M&I BUSINESS Enterprise, a small agro-processing company from Berbice, has brought joy to tea lovers with its value-added herbal teas and powders. Owners Isabeth and Michael Sinclair have created local bush teas with significant health benefits, offering a nutritious and flavourful way to enjoy tea.
Isabeth Sinclair, an agro-processor, told the Pepperpot Magazine that they operate from Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, and they have been in the business of producing 10 flavours of teas and two powders since June 2016. She related that they have a small operation, and it is a growing venture. In time, they plan to expand in products and operations, but for now, they are focusing on the 13 products they have on the market, which are available countrywide.

Sinclair stated that they provide permanent employment for two people, and when there is a need for more workers, they employ others on a temporary basis. She revealed that the teas come in 10 flavours: mixed tea, sweet sage, soursop leaf, moringa sunrise, teazam, Tulsi/holy basil, corilla bitters, guava leaves, lemongrass, and cure-for-all. The powders include moringa, a superfood for ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure, and ground orange peel, which is used for adding flavour to cakes and pastries.

Sinclair stated that in 2016, when they were closing their small computer maintenance and café shop, they realised they had to start a new business and ventured into making shredded coconuts, among other products, which later developed into powders and teas. The 27-year-old pointed out that M&I Business Enterprise is a budding local agro-processing company established to research, develop, test, and manufacture local products that are 100% natural and healthy.

The products can be found at the Guyana Shop on Robb and Alexander Street, Georgetown; Poonai’s Pharmacy, Public Road, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice; Medi-Care Pharmacy in the Bristol Mall, New Amsterdam; Massy Store, Providence, Guyana; Spready’s Supermarket, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
“M&I Business Enterprise is all about discovering nature’s harmony in every sip through our products. Our teas and powders of premium herbal teabags, crafted with care and commitment to quality, offer a delightful fusion of flavours and holistic well-being,” Sinclair said.

She disclosed that their brand of teabags and powders provides health benefits and adds nutritional value to the diet. It is a modernised form of bush tea, readily available at a pocket-friendly cost across the country. Sinclair, a mother of one, wanted to become a teacher but went into agro-processing after their home-based business closed years ago. She does not regret making that move and is loving the experience. Alongside her husband, Michael Sinclair, their small business is growing, and they may expand soon.

The effervescent businesswoman, who is fully supported by her spouse, told Pepperpot Magazine that when they first started, they produced packaged fruit mix, natural coconut shreds, moringa-based powdered seasoning mix, moringa teabags, packaged moringa seeds, and ground orange peel. As they became more experienced in their operations, they expanded to other flavours of teabags and ceased producing shredded coconuts.

Sinclair credits their success thus far to hard work, dedication, and support from several agencies, including the Small Business Bureau, which financed the capital to get the small agro-processing business off the ground, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which provided funding.
It is the hope of the Sinclairs, the agro-processors behind M&I Business Enterprise, to have their own processing plant one day to expand their business with newer products and provide stable employment for young people.