Guyanese Couple return home and make headway with mobile wine bar -Imported varietal wines

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 24, 2018

As the famous saying goes, ‘Home is where the heart is’.

This has been the story of Guyanese couple Keon and Michelle Howard, who have established a small but fast-growing business here.

Residing in Canada for over 20 years Keon Howard managed to encourage his wife Michelle Howard who migrated to Canada as a toddler, to return to Guyana permanently.

“I love this place so much. Canada is beautiful place but it is not home,” Keon told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Following in the same light, Michelle said, “If I didn’t marry him, I would not know much of Guyana. He has brought out the Guyanese in me and now I am fiercely protective of it.” She added, “At first I was a bit skeptical but it has turned out to be a beautiful journey. To anyone abroad, it is a wonderful adventure…Guyana needs us.”

Married for over 14 years, the Howards explained that upon deciding to migrate home, the thought of establishing a small business was priority.

In October 2017, the couple established a wine business called ‘Winedays’, which delivers wine around Georgetown at no cost. They also sell wine, wholesale to restaurants and hotels, and at various events with their locally developed mobile wine bar called ‘Vinny’.

According to the couple, they would import over 80 varieties of wine for their business. “We are sourcing boutique wineries; its small wineries that are paying attention to the process of making the wine, in addition to craft siders and mixers that are used for cocktails, because young people want to know if the wines are biodynamic or organic,” Michelle Howard said.

From the official startup of the business, Keon Howard pointed out that the reception from the public has been overwhelming.  He noted, “We are surprised at the response so far. On our social page, it is very active, the response is good and getting better. People prefer the sweeter wines though.”

Some of the wines imported by ‘Winedays’ are Brut Magnotta, Kittling Ridge Premium Icewine Brandy, Palatine Estates Winery Riesling and the most popular French Blend Magnotta all in red, white or rose colours.

In addition to its social pages, the Howards would engage in random popups at various locations with their mobile wine bar as a way of attracting more wine lovers among curious consumers. They would also conduct monthly wine tastings at the Garage Outlet or the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.

“We have done about 50 popups so far, people reach out to us when they are opening their salons or new stores. We believe, for someone to buy your wine, they should taste it and this is another way of boosting our sales,” Keon said.

Though the business is still young, there are hopes to have it expand. The Howards explained that they would hire persons when servicing big events such as weddings or other social events like CurlFete, “This made us say we are on the right track, the response was awesome and we felt really good.”

While the business is not without challenges, the couple noted the experiences made them grow closer to each other and has made them more persistent.

“I am never afraid. We started our electrical business in Toronto as a couple and it has been over ten years. Toronto is a big place and once we can succeed there, then I don’t see why we can’t do it here in Guyana”, Keon explained.

His advice to budding entrepreneurs is “Starting up a business is not easy. You have to be disciplined, patient and humbled. There will be setbacks. Every setback is a setup for a comeback.”

Michelle added that, “Things take time. You have to be able to put in the work and realize it is not going to happen overnight. There are a lot of No’s businesses get, but do not take it personal. Let it be your motivation to come back the next day and go again.”

Noting the prices for the wines are economical, the couple explained they range from the cheapest being $4500 and the most expensive $20,000. Wines are also wholesaled at more than six bottles of wines $3000 to $15000.

The products are not yet in the local supermarkets; however, persons can obtain it from hotels like Sleepin Hotel, Parkview Hotel, Rubis Gas Station, The Strip Giftland and Soca Paradise on the East Bank. Orders can also be placed through the business’s social media page Winedaysgy or their mobile +592-641-3633.

 

By: Crystal Stoll

Images by Leon Leung.