SINGLE MOM OF TWO STIRS UP AN ‘EROTIC’ FUSION OF TASTE IN BERBICE

Dec 11, 2022 News

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By Malisa Playter-Harry

Kaieteur News – Sumptuous, delectable, sweet and savoury treats that cause your taste buds to explode is what comes to mind when you hear of ‘Food Erotica’. Be sure to go and savour those yummy bites and delightful treats created in the kitchen of New Amsterdam, Berbice mom of two, Najuma Toolsie.

At 30-years-old, Toolsie has been creating quite the stir in the taste buds of Berbicians and beyond.

Officially established in June 2019, ‘Food Erotica’ has become one of the many successful female-owned businesses in Region 6, and caters for everyone. Toolsie, who juggles another job and being a mom to her two amazing children, ages 2 and 9 decided to turn her culinary love and passion into a thriving food business. Offering a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options, Toolsie with the assistance of the staff also caters for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. There are also weekend snack packs and the popular “Donut Wednesday”. The cuisine at ‘Food Erotica’ will have you begging for more!

The motivated businesswoman noted that while she does not yet have a food outlet per se, she operates from home quite successfully. Nevertheless, as the demand for her products increases especially within the past year, she is now is seriously considering opening an outlet in New Amsterdam very soon.

Najuma said that besides it being her passion, she also thought that having additional income coming into the home would make life so much more comfortable for her and her little family. With every delicious product she makes, she pours her heart and resources into it.

“I love the time and love I put into making my items. I do not “skimp” as we the Guyanese would say, on my ingredients, which makes my end product tasty as always.”

She added that many of her ingredients are purchased in various supermarkets and shops, and she looks for the best prices. She said while some of the products may take a few minutes to complete, others could take hours, but in the end, the result is remarkable and the customer satisfaction derived at the end of her work motivates her even more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of her business taking a hit, it actually took off!

“I’ve had more sales and I kept receiving messages and orders from more customers, as time went by during that period. I can safely say, I had more sales during the pandemic.”

It hasn’t always been an easy road for this Berbice ‘superwoman’, but for her, it was just another hurdle she knew she could overcome, “I am a fighter, I don’t give up” she said proudly, and noted that as long as there is a goal, she will most definitely achieve it.

According to Toolsie, one of her major challenges is her competition. Especially with more new businesses emerging that offer the same products and services she said. She reminds herself that she has a viable product that is of superlative quality, as well as her own customers and her products speak for themselves.  It helps her to remain consistent, and has helped her to gain more customers.

Najuma said in another 5 years, she envisions herself managing her restaurant with a wider variety of delicious food. Since starting her business she said it has helped her to grow exponentially as an individual in many ways.

“I’m now better able to plan and execute certain tasks with a budget. Before, it was extremely hard for me to work with a budget. It has also helped me to save more and also to skip past my wants and focus on what I need,” she said.

Najuma also mentioned that she secured a booth at this year’s Berbice Expo and Trade Fair that was held at the Albion Sports Complex in October. She added that it was a momentous success since she participated all four nights and was sold out every night. The Berbice Expo provided an excellent platform for her to showcase her business. Since then, she has been doing more outdoor events that have all been successful. Moving forward, she intends to do more of those types of events in the coming year.

She also said that while friends and family promote your business via social media, she believes that there should be an avenue where small businesses can be promoted on government television and radio stations at no cost to the upcoming business owners. She also wants to see more training provided to persons venturing into business, so that they can function effectively and provide even greater service to their customers.

Her advice to those venturing into business is “to be strong” in the sense that one must be able to understand that there will be days when you won’t make as much as you expected.

“But the key here is to be consistent and it will all pay off. Also, I would advise keeping close to people who would motivate and support you in any form, even if it’s by sharing your fliers or by telling a friend. You need people around you who would always see the best in you and the best in what u do.”

You can find Najuma’s business on Instagram as ‘Food Erotica’ or you can make contact her to order your treats on her cell phone number 675-5695. The Waterfalls wishes Najuma Toolsie greater success in her business endeavours as the New Year approaches.

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