Stacey Natalie Dos Santos Rahaman is one half of the dynamic husband-and-wife Christa Marketing team promoting Guyana and the best of Guyana online and offline. The company provides full-service online and offline marketing and advertising solutions. It is also the owner of the brand Visit Guyana and publisher of the Visit Guyana and Visit Guyana Lime and Dine Magazines.
“Our objective is to achieve customer goals and to promote Guyana through
creative use of modern marketing tools, media, and technology.”
With more than 100,000 followers on her Visit Guyana Facebook page and the glossy high-end publications and websites aimed at the tourism market, the former Saints girl has built an enviable brand from the ground up.
“I started freelancing when I was pregnant with my first daughter about seven years ago, but officially registered my first business (which was previously called Social Media Guyana in 2012. Visit Guyana the brand many Guyanese would be more familiar with was also started in 2012. My husband and I then joined forces (he does web design) and Chri-sta Marketing (Chris and Stacey) was born and was registered in 2014.”
She said her proudest moment (apart from having her kids) was when she saw and held the very first print edition of the “Visit Guyana: Lime, Dine and Unwind” Magazine.
Questioned on what was next for the business that is making Guyanese feel patriotic and proud of their country, Rahaman, whose passion and steel-in-velvet-glove charm were very much evident in person, said: “Christa Marketing has always been low-key and focused mainly on social media management. We have gotten most of our clients from referrals or word of mouth. We recently expanded our portfolio to include full marketing plan development and execution and it’s been going very, very well. We plan to add new services as are requested by our clients inclusive of training. With respect to our Visit Guyana Brand, we will be releasing our new Restaurant and Food Guide in May. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet, but we are in discussions to do both a Visit Guyana Show and Radio programme.”
While Rahaman’s effervescent personality is very much a part of her success, it is clear she is not afraid to make waves to ensure excellence is achieved.
Her biggest influence, she says, is her mother who raised Rahaman and her brother in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara and Georgetown. “Not only was she an educator for many years, as a single mom she did many other things to supplement her income and educate my brother and I. She stayed up nights to study with us, took us to church every Sunday. She was mom, teacher, nurse, guru, mentor to not only us but to her students as well. I honestly do not know how she managed it all.
Rahaman also draws inspiration from her children. “Kids are naturally curious and always see the good in everyone and the positive in every situation. My kids remind me daily to do both. Stay curious and think positive.”
Asked how she juggles business and family life, the 36-year-old hands-on mother of two responded: “Great question!… I’m still trying to figure it out, lol. On a serious note though, to stay on top of work, chores and ensuring we spend quality family time together requires everyone to pitch in. It’s a team effort. It also takes a lot of pre-planning which means I am a very organised person. I tell people I always have a list in my head.”
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey thus far, Rahaman cited some of the lessons she has learnt: “1) Failure can be an opportunity to learn and improve. 2) Never burn your bridges. 3) It is important to be genuine and humble. 4) Pay success forward. 5) The saying “What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve” is completely true.”
“We have been given both the power to imagine an outcome, and the means to achieve it. I truly believe that our thoughts are powerful and go hand in hand with the kind of vibes we attract into our lives. We have the power through thought and action to harness our desires, wishes and energies, and turn them into reality,” the Georgetown resident declared.
“Nothing comes easy and as cliché as it sounds, it’s true. Prepare to work hard, prepare to make mistakes, prepare for sleepless nights. Keep a list of your goals printed out on your mirror or where you can see them daily and never ever stop learning,” she added in sharing her advice for would-be entrepreneurs.
Rahaman, who says discipline is the most important trait of entrepreneurs, noted that to boost entrepreneurship locally, business mentoring should start from an early age. “I think schools should introduce entrepreneurial programmes which promote and foster entrepreneurial culture which encourage young people to be innovative and creative. Things like how to define your goals, how to do a business plan, ways to get financing. That way our young people will have a mindset along the lines of “How can I create a job” rather than “where can I get a job”. Of course, programmes like these require both Private and Public Sector involvement to become a reality.”
The social-media savvy entrepreneur, whose dream mentor is Barack Obama, noted: “Success to me is being in the position to help others achieve their goals. None of us become a success without the help or influence of others and it’s important that we pay it forward.”
Contact: 678-4992/225-8816; [email protected]
