Rhoda Doxa brings the African experience to Guyana
By La’Wanda McAllister
Guyana is a melting pot of diversity and with every passing day, more and more diversity gets added to that pot. Over the years, with our rich history, the diversity of the Guyanese society has only intensified.
Adding to the pot of diversity has been Dr Deborah Oluwadara Kehinde. Being a true lover of branding and with a towering love for her culture, Dr Kehinde, a Guyana-based Nigerian, has brought her experience of Africa to Guyana.
The 27-year-old, who hails from Osun State Nigeria, came to Guyana in 2013, and started her business, “Rhoda Doxa”, just about five years ago. Since then, the female entrepreneur has been claiming her spot in the world of business as a dealer of traditional products. “I misplaced my Nigeria ATM card in Guyana years ago, so I couldn’t access the money in the account till I went back to Nigeria that same year. Also, my mum and godfather gifted me money when I went to Nigeria that same year. The combination of both of them with adding pocket money from my parents, that’s how I started. God has really used my parents to help me along the way,” she said.
In an interview with Sunday Time Magazine, Kehinde said her business markets 100 per cent cotton African print cloth, African sourced shea butter, makeup and skincare products, even beard growth oils for men.
“We deal with everything African. In African fashion we sell authentic African print and design also, raw African black soap, rejuvenating loofah sponge and beard growth oil,” she explained. Other products made or produced by the small business include beauty blenders, concealers, foundation, rugs and lip products. Inspired by her life in Nigeria, the young entrepreneur said when she moved to Guyana seven years ago, she saw the potential to tap into the market. “A lot of Guyanese people, when they hear me talk always ask about Africa – the outfit, food and all that. It just a perfect fit for me. Besides, I love being a serial entrepreneur. I am from Africa and I want people living outside the continent to experience it just as I did growing up,” Kehinde said.
Kehinde said that she started off being a fashion brand that brought African fabric from Nigeria. However, in 2019, she launched her skincare line.
In addition to her fashion line, skincare line, and beauty line, she also sells traditional Ghanaian, Cameroonian, Nigerian and other African dishes, the likes of pounded yam and egusi, eba and okro soup and jollof rice with plantain and chicken.
Processed with MOLDIV
In noting the importance of supporting small businesses, Kehinde said: “It will help the economy to grow faster.
To contact Deborah Kehinde, call +5926521833, visit her website, www.rhodadoxa.com, her Facebook: Rhoda Doxa, Rhoda Doxa African Cuisine, Rhoda Doxa African Skincare & Beauty, Instagram: rhoda.doxa, rhodadoxaafricancuine, rhodadoxabeauty.
Rhoda Doxa is located at A41 Republic Drive, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
Guyana is a melting pot of diversity and with every passing day, more and more diversity gets added to that pot. Over the years, with our rich history, the diversity of the Guyanese society has only intensified.
“I misplaced my Nigeria ATM card in Guyana years ago, so I couldn’t access the money in the account till I went back to Nigeria that same year. Also, my mum and godfather gifted me money when I went to Nigeria that same year. The combination of both of them with adding pocket money from my parents, that’s how I started. God has really used my parents to help me along the way,” she said.
Other products made or produced by the small business include beauty blenders, concealers, foundation, rugs and lip products. Inspired by her life in Nigeria, the young entrepreneur said when she moved to Guyana seven years ago, she saw the potential to tap into the market.
“A lot of Guyanese people, when they hear me talk always ask about Africa – the outfit, food and all that. It just a perfect fit for me. Besides, I love being a serial entrepreneur. I am from Africa and I want people living outside the continent to experience it just as I did growing up,” Kehinde said.
