A proud product of Albouystown | Yasmin ‘Nesha’ Deonauth
Yasmin Deonauth – Founder and Managing Director of the popular “Nesha’s Flowerland” located at Church Street Georgetown, Guyana.
Yasmin Deonauth – Founder and Managing Director of the popular “Nesha’s Flowerland” located at Church Street Georgetown, Guyana.

TRADITIONALLY and until today, flowers have been and continue to be a symbol of love and appreciation and a great way of saying “I love you” and “Thank you Mother” on Mother’s Day.

And interestingly, whatever our choice of gift, it always seems the package would not be complete without flowers or at least one rose. So, one can imagine the disappointment of a mother who is not fortunate enough to receive that precious emblem on her special day.
In Guyana, at the break of the month of May, there is usually a surge of activity as women and girls, in particular, begin putting together floral arrangements, making orders for custom-made bouquets or making choice selections from amongst the hordes of colourful and attractively designed bouquets available around town and the coastland.

Yasmin Deonauth – Founder and Managing Director of the popular “Nesha’s Flowerland” located at Church Street Georgetown, Guyana.

And as we continue to ‘talk flowers’, today, the Pepperpot Magazine would like to feature Mrs. Yasmin Deonauth, Managing Director of “Nesha’s Flowerland”, a woman who has been involved in the flower business for about 25 years and whose products keep getting bigger and better each year. Yasmin has developed a reputation as possibly being one of Guyana’s Number One florist – offering bouquets, dry arrangements and fresh flowers among other things for sale.

Not only is she recognised for the significant impact she has made as it relates to making flowers available for Mother’s Day and on all other celebratory occasions, but for the admirable way in which she discharges her duties as a wife; maternal duties as a mother of four; and dutifully caring for her sick mother to the time of her (mother’s) death. She fully understands the challenges of having children; doing business, while performing maternal duties. She is, however, grateful for the support given her by her husband. She is married and has an attentive husband alongside her to give her that support.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
An accomplished florist, Yasmin, who comes from humble beginnings was born and educated in Albouystown where she has been living for the last 50 years or so with her family. She proudly recalls the fun times she and her five siblings had while growing up in Albouystown, where none of the yards were fenced, and as children, they played freely with other neighbours regardless of ethnicity. “But somehow the kids always seemed drawn to our yard and together we had great fun playing hopscotch, Chinese skipping, hide and seek, blindfold and I was virtually a little tomboy… always climbing,” she recalled with an air of nostalgia.

A MOTHER’S LOVE
Her mother Mangri, also called ‘Punna’ sold fish in the East La Penitence Market and was known for her warm, caring and compassionate nature towards, not only those she knew but to the less fortunate.
After her mother fell ill, Yasmin was always there for her, physically nursing her and comforting her every step of the way. Then came Mother’s Day and as usual she bestowed her beloved mom with a beautiful bouquet of flowers – not for one moment realising that it would have been her last gift to her. Five days later, she breathed her last breath. And to this day, Yasmin holds fond memories of her dear mother and best friend.
Initially, Yasmin attended Dolphin Government School in Charlestown, then at age 13, migrated to the United States of America where she lived in Washington D.C. and attended the Woodrow Wilson High School where she did very well. “At the school, I was told that you had to secure 18 or 19 credits before being able to graduate. But by the time I reached 12th Grade, all I needed was about another two credits. I carried myself very well and a lot of students would think that I was a teacher,” said Yasmin.
After graduating from high school, Yasmin decided to enter the world of work and so while yet in the United States, launched out into the flower shop business. It was an incredible success, but somehow she kept longing to return to Guyana which to this day, holds treasured memories for her.

She returned to Guyana and even after marriage she continued living in Albouystown where all her children were born and had their early education before proceeding to university. Two of her children are in China – one about to finish her Master’s Degree, the other a PhD. – while a third is attending the University of Guyana and the fourth is at Marian Academy.

BUSINESSWOMAN
Yasmin’s first venture when she returned home was to set herself up a flower shop in Guyana, leaving off where she did in the United States of America.
And incredibly, even while doing her flower business for 13 years, she successfully ran the “Bollywood Night Club” on David Street and Vlissengen Road. Despite her busy schedule, imbued with an incredible amount of energy, she was always on time to open the doors of the flower shop next morning. “Those were the best enjoyable times I’ve ever had in business,” she recalled.

Yasmin, whose business establishment was destroyed by fire four days before Christmas some years ago, never buckled, but demonstrated strength of character and resilience, working resolutely and within a record two weeks was able to come back on stream.
Moreover, she has been credited for her consistency in the business; her contribution to national development as an entrepreneur and her contribution to the training and development of her staff.

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