Small business in focus… Local spice business adding zest to Guyanese kitchens
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DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 3, 2018
No meal should be boring! Adding herbs and spices can make your food tastier and at the same time boost your health. Twenty-seven-year-old, Rodiek-ah DeFreitas of Diekah’s Spices is aiming to boost the culinary arts with her line of locally made spices.
Offering over seven types of seasonings, the young entrepreneur explained the distinctiveness of her business. “There is no aji (monosodium glutamate) in them and they are distinctly Guyanese. I try to establish this fact that over and over because I want to promote my country; make others aware of the unique abundance right here in our country.”
Diekha’s spices offer chowmein seasoning, chicken seasoning, cook-up, fish, fried rice, garlic and all-purpose seasonings.
Operating at a solo-level, the businesswoman explained her passion for spice making developed in her childhood days, when she watched her mother plying the trade.
“I love being around it, I love the smell, the taste. Just being around it takes me over. Growing up with my mom and seeing her in the business and her dedication to it gave me that extra boost to continue the business and take it to the next level,” DeFreitas said.
Since the business’s initial startup and showcase at this year’s first UncappeD Marketplace, DeFreitas has been overwhelmed at the number of persons showing interest in her products.
The former Qualfon Customer Representative’s plan is to have her products in all local shops and supermarkets, as well as exported to other countries.
DeFreitas is currently collaborating with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) to take her business to the next level. She explained, “They would engage me in networking services that they host every last Thursday in the month. I have been attending many of their seminars and these have helped me to develop and be more knowledgeable about business management. I have also participated in customer training as well. It has really been good for me.”
The businesswoman encouraged Guyanese to throw their support behind her locally made products, “I encourage you to buy local because we have our own natural spices right here, and the spices are healthy. I look forward to your support.”
Diekah’s spices are sold at the Guyana Shop on Robb Street or at a shop (located near the bridge) on Third Street, Alexander Village at retail prices of $700 per 141-gram bottle and $200 per 50-gram packet. DeFreitas can also be contacted on telephone number 604-7476 or via her business page on Facebook.
By: Crystal Stoll
Image: Giovanni Gajie