Today we’d like to introduce you to Kesiena Onyon.
Hi Kesiena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Pure Burst started in 2023 from the comfort of my home in Houston, Texas. What began as a passion for making homemade Zobo drink, a refreshing hibiscus-based Nigerian beverage quickly grew into something much bigger.
At first, I simply shared my drinks with friends, family, and neighbors. The feedback was amazing. People loved the taste and kept encouraging me to do more with it. That inspired me to start bottling the drinks and supplying them to African stores around Houston.
As demand grew, customers began inviting me to cater for parties and events. They wanted more than just drinks — they wanted an experience. That pushed me to expand into mocktails, and I went on to study mixology so I could professionally create unique drink combinations and event experiences.
From there, Pure Burst continued to evolve. I introduced our now best-selling Ginger Pineapple drink alongside the original Zobo. I also transformed both drinks into herbal tea bags by dehydrating the ingredients and packaging them into convenient tea blends. Today, those products are stocked in stores and have even reached customers as far as Dallas and beyond.
As customers continued asking for more services, I expanded the brand into Nigerian catering and event food services. We now offer Nigerian-style shawarma, freshly prepared either from home delivery or live at parties and events. Then came small chops, spring rolls, samosas, puff puff, sausage rolls, meat pies, and protein combos including chicken wings and drumsticks.
Pure Burst didn’t stop there. We also introduced custom cakes, baked from scratch in a variety of flavors including vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot, strawberry, and more. From cupcakes to wedding cakes, we create cakes tailored to every occasion.
Today, Pure Burst is more than just a food business. It is a brand dedicated to bringing authentic Nigerian flavors and vibes to people across Houston and beyond. Whether it’s drinks, mocktails, catering, small chops, or cakes, our goal is to create memorable experiences that connect people to culture, celebration, and great taste.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, there have been real struggles along the journey. Honestly, I do not think there is any business without challenges, especially when you are starting small and trying to grow.
At the beginning, things were manageable because production was small. But as the business started growing and customers began demanding more, new challenges came up. One of the biggest struggles was sourcing ingredients, especially the Zobo leaves, which are hibiscus leaves imported from Nigeria. It became difficult and expensive to get the exact quality I needed, so I had to arrange shipments from back home in Nigeria to Houston.
The cost of importing ingredients was high, and that affected production costs. Sometimes, after production, I needed to adjust prices, but customers would feel the products were becoming too expensive. As a small business owner, I had to learn how to balance quality, pricing, and customer expectations while still keeping the business running.
There were also challenges with finding the right ingredients locally. Since we are outside Nigeria, it is not always easy to find authentic ingredients that give the same taste and quality people expect. I had to spend time testing different options and improving recipes until I got the right balance.
Equipment was another struggle in the beginning. I did not have access to all the tools and equipment I needed, so I had to grow gradually and work with what I had while reinvesting back into the business.
There were difficult moments too, sometimes producing items that did not completely sell, or handling the pressure of managing increasing customer demands. But through it all, I stayed consistent, kept learning, and kept pushing forward.
Looking back now, I am grateful for how far God has brought me and how much the business has grown. Every challenge became part of the learning process that helped shape Pure Burst into what it is today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pure Burst LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I own a small food and beverage business based in Houston, Texas called Pure Burst. Our brand is all about bringing authentic Nigerian vibes, flavors, and experiences to every event and celebration.
We specialize in a variety of services including mocktails, cocktails, Nigerian-style shawarma, small chops, custom cakes, and homemade local drinks such as Zobo (hibiscus drink) and Ginger Pineapple drink. These drinks are some of our signature and best-selling products because of their unique taste and authentic flavor.
At Pure Burst, we offer both delivery and live event services. We can prepare food fresh on the spot at parties, weddings, birthdays, and other events, or provide pre-made catering packages depending on what the client wants. We also create custom cakes baked from scratch, including cupcakes and cakes for special occasions.
One thing people should know about my business is that Pure Burst is more than just food and drinks, it is about creating an experience. We bring the feeling, taste, and energy of Nigeria directly to your party, making people feel at home through food, drinks, and hospitality.
When it comes to specialization, I would say our strongest areas are our mocktails, cocktails, shawarma, and small chops. These are the services customers request the most and what many people know us for. However, I take pride in every part of the business because every product is made with care and attention to detail.
What sets Pure Burst apart is intentionality. I am very intentional about quality, taste, presentation, and customer experience. I always want guests at an event to enjoy the food and drinks so much that they keep asking for more. Whether it is the mocktails, shawarma, cakes, or small chops, I put my best into every single order.
I believe the Nigerian flavor and authenticity we bring is what truly makes us stand out. From the seasoning to the preparation, to the way we present our services at events, we make sure everything feels special and memorable.
Another thing I want people to know about Pure Burst is the level of service we provide. My team and I are committed to professionalism and excellence. From setup to serving guests, we make sure every detail is handled properly and every event is delivered with care. We always aim to give our clients a top-notch experience and leave a lasting impression.
At Pure Burst, we are passionate about what we do, and our goal is simple, to give people amazing food, amazing drinks, and an unforgettable Nigerian-inspired experience.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating joy and meaningful experiences for people.
One of the reasons I started Pure Burst was not just to sell finger foods and drinks, but to bring people together and create memorable moments. Whether it is a birthday, wedding, family gathering, or community event, I enjoy knowing that something I have created contributes to making that occasion special.
The most rewarding part for me is seeing the smiles on my customers’ faces when they taste the food, enjoy the drinks, or experience the atmosphere we have helped create. Seeing people happy, connected, and satisfied gives me a real sense of purpose and achievement.
It also matters to me that I deliver quality and integrity in everything I do. I want people to trust that when they choose Pure Burst, they will receive excellent products, professional service, and an authentic experience. That commitment to quality is important because it reflects who I am and the values I want my business to represent.
Ultimately, what matters most to me is making a positive impact on people through excellent service, authentic experiences, and creating moments that they will remember long after the event is over.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pureburstdrinks?utm_source=qr&igsh=emk4eG9vc3ZlcDU0
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pureburstdrinks?_r=1&_t=ZP-96w8sXCuK5u
