The story behind the product….

Terence Messado told Thursday Lifet hat…his passion for making pastry can be traced to his childhood: “I would watch and assist my mother Audrey, as she made treats for evening desserts. This was a tradition passed down from my great-grandmother Avis, with whom I would spend many summers, and I saw first-hand the reaction of people when she handed out free treats as part of her community outreach. I remember telling my mother upon my return home that I wanted to have my own bakery so that we would never run out of bread and pastry.”

Reggae Carmella was birthed during…

dinner on Valentine’s night last year (February 14, 2015). We were contemplating a new and local business to promote Jamaican snacks.

The word Caramella is… Italian and means candy. We got the name from Carone’s sister. We went through a series of names and knew that the word Reggae would have to be a part of it. Hence, Reggae Carmella.

We hit the ground running… as soon as we conceptualised the idea. We spent the first two months developing the visual presentation of the product, three months working on the name, and six months trying to source local suppliers to produce the bite-size treats in a convenient Grab ‘n Go Bag.

Our first breakthrough came when…

We made a preliminary presentation to JAMPRO, who ordered 15 boxes for a diplomatic trip to Japan.

Our focus was on export…

When we first started, our target market was the diaspora. After conducting market research, however, we realised that we also needed to supply the local market. Our Grab N’ Go Bag was the perfect vehicle for our local consumers.

We have started shipping, but in small quantities, because we are still in the product development stage. We are working to extend the shelf life of some of the products.

We moved from Signature Gift Boxes to snack-size packages when…

We realised that there was a need for a variety pack with most of the favourite snacks conveniently packaged.

Each box contains 28 pieces

Each bag contains 8 pieces

Ours is a successful product for several reasons:

• The snacks we have packaged are Jamaican favourites both here and abroad.

• We have over 2.6 million Jamaicans living abroad, who are yearning for a taste of Jamaica, and we have now made it convenient for them to indulge in their childhood snacks

• We have also developed a package that is appealing to our target audience

• Our price point is very competitive and affordable

Jamaicans should support our product because…

We are building and maintaining a legacy that was passed down to us by our foreparents, we are a 100% Jamaican-owned company that is providing employment to Jamaicans and using natural resources we have on the island.

If we knew then what we know now…

We would have taken the time to set up and to have full control of the overall production, which we now have.

As a family of five our favourite snacks are…

Carone, tamarind balls and coconut drops

Terence, ginger and pepper-roasted peanuts and peanut drops

Serrano (17 years old), gizzada

Jonathan (13 years old), peanut drops

David (9 years old), tamarind balls

Support this enterprising duo by purchasing their products and spreading the word

Where can the products be found…

Available at:

• MegaMart, Waterloo

• Monarch Pharmacies

• Fontana Pharmacy, Barbican

• Sovereign Supermarket

• Things Jamaica, Devon House

• Fantasy Confectionery & Fantasy Grab & Go, Norman Manley Int’l Airport

• Loshusan Supermarket, Barbican

• Woolworth New Kingston Shopping Centre

• Johnson’s Petroleum, Beechwood Ave.

• General Foods, Liguanea

• Liguanea Drug & Garden

• Discount Center & Pharmacy

• The Teapot, Sovereign Centre

• Total Bonjour, Shortwood Road

• Liguanea Lane Pharmacy

• Jamaica Pegasus Gift Shop

• Barbican Texaco