A NUMBER of small businesses took part in the National Small Business Week (NSBW) Expo organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), at the Railway Courtyard on Saturday.
Held under the theme, “Small Businesses, Big Opportunities,” the event brought together entrepreneurs, private-sector representatives and business-support organisations for activities aimed at strengthening micro and small businesses.
Among the exhibitors was Claire Richards, proprietress of Mother Nature’s Organic Farm, located at Madewini on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
She told this publication that participating in expos gives her business more exposure and awareness. While she uses social media to advertise, she said exhibitions enhance that reach.
At the farm, the raw materials are planted, reaped and made into a variety of products, including her well-known Pepper Fusion sauces, such as pineapple pepper, pumpkin pepper and passion fruit pepper. Honey is also harvested from the farm’s hives and bottled for sale. Richards said she is already a member of the Small Business Bureau and other business-development organisations in Guyana.
Dr Dave Azo, general manager and owner of CAPI Consulting Engineers, also used the expo to promote his company. CAPI offers geotechnical consulting, hydrogeological consulting, soil and material testing (laboratory and field), engineering consultancy, shallow- and deep-foundation design and structural design.
An engineer for many years, Dr. Azo earned his PhD in Japan, where he worked for several years before working in Canada. He has since moved to Guyana, bringing years of knowledge and experience in civil engineering. He noted that his business is only two and a half years old in Guyana and that its goal is to build capacity by gaining market experience and exposure to different markets and clients. CAPI has already participated in the International Building Expo, where he said there was great interest in the company’s services.
Falisha Mohamed, owner of Fun Craft Creation, was also present. She offers hand-made flowers, scented candles and keychains. She also operates a key-chain bar, where customers build their own keychains by choosing two letters and three charms, which she then attaches.
Mohamed started the business nearly five years ago when she came up with the idea of making flowers that, according to her, would last forever. “So, I started to do these flowers with pipe cleaners, and they came out so beautiful. So that’s how it started,” she shared.
NSBW has been an important chamber initiative since its launch in 2022, and the programme has evolved over four years to meet the changing needs of Guyanese entrepreneurs. Officials have said that small businesses contribute significantly to Guyana’s economy through employment, household support and the trade of goods and services.
The programme was developed to respond directly to entrepreneurs’ needs and provide practical opportunities for business growth.
