How two creatives turned anime fandom into one of Guyana’s most talked-about creative enterprises
WHAT began as a shared love for anime between a young creative couple has grown into one of Guyana’s most recognisable event organisers. Through Sozo’s Enterprise, and their flagship event Mars, and a slate of creative pop culture events, George Jacobs, along with wife and business partner Marissa, have built a business rooted in creativity, community and innovation. Speaking candidly to the Pepperpot Magazine about their journey, Jacobs reflected on the origins of the enterprise, the challenges of operating in an uncharted market in Guyana, and the vision driving Sozo’s continued expansion.
The love and support that Sozo’s Enterprise is known for today were sparked by its first-ever anime convention, Mars, in 2022. The event saw more than six hundred patrons show up to support, and that support has been growing ever since. The business does a lot more than niche events and conventions, however. As Jacobs told Pepperpot Magazine, Sozo’s Enterprise provides event management, animation, and artwork. “Our business has a few sectors. We are into event management, which involves hosting and planning events. We are also into arts and animation. We have an animation section with our illustrator, who does all the animations and artwork. Some of the artwork we have done recently includes every single Mars badge or character you would have seen, all made by our illustrator,” he shared.
While Sozo’s offers and has pioneered a wide variety of events across various sections of pop culture, from themed garden get-togethers to unique and captivating parties, anime is still the core of the enterprise. As Jacobs shared, the husband-and-wife duo, now 26, launched the business almost 6 years ago, seeking to create a community of fellow anime lovers. That community garnered support, which kick-started the idea for Sozo’s Enterprise. “What really got us into this is that my partner and I are huge anime fans. Growing up, people often looked at us as being weird for liking cartoons so much. It felt like we could not showcase the thing we loved. After learning about conventions and realising there were other people like us who enjoyed the same things, we decided to take a big step and try to host our own convention here,” he said. “It was out of love for anime and the community that we decided to do this. The business itself stemmed from that desire to provide for the community.”
Established in passion for the art form and creativity of anime, Jacobs and his partner have been keen to ensure that their products, events and services stay affordable, while being made and produced to the highest quality possible. “Our business was created to be a bridge of affordability and quality between the anime community and the general public. That was our initial mindset and it remains our mindset today. It is still the goal we continuously pursue. We try to host events at an affordable price and give people the most they can get for an extremely affordable cost,” he said. This, Jacobs shared, was the mindset that started the business and has kept it going. “We realised people wanted anime merchandise but could not afford it because it was being sold at very high prices. We decided that we could make items ourselves. My partner is very artistic and creative and was able to create giant wall stickers and various character designs. That is really how the soul of the enterprise started.”
Like so many entrepreneurs, Jacobs and his partner, Marissa, faced the biggest challenge in developing the business in their own self-doubt and fear. “Our biggest challenge was ourselves. We constantly thought that nothing would sell, that nobody would want it, and that people would look down on it because it was so niche and not common in Guyana. When we made our first sale, which came from friends and family, it gave us a huge spark.” Holding on to that spark, the duo pushed forward, learning the ins and outs of the business along the way. “At that time, we also lacked knowledge about sourcing materials, importing them to Guyana, and understanding what supplies were best. We started connecting with other artists in Guyana, who guided us and helped us develop further. Eventually, we were able to realise a vision that was larger than what we initially imagined.”
That vision is now much more of a reality than ever before, but it has also been a rollercoaster, says Jacobs. Opening a business in an uncharted niche as young first-time entrepreneurs in Guyana is challenging. As he explained, the field can be hectic, and the supply and logistics of one of Guyana’s most unique ventures come with a unique host of challenges. “The journey has been a complete rollercoaster. We are often our own worst enemies, constantly comparing ourselves to other businesses that may not even be in our niche. We look at numbers, influence and progress and feel discouraged,” he said. “Then we host an event, see a massive turnout, and feel reassured that we are building something meaningful. In 2023, things really began to transform for us, and we were able to do much more.” While the business continues to see massive support, challenges of operating in an almost unexplored niche in Guyana persist. “It can be extremely hectic. People can be unreliable and can even lie directly to your face. Contracts can be broken, and it becomes challenging, especially when what you are doing has never been done before. There is no template or guide to follow.”
As a young entrepreneur, Jacobs believes that the biggest gap in Guyana’s entrepreneurship sector, particularly for young people, is knowledge. Citing his own experience launching Sozo’s at just twenty years old, Jacobs believes that while the ideas and drive to start businesses exist among Guyana’s young people, more knowledge is needed. “Knowledge is a major gap. Many people do not truly understand what it takes to create a business. They may know parts of the process but miss critical steps. Workshops could be improved by explaining things in plain and simple terms. Many workshops provide information, but it is not always straightforward,” he said. “There should be clearer, step-by-step guidance and more forums where larger businesses share real experiences and practical advice rather than just motivational talk. Creating spaces where business owners can meet suppliers, wholesalers, and industry contacts would be extremely helpful.” To young entrepreneurs taking the first step, however, Jacobs urges them to hold on to their passion, ideas and drive.
Moving forward into 2026, Jacobs and the entire Sozo team already have three events slated for the year, including the Whimsical Cake-Nic and Garden Party, which combines a cake picnic and a garden party. They also have an event planned for June, a mix of a party, a mixer, and a games day. The highlight of the year, however, is Mars, slated for this August. Jacobs says work has already begun to make Mars 2026 the best one yet. “Our final major event is Mars, happening from August 21st to the 23rd. It is the largest anime convention in Guyana and we are working to bring it to an international standard. It is a packed three-day event with new activities and the regional cosplay summit,” he shared. At its core, Sozo’s Enterprise continues to be driven by passion, creativity and a deep commitment to the community that helped shape it. With several other events already confirmed for 2026 and Mars set to raise the regional standard for anime conventions, George and Marissa remain focused on growing the brand while staying true to the niche culture that started it all.
