I have been a chef for 15 years but started making my sauce and seasoning for 5 years now. My experience doing training with WeLead Caribbean was the greatest because being a dropout from school at the age of 14 made my self esteem low. I never believed in myself with all I can do to put myself out there was hard but because of WeLead Caribbean I gained that courage. They taught me about packaging and marketing, which was great for my products. Thank you to the WeLead Caribbean team.
Rupununi Farms is a locally owned enterprise which is designed to support Rupununi agricultural producers. The outlet was opened in 2017 in the heart of Lethem, Region 9, to facilitate the local producers with a market for their farm-fresh products to meet the needs of the growing community. Our products include meats, honey, wines, seasonal fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, peppersauce and cassava items.
I am very satisfied with the training in Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Management of women I received with WeLead Caribbean. The training was enlightening and engaging with a thoughtful approach and practical examples, which helped me grasp concepts with ease. I have since been implementing the skills I learned, and so far, I can say I have gained an objective perspective on present and future plans of the business. It was worth it to spend the time doing this training.
I am Catina Adridge, a young entrepreneur from Sheet Anchor village, located in region 6, Guyana. As a little girl growing up, my mom ensured my sisters and I had our hair washed every weekend, then it was “greased” with brown vaseline and paraffin oil, and braided for the school week ahead. As I grew older I eventually moved away from using the brown vaseline and started using other products. However, my hair wasn’t thriving as it should. Later on, Covid-19 came along and I was at home and decided to try a vaseline mixture with brown vaseline, paraffin oil and a few more oils and other ingredients. After using it, my hair was softer, shinier, smoother and longer. I received quite a few compliments on the noticeable difference in my hair, and persons were making requests for the product, so I decided to make some extra vaseline and the oils to sell to family and friends. I started off making the vaseline, local oils such as: carrot, avocado pear, and neem. I further expanded to include rosemary and black seed oil and a hair butter. Since my business was born out of a simple childhood tradition, I branded it “Catty’s Hair Products”. My vaseline is labelled Catty’s Triple Action vaseline, since it leaves the hair shinier, softer and smoother.
In my quest to expand my business, and ensure I was making an impact on my customers, I stumbled upon the WeLead Caribbean training course. I immediately applied and was successful in accessing this training, thankfully. During my training I was privileged to learn how to: perfect record keeping, drafting business plans, marketing, registering and pitching my business. I was fortunate enough to be invited by WeLead to attend and sell my products at approximately three massive expositions, where I gained much needed exposure, increased sales and promotion. Additionally, I was provided with well designed labels and containers for my products and travel and subsistence to attend one of the Expositions. I am truly grateful for the knowledge, continuous support and exposure I was able to garner during and after my training with WeLead Caribbean.
Founded in 2021 by Sherese and Del Grant, D&S Favour Enterprise began as a humble venture fueled by a shared love for creating exceptional flavors, one jar of achar at a time.
Central to their success was the unwavering support of their children, Shanique and Demarre Grant.
Shanique was chosen among the many applicants in Berbice to be a part of the the AWE (Academy for Women Entrepreneurs) training program in 2023. AWE has been instrumental in nurturing and developing entrepreneurial skills among its participants. Through a combination of comprehensive workshops, and mentorship opportunities, the program equipped aspiring women entrepreneurs with the essential tools and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive business landscape. Participants learned crucial skills such as business planning, financial management, marketing strategies, and networking techniques, empowering them to turn their innovative ideas into viable ventures. Moreover, the program fostered a supportive community of like-minded individuals, providing a platform for collaboration, encouragement, and shared learning experiences. As a result, graduates of the AWE training program emerged not only with enhanced entrepreneurial skills but also with the confidence and resilience needed to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and thrive in their respective industries.
Equipped with newfound knowledge, D & S Favour recognized the demand for variety and innovation, they expanded their product line to include the zesty delight of Lime Achar.
Today, as they reflect on their journey, the Grants remain steadfast in their mission to provide superior products to households across the country. Their vision of becoming a leading household brand is within reach, a testament to the power of family, passion, and the pursuit of culinary perfection.