Week Nineteen: From Sauce to Strategy

It’s been another “in-between” kind of week. Not busy with events or travel, but filled with the behind-the-scenes moments that matter.

For me, this week was all about keeping myself in check. I’ve been reflecting a lot on the idea of output, the difference between doing what’s necessary and doing what’s meaningful. I know I could get away with just completing the basics, doing what needs to be done and checking the boxes. But that’s not where I find motivation. I want my work to reflect why I’m here, not just that I’m here.

So I’ve been trying to balance two things: contributing in a meaningful way while also not overextending myself unnecessarily. There are always tasks that simply have to get done — emails, planning, logistics but I’m always looking for the ways I can bring something extra to the table. Something that has more long-term value, that builds something, even if slowly.

Printing, Packaging, and Possibility

One of the more interesting themes this week, and one I didn’t expect to be thinking about so deeply, has been printing. Yes, printing. Labels, stickers, signage, all the seemingly small stuff that plays a big role in presentation, especially for small businesses.

What sparked this line of thinking was the GM&SA Small Business Market (hosted by the Guyana Marketing and Services Association). It was essentially a large-scale farmers’ market, filled with local vendors, food producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. And honestly, it was incredible.

There were stalls with everything from mango achar and pineapple wine to pepper sauces and herbal teas. It was such a great mix of flavours, stories, and creativity, and you know me, I was there for the samples. But I was also there with my marketing hat on, paying close attention to packaging, product design, and how people are telling their brand stories.

And that’s where the disparity jumped out. Some vendors had beautiful packaging, clean labels, waterproof stickers, barcodes, and clear branding. You could tell there was thought behind it, and in some cases, even the readiness to sell at a retail level. I chatted with one vendor who had already registered barcodes for their products, something I didn’t even know you could do so easily, and they were fully prepared to scale.

But then on the flip side, there were people with handwritten labels or packaging that came off a standard home printer. And that’s not a criticism, it’s just a reflection of the reality. Printer quality and access to affordable, high-quality materials are a serious challenge here.

A few people I spoke to said that for real printing needs — packaging, labelling, large runs they often turn to Trinidad or even the U.S. It’s more cost-effective, the quality is better, and the options are broader. But that means money is leaving the country, and local businesses aren’t benefiting from the kind of infrastructure that could keep that investment at home.

It feels like an opportunity. If Guyana wants to support its growing wave of entrepreneurs — and there are so many amazing small businesses here — there needs to be more accessible, high-quality printing solutions available locally. It’s one of those invisible levers that could help scale the entire ecosystem.

Flavour, Culture & Understanding the Local Kitchen

One unexpected benefit of visiting the Small Business Market was how it helped me understand local cuisine in a more hands-on way. I’ve got my usual cooking habits from back home — mostly Western and Asian influences, with some Indian dishes in rotation — but those don’t always translate here, especially when certain ingredients are harder to find or more expensive.

So, talking to the vendors about how they make their products. What spices they use, how they pair their flavours, and what they recommend you eat it with was a crash course in local food culture. I came away with some new sauces, a better understanding of the spice palette, and a real appreciation for the creativity that’s happening in these kitchens.

That’s the kind of knowledge that doesn’t come from a YouTube recipe or a restaurant menu. It comes from conversations, from tastings, from hearing the “why” behind someone’s recipe. It’s something I’d love to keep doing, not just eating local food, but understanding it. Learning the thinking behind it. Because that’s where the real story is.

Good, Challenge & What’s Next

The Good: People. Whether it’s colleagues being supportive of projects or vendors at the market sharing their stories, there’s been a lot of kindness and encouragement this week, and that always fuels me.

The Challenge: Time. Too much and not enough, all at once. Trying to find the balance between focus and flexibility, between productivity and peace. Some weeks feel like a blur; this was one of them.

What’s Next: It’s Restaurant Week in Guyana! We’ve got a few lunches and dinners planned, and I’m looking forward to seeing how different chefs approach local ingredients in elevated ways. It should be a fun — and delicious — way to keep exploring.

That’s it for this week! From printing problems to pepper sauce, this week was all about the little things that make a big difference. Whether it’s a label on a bottle or the story behind a new flavour, it all adds up to a bigger picture: one where small businesses, local culture, and meaningful communication all matter.