ANNE BRISTOL-PETERS is known for her many talents, which she has managed to turn into business ventures. However, the vibrant mother of two, born in the village of Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, never thought one day she would become a successful agro-processor.
Anne’s agro-processing journey began in 2013 when she made her first batch of hot sauce in the comfort of her kitchen at her Hope Lowland home on the East Coast of Demerara. During that period, Anne sourced all her packaging materials locally and her product had a mere black and white label.
Visiting the market twice a week to sell her hot sauce was not an easy task. however, the positive feedback from her customers inspired her to increase her supply and seek new markets. Upon approaching the Guyana Shop Manager, she was advised about the requirements for her products to be placed on supermarkets’ shelves.
This advice not only led to the acquisition of her Business Registration and Food Facility Licence, but she also managed to improve the quality and packaging of her products significantly.
Through the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Anne’s Products have been afforded many opportunities for recognition and growth. Anne’s Products are also marketed persistently on the Guyana Shop’s social media platforms and at promotional events. Besides GMC, Anne also credits Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association, Small Business Bureau, and Rosh Khan who have all played an instrumental role in her journey to success.
Challenges that Anne faced over the years included the high cost of packaging materials and the laborious process of having to fill each container manually. As such, she hopes that the government can provide subsidies to small agro-processors like herself, and desires to one day be able to own a filling machine.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Anne took the opportunity to expand her production facility at her Hope Lowlands residence. Anne is confident that one day her vision of acquiring a land to build her own factory and providing employment to many will come through.
Today, Anne has managed to expand her product line to nine different condiments and produces ‘mauby drink’. Though she provides employment to three persons, she is actively present in the operations of her business.
Her advice to persons who are interested in starting their own business is “Better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all. I started with one product and now I have ten products in various supermarkets across the country. It is not a walk in the park but with hard work and determination you will succeed.” She encourages the general public to support local agro-processors by purchasing their products as it helps to grow the economy.
Anne’s Products can be found in the Guyana Shop and at all major supermarkets such as DSL, Bounty, Massy Stores, Coss Cutters and various Chinese Supermarkets across the country. Through a relative, Anne’s Products have entered the St. Marteen and Canadian markets. From January 18, 2021, the Guyana Shop will have a two-week promotion on Anne’s Products – purchase any two Anne’s Products, and you will be given a free Anne’s Products Mauby Drink.
Persons desirous of starting their agri-business are encouraged to contact the Guyana Marketing Corporation Agri-business Development Department for assistance. (Contributed by GMC)
