WITH many now staying indoors to aid in the slowing of the spread of the deadly COVID-19, finding innovative, fun things to do can be a challenge. However, several entrepreneurs have opted to take their various businesses to the homes of their customers.

Surida Nagreadi, owner of the popular ‘Sip & Paint’ event, Zen Events, has been offering at-home painting kits, along with self-care baskets to her customers.

The self-care baskets which vary in prices come with scented candles, novels, journals, stylish pens and markers, luxury soaps, colouring books, bathing salts, facial masks, and body care products. Meanwhile, the at-home painting kits consist of a canvas, several brushes and acrylic paint along with instructions.

Nagreadi is also offering painting kits for children to help them keep busy while exploring their creative skills amidst the closure of schools.
“What we offer, is a one of kind crafting experience that we bring to individuals, to couples, to families, basically anything that we do self-care is fundamental, so we are bringing different events which we could have not done now because of the COVID-19 situation [to people’s homes],” she stated.

Meanwhile, John Reman a local chef, is looking to promote a healthier lifestyle, and the nostalgic feeling of cooking in a Guyanese kitchen, with his upcoming cooking show.
He noted that, during this stressful time, cooking is definitely an activity that can ease the anxieties surrounding the ongoing health crisis.

“At this time people can start to reconnect with their culinary dream, in doing that persons can engage with their spouses and family,” the chef stated.
He added that cooking will open a person’s mind to become more creative in the kitchen and thus eat healthier.

“It forces you to think healthy and outside of the box and make use of whatever ingredients you may have in your home.”
Additionally, Chef Reman noted that one of his primary goals of his upcoming programme is to have interactive sessions with persons, and encourage them to have family time in the kitchen, so as to return the nostalgia of cooking together as a family, and teaching the younger ones the art of the Guyanese cuisines and other dishes.

Additionally, Travell Blackman, owner and Chief Executive Officer of Innovign Art, has been offering virtual décor workshops, teaching the fundamental techniques in creating giant paper flowers and other decorative pieces.
“Because of the COVID-19 everything is on hold, our contracts have been postponed or cancelled until further notice; nevertheless, Innovign Art is making the best of the situation and is offering virtual workshops,” he stated.

Innovign has hosted workshops in Berbice, Bartica, Essequibo Coast and Linden and across the Caribbean regions.
The entrepreneur noted that the workshops have managed to see persons from St. Kitts, Barbados, Jamaica and other far-fetched areas. He added that thousands have since benefitted from the workshops, some even going on to start their own decorative business.