OPERATORS of two of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which displayed their wares at a recent roadshow hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce in Clarendon last Thursday have set their sights on making it in overseas markets despite not copping any of the prizes that were on offer.

Shawn Williams, owner and operator of Chef’s Choice Distribution, a micro-enterprise that manufactures powdered seasoning, told the Jamaica Observer that the company, which has already made a name for itself across eight parishes, now wants to see its products in supermarkets, wholesales, and restaurants overseas.

Chef’s Choice Distribution produces a line of turmeric, Indian curry, jerk, all-purpose, and chicken spice seasoning.

According to Williams, the brand, which was established 11 years ago, has already made a name for itself .

“We saw an advertisement for the [ministry’s] pitch competition on social media and decided to enter, and so we did a set-up with the products on display,” said Williams on location at the Juici Empowerment Park in Clarendon.

“Winning the pitch completion would be a launching pad to get to where we want to be. We currently need tools such as a printer and a mixer and most importantly we need a packaging machine, so entering this competition would boost our chances of helping the business to grow,” added Williams.

Unfortunately, the company did not win any of the 10 cash prizes on offer, and Williams said he is looking to re-enter the competition on the next leg of the roadshow, which will be St Elizabeth, having already put into practice what was learnt from the Clarendon attempt.

“We are looking to get into the export market; therefore, we have some hurdles to cross, and I’m hoping that by the end of this year into next year we will be in that position to start exporting products. There are a lot of customers who are looking to purchase a healthy alternative to what is currently being offered on the market and so are looking to tap into that niche” stated Williams, whose company placed third out of 1,170 participants in the National Housing Trust’s Entrepreneurial Challenge in 2013.

It was a similar disappointment for Mahalia Gordon, managing director of MahGord’s, as her company, which also produces seasoning, did not win any of the cash prizes on offer.

But Gordon told the Observer that she did not leave Clarendon empty-handed, as she relished the experience of being in the same space as agencies tasked to grow and develop MSMEs like hers.

“As an entrepreneur, I have plans to grow my business. The expo was insightful and the information and offerings from the agencies will be beneficial,” said Gordon as she indicated that she is also planning to re-enter the competition in St Elizabeth to boost her chances of winning the cash prize to expand the business.

Gordon said she started her line of seasoning after constantly getting sick using the regular products.

“I was experiencing allergic reactions when I was using the conventional seasoning, so I made a blend of the healthy version of what I used to use back then and that is how it all started,” said Gordon.

After 11 years in business, MahGord’s now boasts a line of four products: an all-purpose seasoning, jerk marinade, mango hot sauce, and sorrel chutney.

“It has been a tremendous journey so far. Being in business has taught me so much as a young person and there has been bittersweet moments. It taught me how to be patient, it taught me perseverance and tenacity” shared Gordon.

“At MahGord’s we’re steering into the direction of providing a healthy alternative to what is already out there — the powdered seasoning that’s filled with salt and a high sodium content. We’re putting our unique selling points out there and telling our customers that MahGord’s is the healthiest alternative.

“The support over the years has been tremendous, persons love the brand and the potency of the flavours. Hypertensives and diabetics uses our products, and so in the short term we see ourselves exporting and having our product in Walmart and other big name companies overseas” Gordin added.

She said there are plans in place to introduce more products to the MahGord’s line in short order.