FOR some, being at home as housewives in itself is a tall task, but the women of Reliance Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, are not having it that way. They were determined to earn right out of their homes and started small businesses to bring in incomes.

Meet Seema Persaud, an enterprising young woman who is set on having her own small business as a pastry and cake maker who work on the basis of orders from the comfort of her own home.

The 34-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that being at home during the pandemic was taking a toll on her, and it got even worse when her husband was laid off from the sugar estate three years ago.

She decided to utilise her skills in cake-making and baking and established her own small business catering for events.

Persaud makes cupcakes to match the icing cake, as well as pastries based on orders.

She is the mother of a 14-year-old who attends Berbice High School and has been residing at Reliance Settlement for the past 11 years.

Persaud stated that she has been married for 15 years and was not working, but wanted to assist her husband in earning.

She added that she received formal training at the Welfare Centre in Canefield Village and is certified in sewing, cake-making and baking.

Persaud maximised the use of opportunities by participating in all the courses offered and even took the cooking classes.

She is originally from Adelphi Village, a neighbouring community, but enjoys the quiet country life in Reliance Settlement.

“As you can see, the door is always closed, I am indoors, doing whatever needs to be done, and that is just fine, because it is just peaceful and nice here; no real issues, and the people mind their own business,” she said.

Persaud does her pastry-making on Saturdays and makes cakes and cupcakes whenever she gets orders.

After her husband was re-hired as a Field Foreman but on contract at the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate, two years ago, she continued with her small business.

“I am a fast learner, basically garnered a lot from YouTube in terms of cake-making and designs. I try to master the art, and I give the customers what they ask for because people want modern cake designs for your children, especially cartoon characters and other things; so being able to make those cakes is a plus in this line of business for me,” she said.

Persaud makes pine tarts, cheese rolls, chicken patties, vegetarian and non-vegetarian icing cakes and cupcakes.

“I would make the cake and the customer would come and pick it up when it is ready and I don’t have a name for my small business just yet; it is a small, right-from- home, kind of thing. So maybe, when I opened[sic] my cake shop in the near future, I will find a fitting name to attach,’ she said.

She related that she always wanted her own small business and she is working on getting a shop in New Amsterdam, a central location which will attract customers and walk-ins.

Karuna Budhram and her small business
Meanwhile, Karuna Budhram, who is a resident of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, has her own small business, doing make-ups, nails and henna.

The 35-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she never liked working with people and decided to start something of her own to earn.

The mother of one related that she went to do several courses and became qualified; as such, she was armed with the ‘know how’ and to do henna, nails and full-face make-ups and began her journey as a small-business owner.

Budhram started her small business right from her home two years ago and has not regretted it because she has become well-known among her peers and has built her clientele.

Today, she works on the basis of appointments and would even visit homes or any location to do nails, henna and make-ups.

Whenever a client does her nails and henna, it is a special package and they get a discount.

As for the henna aspect, Budhram is self-taught and has mastered the skill so much, so she doesn’t use any stencils like others, but can draw almost any pattern.

She does henna for weddings, especially for Muslims and Hindus. The henna lasts one week.

Budhram does both poly gel and acrylic for nails and for make-up, she uses high-end products in the brand name of Morphe; she uses her own products and can do manicures and pedicures, all at pocket-friendly prices.