AGRO-PROCESSOR Heather Thompson of Heather’s Creation and Products is one of the latest small business owners to receive the approved ‘Made in Guyana’ Standards Mark from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

It was through hard work and dedication that Heather’s Creation and Products earned the right to use the GNBS Approved ‘Made in Guyana’ Standards Mark on its cooking sauces (tamarind cooking sauce, tamarind and pineapple cooking sauce, pineapple jerk marinade, banana and pineapple cooking sauce); coconut flour oatmeal cookies (original, ginger flavour, fruit and vegetable flavour); and Exotic Spice Blend.

On May 21, 2025, at the GNBS Head Office in the Sophia Exhibition Complex, Georgetown, a ceremony was held to mark the occasion of certification, a moment that had long been in the making for Thompson.

The Made in Guyana certificate was officially presented by Keon Rankin, Head (Ag.) of Certification Services, and Technical Officer Rachel Cecil, to the Owner/Proprietress Heather Thompson and her spouse, Richard Thompson.

Also present at the ceremony was GNBS Business Development Officer, Shivraj Ramdat.
The Made in Guyana Standards Mark is a registered symbol that recognises locally manufactured products both on the local and international markets.
It serves as a hallmark of quality for authentic Guyanese products.

Thompson is a multi-talented entrepreneur, her business includes the production of her own versions of sauces, spice blends, fruit blends, and cookie mixes.
Heather’s Creation and Products was launched on the local market during the post-COVID-19 pandemic as a multi-faceted business, offering agro-processed items, fabrics and unique health-conscious and eco-friendly designs.

Some of the outstanding products emerging from this brand include: ‘Heather’s Cooking Sauces’, ‘Heather’s Exotic Spice Blends’, and ‘Heather’s Coconut and Oatmeal Cookies’.
For Thompson, a kind, creative entrepreneur, the opportune time for the growth and expansion of her business enterprise ‘Heather Thompson’s Creation’ is here and now, and she feels elated about her latest achievement in gaining the requisite certification.

She added that with the Made in Guyana Standards Mark awarded by GNBS, the certifying body for standards, her products can now be exported more easily, given they are now verified to meet the highest standards of quality.

Thompson related that it was a long process that took time to navigate before she gained such certification, and she is thankful for the guidance provided by GNBS and the other agencies that supported her along the way.

A native of Mahdia, Region Eight, Thompson explained that the genesis of her business is rooted in her love for craft, culinary arts, and hospitality.
From an early age, she learnt the fine art of preparing traditional Guyanese and Caribbean delicacies for tourists who visited the area.

Her sharp business acumen was developed during her early years managing her father’s business, where she committed herself to learning new skills and understanding how to manage and market products, knowledge that has significantly contributed to her success in the local agro-processing industry.
She noted that, despite her traditional knowledge of business and her craft, the decision to migrate to the coastland to allow her daughter to pursue her secondary education changed the trajectory of her life in a positive way.

As her family quickly adapted to life in Region Three to achieve their goals of better education and opportunity, Heather enrolled in and successfully completed culinary, art, and craft courses at the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, a decision that would later empower her both personally and professionally.
After completing her training at the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Thompson worked diligently at several reputable restaurants in Georgetown, all while continuing her quest for more knowledge in the field of food sciences and exploring ways to create unique tropical flavours using locally available ingredients.

In 2019, the creation of ‘Heather’s Cooking Sauces’, a unique blend of local spices, herbs, and tropical fruits, came to her in a dream.
She quickly jotted down the details upon waking and, without hesitation, began mixing her collection of spices, herbs, and local ingredients.

At the time, commercial production was not a consideration. One of the joys she found was simply creating the perfect blend to add that extra “umami” to meals she prepared for her guests.
However, after sharing multiple bottles of her signature sauces with family and friends from her church, they encouraged her to label and package her products for both local and regional markets.

Thompson said the transition to commercial production is still ongoing but was quick to note how easily her products were accepted by the market.
“One of my first stops to market my products was at the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Guyana Shop and today I have no regrets. Through their marketing initiatives, for example, the Guyana

Shop Corners and international exposures my products continue to reach different audiences, and the reviews are quite pleasant and encouraging,” the entrepreneur said.
Further, with the positive reviews received about ‘Heather’s Cooking Sauces’, the product line has since expanded to include ‘Heather’s Exotic Spice Blend’ and ‘Heather’s Coconut and Oatmeal Cookies’.

“Our introductory product was the line of ‘Heather’s Cooking Sauces’ made from high-quality, fresh local fruits including pineapples, bananas, and tamarind, coupled with natural preservatives — blended and processed to perfection. It was created as an excellent marinade, meat tenderiser, and sauce for vegetable stir-fry and dips.
“It is also excellent for grilling, roasting, or baking. Meanwhile, the ‘Exotic Spice Blends’ are perfect for dry rubs, stews, or any flavouring you wish to create. Both products are MSG-free, while

the cookies are made from gluten-free ingredients such as coconut and oatmeal, combined with minimally processed sugar,” she said.
Thompson takes pride in ensuring that all of her products are made from the best local ingredients and processed in an eco-friendly environment that upholds the highest standards.