Teen launches small ‘sweet treats’ business during pandemic

By Naomi Parris

With the number of recorded cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 now surpassing over 1,000 cases locally, anxieties are high as Guyana seems to be heading for a second wave of the virus, however treating one’s self to a little sweet treat may be the best way to keep the fears and anxieties of the pandemic at bay.
Offering a delicacy of Donuts, 18-year-old Chelsea Tappin has been making a variety of different flavours in the treat to tickle taste buds and soothe minds with her culinary skills during the coronavirus pandemic, with her small business.

“Chell’s Donut Hub is a new business venture that provides delicious doughnuts for all sweet treat lovers. We officially launched on the 15th of August, 2020 and are always open for preorders. We do provide a pick-up or delivery service,” she said.

Tappin related that she intends to add a little bit of sunshine to her customers during this unsettling time, as such her doughnut treats come in various flavours and customers also have the option of customising their own flavour and toppings to make their order/s special.
“We desire that with every bite you are overtaken by joy and instant fulfilment. Our mission: to inspire humanity one bite at a time. We provide mainly cream filled and glazed doughnuts. Our cream-filled doughnuts are lemon flavoured with a hint of vanilla and our glazed flavours are chocolate and vanilla. We also offer a wide range of toppings from the classic sprinkles, Oreos, marshmallows, M&M’S, and chocolate chips, and as such customers can customize their order,” she explained

Admitting that it was no easy task to fulfill her business venture, Tappin stated that she was filled with doubt and questioned herself whether it would be the right time to open a business, especially a food business amid a health crisis, as well as would a business strive during such stressful time.
However, her business has been booming since its launch and she is now on the hunt for new recipes to widen her menu, to add new flavours, glazes and toppings to her treat.

Tappin, who hails from Linden, disclosed that she decided to share her hobby and love for doughnuts with the public as she found that in the process of making the treats it kept her busy as she took her mind off of the uncertainties of the pandemic. “Given the current situation, most definitely making doughnuts paves the way to alleviate boredom and serves as a positive distraction.”
Additionally, the young woman noted that she also wanted to share the delight of her treats with other Lindeners.
Aside from her love the culinary arts, Tappin is an aspiring Plant Pathologist studying Agriculture at the University of Guyana and an advocate for women empowerment.

“I’m no stranger to girl empowerment as I’m an ambassador for Girl Stand Up – a project planned and organised by the non-profit organisation Impacting Communities Changing Lives (ICCL). It is dedicated to empowering girls to become socially conscious,” she said.
The teen added her work in the local NGO pushes her to use her voice to advocate for the development of girls around the world, as this would help to shape the minds of strong empowered women of tomorrow that can then make effective decisions and set standards for themselves without fear.
She disclosed that it was her advocacy work for women empowerment that motivated her to turn her hobby into a small business.
“My motivation to start my own doughnut business stemmed from my long-lasting love for the treat, wanting to be an inspiration for others that may have the skill set to start their own business but are afraid too,” she said.

The teen stated that although her business is still fairly new she can see herself building an empire that will not only benefit her but her future children giving them a financial head start in their lives, “I would like to create generational wealth. I hope to leave my future children something that they can continue to develop and work on.”