– How one creative used the pandemic to start up two small businesses

TO some mothers, leaving their newborn child with someone to work is off the cards. They’d do anything possible to be their child’s caregiver, even leave their job if they have to, or do less work. No one knows this better than Milika Stephens, who decided to resign as a registered nurse to be with her son when the pandemic started.

Much to her delight, Milika’s decision worked out great. Of course, the idea is not to leave a job if there’s absolutely no way of looking after yourself or family financially, but once there’s room for a decision such as this, as Milika’s experience shows, then why not?

The COVID-19 pandemic had just started raging in Guyana, and with very limited knowledge about the virus, Milika was not sure that hiring someone to look after her newborn son while she went to work was the best idea. So she left her job at the Woodlands Hospital.

“My son was a newborn and I didn’t have anyone to look at him; I didn’t feel safe leaving him with anyone. COVID was new to us; we didn’t know anything about it, so I wasn’t taking any chances,” Milika said during an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

So while at home and looking for something to do to bring in an income, Milika pursued her creative side and started up two small businesses that she’s quite proud of today. Cuddlesomegy was the first one that she started almost two years ago.

“I started making memory bears; teddy bears made out of personal items that have some sort of sentimental value like old clothing from a loved one who has died or outgrown baby clothes,” Milika recalled.

She can make anything into a teddy bear once it’s cloth. “School uniform bears have been very popular; they’re like a best seller. Lots of people are using them as graduation gifts,” she shared. It’s truly a beautiful, unique gift choice for all those who prefer to give a gift with real meaning and true sentiment.

This business idea inspired Milika to create her second business called Mili Makes, which is now about two months old. This involves making polymer clay earrings which have been trending online for quite some time now.

“I realised that I like being creative…I tried to avoid making polymer clay earrings, but I just kept seeing it online all over, so I decided to do it,” Milika reflected. “It turned out I am very good at it. I was just looking for another creative outlet and another way to make some money since I am still at home.”

Milika’s Instagram page brings in almost all of her work, and she’s pretty sure that her latest business will pick up in time. “I think this will altogether be a success, because women like to look nice and they like jewellery and the fact that this is different and unique, I think it’s going to attract a lot of people.”

She would usually use a flat, smooth surface (ceramic tiles) to do her work as it would make it easy to get the modelling clay off. Once she has formed the shape she has in mind, she’d then bake the materials in an oven. This was mostly a self-taught operation that Milika picked up along the way and is finding success with.

Asked what contributed to her interest in these businesses, Milika said it was the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it. “Honestly, I would thank COVID because had it not been for the pandemic, I would not have left my job, and I wouldn’t have been at home looking for other ways to generate income, so all of this happened as a result of the dreadful pandemic.”

Milika is looking forward to going back to the nursing profession, once she can find a job that would allow her to continue caring for her responsibilities at home. “I do want to go back to work eventually, but because of my responsibilities at home, I cannot do the shifts, so I am trying to find a job that will require my presence for only eight hours a day.”

In the meantime, she plans to attend as many exhibitions and similar activities as she can, so as to market her products. “I really enjoy doing it, so I will definitely continue.” Milika makes the items from home, but she has a shelf at the Collage store on Sheriff Street, next door to Ramchand’s Auto Spares.