Small businesses are an ever prevailing trend in our Guyanese society. While some embrace this avenue to supplement an existing income, there are other instances that it is the only income that a family depends on.
Ceon Blair understands this all too well. He has been depending on a small business for almost 18 years now. His small business is characterised by the sale of chips. Yes! The sale of a variety of locally made chips is what Blair has been depending on for his livelihood.
Ceon Blair’s chips are so good that even the busy Freddie Kissoon, a popular newspaper columnist, takes time out to make a purchase.
From all indications this has been working well for him as there are many who look forward, on a daily basis, for the merchandise he offers.
From the ever familiar plantain, to the sometimes hard to find breadfruit and even sweet potato and cassava, Blair is able to provide these, sliced, salted, fried and packaged just right to satisfy the needs of his customers. He even offers mango sour to those who so desire. Mango sour is a type of West Indian sauce that is known to add a tangy and spicy flavour to the chips.
But Blair doesn’t merely leave it up to his customers to come and get his chips. He finds them every day on his own by walking the streets of the city. He earns a few new ones along the way.
His trek, from Sophia, Georgetown, where he resides, to many sections of the capital city to find his customers has become an all too familiar sight.
According to Blair, while some days are better than others he continues to ply this trade because of the satisfaction he gains from what he does.
The father of four said that although his income is small, he is somehow able to meet the needs of himself and family as best as he can. “This is something I been doing for years, it is not always easy but I feel good about myself when I see people appreciate what I have to offer and I get to earn a dollar at the same time,” a smiling Blair confided.