Berbice Expo showcases grassroots innovation

…as small business owners blend tradition, family and passion

By Andrew Carmichael

The 2025 Berbice Expo has once again proven to be a hub of creativity and inspiration, shining a spotlight on local entrepreneurs who continue to transform home-grown ideas into thriving small businesses. Among the many exhibitors at this year’s event were Rowena Khan of Countryside Flavor, Alison Gillard of Alison’s Hair and Skincare Products, Dawn Edwards-Dickson of Dex Seasoning Products, and Kishar Ramjattan of Richard’s Local Made — each with a unique story of resilience, innovation, and the drive to succeed against the odds.

A family recipe becomes a community brand — Countryside Flavor
For Rowena Khan, the business of coconut oil, lime sour, and pepper sauce is more than just an enterprise – it is a continuation of family heritage. Khan explained that the products offered under Countryside Flavor originated from her husband’s grandmother’s recipes, passed down through generations. “It was my husband’s idea. The lime sour was his grandmother’s, then his mother continued it, and now we’ve built it into something of our own,” Khan said. The business, based on the West Bank of Berbice (WBB), also produces local honey, flour, and plants. Khan proudly sources most of her raw materials from local markets, ensuring that her products remain truly, “home-grown and community-based.” Her booth at the Expo featured neatly bottled oils and sauces that caught the attention of many visitors, all eager to taste the blend of tradition and freshness that Countryside Flavor represents.

Turning a child’s diagnosis into a national skincare brand
For Alison Gillard, her thriving brand, Alison’s Hair and Skincare Products, was born out of a deeply personal journey. “It all started when my first son was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, which pushed my husband and me to start experimenting with natural ingredients for his skin, and that’s how the business began,” Gillard shared with this publication.” Today, Alison’s products — ranging from coffee, neem, noni, turmeric and charcoal soaps, to body scrubs, lip balms, and facial treatments, have become well-known for their effectiveness and organic feel. “At Alison’s Hair and Skincare Products, we cover from the head to the toes. If you have sunburn, acne, dark marks, or hyperpigmentation, we have something for you,” she said with a smile.
The brand has grown beyond Berbice, now serving customers in Georgetown through the Guyana Shop, while handling local deliveries personally.
“The support here at the Berbice Expo has been amazing. The turnout, the feedback, it shows how much people appreciate local, natural products,” Gillard said.

Dex Seasoning: Adding spice and quality to every meal
From mango achar to fish dips and pepper sauces, Dawn Edwards-Dickson, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dex Seasoning Products, has been redefining the local seasoning market. Her products, she explained, are not just about flavour but about quality and consistency.
“We want people to get more out of their meals than just taste. We focus on aroma, texture, and the right balance of ingredients,” Edwards-Dickson said.
Dex Seasoning currently produces a wide range of items, including green seasoning with variations of onion, garlic, pepper and ginger, as well as mustard oil, tamarind balls, sugar cake, and other traditional treats. Though officially registered just over two years ago, the company has grown quickly, with products now stocked in 11 supermarkets nationwide, including Real Value, Raps Variety, Fresh Cool, and major outlets in Linden and on the West Coast Demerara (WCD).
“It’s been a journey with no regret. We’re proud of our growth, and we’re looking forward to even more supermarket shelves carrying our brand,” Edwards-Dickson added.

From honey to crab oil — Richard’s Local Made expands its reach
Perhaps one of the most passionate voices at the Expo was Kishar Ramjattan, owner of Richard’s Local Made and Richard’s Hobby Centre. Starting in 2018, with a small honey business, Ramjattan has since expanded into crab oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and other natural products, sourced from various parts of Guyana. “The honey comes from Nappi Village in Region Nine, the crab oil from Region Five, and the castor oil from Pomeroon. So it’s really three regions coming together in one product line,” he explained.
Ramjattan, who often travels to expositions across the country, said that small business owners like himself continue to face steep financial and logistical challenges, particularly with financing, transport, and export certification. “The cost to meet export standards can go into millions. We need real support, not just training, so that small producers can upgrade facilities to meet international requirements.” Despite these hurdles, he credited the Small Business Bureau (SBB) for partially covering costs to participate in expos like Berbice, noting that such exposure helps local businesses gain visibility and connect with customers.
“When people see us beside big companies, it shows that small businesses are just as capable. We just need a fair chance to grow,” Ramjattan said.

Innovation grounded in tradition
What tied these four entrepreneurs together at the Expo was not only their creativity but their deep connection to culture, family, and community. Their products, from coconut oil and green seasoning to herbal soap and natural honey, represent the best of Berbice’s entrepreneurial spirit: innovative, authentic, and proudly local.
As the Berbice Expo 2025 came to a close, these exhibitors stood as living proof that small businesses, with the right support and visibility, can become powerful engines of economic growth. “This is what the Berbice Expo is all about… Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, right here in our own backyard,” said one visitor.
This year, Berbice Expo is being held at the Welfare Community Centre Ground in East Canje. The four-day exposition opened on Friday and closes this evening.
It is being held under the theme, “Harnessing New Wealth: Modernising Traditional Sectors for Sustainable Economic Development”.