreneur. Last year, for example, we set up shop in Rimouski. And Montreal ? " "We would obviously like to establish ourselves there through future projects," Anja admits. "But we want to find the right partners, to be sure that they share our passion for coffee." »

Honored by her peers, the young woman believes that the awards received last Thursday, in addition to offering her significant visibility and circulating her name, will have helped to put a face to the company, to emphasize the essential human aspect that business relationships must take nowadays.

This evening also had the positive effect of demonstrating the involvement and motivation of Quebec's next generation, the young woman continued. For me, that makes 10 "I've been working in the company for years," she explains. "I've held several positions, from barista to director of development. My parents quickly involved me in decision-making, so that I would really understand what a company is, what it represents." "And Anja Okuka now accepts this role of natural successor with serenity and without the slightest pressure." In my mind, all of this became concrete about a year ago. : I'm going to start again Café Castelo. I want to take it over. I want to be that successor. »