IN the corners of Lethem, Sharla Hernandez’s shop is said to be the “Amazon store” that has all the goodies—from arts and craft to cassareep, ground pepper, and other locally made products.
She has opened her shop to local producers, offering them a place to showcase and sell their products at no extra charge, thus empowering them to earn while she does the same.
The mother of four, including an adult son and three minors, told Pepperpot Magazine that she was a stay-at-home housewife until she established the shop three months ago, right in front of her home in Culvert City, five minutes from the Lethem airport.

She has worked in both the private and public sectors for many years. As a public servant, she became a licensed tour guide while working with Tourism Visit Rupununi. She is also qualified and certified in tourism, hospitality, and management and decided to use her experience and knowledge to start her own small business. Her shop allows her to showcase and market local products derived from the people of Rupununi.

Locals travel from faraway places, such as Nappi, Parishara, and villages from the Deep South, to sell their products at her shop. Often, she doesn’t have the heart to send them away empty-handed. Instead, she buys their products and resells them, ensuring that they return home with something in their pockets.

Sharla’s shop is a space where all local arts, crafts, and handmade products are displayed and sold. It has become a vital avenue for Rupununi’s producers and artisans from other remote villages to earn an income.

To promote the products she sells, she uses WhatsApp and Facebook for advertising free of charge, helping to give exposure to the local producers.
As a certified jeweller, she was self-taught but also learned from her mother, who hails from Region Nine and belongs to the Arawak/Wapishana tribes. She inherited their talents for handcrafting arts and jewellery, using her skills to support her growing business.

Sharla’s father is from Mabaruma, Region One, but she grew up in Shea Village, Deep South Rupununi, with her mother. She was raised alongside five siblings, with her brothers working in construction.

Many people who spend countless hours making craft products by hand visit her shop to sell their work. Instead of letting them leave without making a sale, Sharla purchases the items herself so they do not have to return home empty-handed.

“These people come from far away, walking miles at times. To send them away without buying their products is not something I feel good about, so I try my best to ensure they leave with something in their pockets,” she said.

As an Amerindian woman, she understands the struggles faced by her people, especially those from remote villages where travel is challenging and expensive.
The original cassareep she sells comes from Parishara, while the real raw honey is sourced from Nappi. Her shop also carries craft products and dried, crushed pepper from the Deep South.
Before she opened her own shop, she rented a space at the Incubation Centre near the Immigration Corner in Lethem. However, the cost of renting was high, so she decided to establish her own small business to be closer to home and her children.

As a single parent, she has always wanted to work and provide for her family independently. Running her own shop has allowed her to fulfil that dream.
Sharla is not the type of woman to sit idly by. She is multi-talented and always looking for ways to uplift herself and those around her. A true businesswoman, she enjoys earning her own money.
Her customer base is mainly online, and she arranges transportation via plane or bus from Lethem to Georgetown, where customers collect their orders. Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) is her primary form of payment.

As a licensed tour guide, she also provides tours for visitors who want to see how local products are made in the Rupununi, such as handwoven hammocks.
Currently, she is preparing for Rodeo Weekend in Lethem, which takes place during Easter. She is accepting bookings for space on her land for visitors who will need accommodation.
“As a full-time mother and businesswoman, I like to do things honestly to earn my own money. I do not like to depend on anyone, and I try my best to ensure that my children are provided for adequately,” she said.

Since opening her shop, she has been able to become financially independent, and she believes that more women should pursue entrepreneurship.
Sharla encourages other women to start their own businesses, no matter how small.