HE’S of the firm belief that education alone will not cut it; that it takes much more to make it to the top in the world of business. And, perhaps, he does have a valid point there, as he’s been in the business for over 40 years.
Meet Essequibo businessman, Kumar Lallashan, popularly known as ‘Big Bird’, who is currently the owner of several businesses in the village of Charity, on the Essequibo Coast.
Being in business that long, ‘Big Bird’ told the Guyana Chronicle, he is now more than ever reaping the benefits of his hard work.
A true Essequibian at heart, he’s often said he wouldn’t trade it for the world, as it’s there he was born and raised, and it’s there, too, that he made his mark in the world of business after initial hardships in life.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Reminiscing on growing up as a lad in the village of Hampton Court, ‘Big Bird’ revealed that he had to drop out of school at a very tender age, as his family was very poor.
“I only went to school up to Standard 6 at the Eighth of May Primary School, because we were very poor, and I had to go out and work because it was hard on my mother,” he said.
His daily earnings back then of the princely sum of $1.25 from doing odd jobs around the village, he said, helped out a lot in the home.
From the age of 15, he said, he knew he wanted to be something great, and he was determined to reach for the sky.
This determination, he said, heightened after his dad began to supply President Burnham with coconuts that he cultivated up the Pomeroon River. “My dad used to supply Hope Estate with dry coconuts, and also to persons on the East Coast who made coconut oil. And that was my first feel of business,” ‘Big Bird’ said.
After the passing of his father in 1989, he migrated to Georgetown at the age of 15, and began working on sea as a fisherman.
He would later return to Essequibo and establish a liquor store, which is when he began to spread his wings.

PROUD OWNER
Currently, ‘Big Bird’ is the proud owner of a fish depot, gas station, supermarket, restaurant and food court cum bar, all located at the Pomeroon Stelling in the village of Charity.
He is also on the verge of establishing a food court at the soon-to-be-constructed Unity Park at Unity Village.
Well known in Charity and neighbouring villages for his fish business, ‘Big Bird’ says it’s the one aspect of business he enjoys the most, as not only has he been at it since 1997, but he will continue to as there is a great demand for fish.
He said that even though he does not do the fishing directly, he plays a pivotal role in the job of the fishermen. “I buy and sell the fish to Georgetown, but I also sell it up here, because it has demand,” ‘Big Bird’ said.
Besides buying from the fishermen, this businessman also loans them boats, ropes, ice and nets etc, as he tries to assist them in whatever way he can.
‘Big Bird’ said one of the reasons he’s so involved in the food business is because Essequibo is fast becoming a tourist destination, especially with the construction of recreation parks.
He said that tourist will now more than ever be encouraged to visit the Cinderella County, and he wants to play a pivotal role in this change.
This striving businessman said he plans to live in Essequibo for the remainder of his life, as he loves his hometown and the people, and since it brings him great happiness to be there, he will continue to serve them in this capacity.
“I truly love Essequibo; I am a true Essequibian… I born here, and will die right here,” he said.
By Vanessa Braithwaite