COVID Chronicles: Doing Business Under COVID
Tonight our new series, the COVID Chronicles continues. This week, reporter Paul Lopez went in search of some enterprising entrepreneurs who have had to make some major adjustments in the way they work and do business in Belize. But, the people you will meet tonight have all found success and have advice for others who are trying to find their own inspiration among the COVID chaos.
Deneel Martinez, Owner, D’ Barbershop
“It was always my dream or my goal to open my own business.”
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Deneel Martinez launched D’ Barbershop two months ago as many business were struggling to stay afloat. But he is not doing it alone.
Delon Gentle
Delon Gentle, Owner, Print Flex
“T-shirt printing, coffee mugs, license plate, phone case, mouse pad.”
Ainsley Castro Jr., Owner, Fashion Magnet
“I do pre-ordering for people here in the city that need, whether it be tennis, clothes, vehicle parts, whatever it is, appliances, household items, I bring it in for people at a reasonable price and at a good time frame.”
Deneel Martinez
“As a young entrepreneur, I decided to hear what, in these times people needs jobs. And, that is what Belize is limited of.”
Ainsley Castro
Delon Gentle also works for the Belize Fire Department, so as a public officer, he recently took a government-mandated ten percent pay cut.
Delon Gentle
“You got to do something to make up back, something on the side, because this wah de round for a long time. You have to do something fuh mek up back, some business or something.”
To navigate the trying times of covid-19 caused by restrictions on limited movement and social gathering, many business people all over the world have has increased their commercial presence on social media. Businesses like D’ Barbershop must learn to adapt to this new wave.
Deneel Martinez
Deneel Martinez
“I won’t lie, during the COVID, the services when it comes to customer-wise is slowly but surely. In my mentality, I always have this feedback that giving up is not my option. Like I always have meetings with my employees, advertising is the biggest way to get costumers known to the shop.”
It is a space where Deneel can continue to perfect his barbering craft, Gentle can bridge that pay cut, and Castro can continue to pursue his goal of remaining self employed.
Ainsley Castro Jr.
“I love it because it gives me joy. I am a self employed person. And from I was little, I decided not to work for anyone, to be a young entrepreneur. And as the time goes by, I learn from my mistakes and I accomplish what I dream for day by day.”
From looking good, our next story takes us to M.Y. Bites, a fast food business owned and operated by Marvin Sanchez and Yesenia Pott. In the midst of the pandemic, this couple left their jobs and partnered to start this venture. They began with selling cheesy fries to family and friends, from their home kitchen. Months later, they now own their own shop.
Yesenia Pott
Yesenia Pott, Owner, M.Y. Bites
“Because of COVID we had to think of a better way to earn an income to help the family and all of that. It wasn’t a dream, but if it something you can do and you are very good at, then that is what we did.”
Marvin was working at a local bike shop when his hours were reduced. This freed up some time for him to help Yesenia in the kitchen.
Marvin Sanchez
Marvin Sanchez, Owner, M.Y. Bites
“After work, I use to come here and cook and sell, in the evening. But, after the business opened back I just decided to just come here and open a business in full time.”
Their outdoor dining space is equipped with wooden seats and tables, enough space to fit a couple of small families. But, if dining out does not fit your busy schedule, you can call and order from their diverse menu, either for pickup or delivery. Like so many other entrepreneurs, this couple has had to learn the importance of navigating the social media space.
Yesenia Pott
“We post on a daily. We have a Facebook page. We post every day, in the morning and in the evening. And most of our customers are online, because we do a lot of delivery and some of our customers come and pickup. So it is very important. It has helped us a lot during this time.”
One global survey revealed that the social media app tiktok was used by nearly seven hundred million people monthly in 2021, compared to five hundred million in 2019. Naturally Belizean, an online clothing and apparel store, has taken advantage of this growing trend.
Shatefa Garbutt
Shatefa Garbutt, Owner and Founder, Naturally Belizean
“The app that bounced a lot last year was tiktok. Everyone is on tiktok. So, I was like ok, I don’t see much business from Belize on tiktok. So, I decided to create a business account on tiktok, and that blew up. At one point, during this year, majority of my orders came from tiktok. I was surprised about that. I was like; ok tiktok is doing its thing.”
With the increase of online traffic, Shatefa was also challenged to create the Naturally Belizean website. She now directs traffic to the website, where potential clients can view her catalog, fill their carts, make payments and set up deliveries.
Shatefa Garbutt
“The most challenging part for me with the social media presence, I had to be out there on social media, instead of just posting items to sell, I had to physically put myself out there and be like, this is my business, this is what I offer and stuff like that. Instead of being behind the camera like I was, I am in front of it now.”
Naturally Belizean was not spared from the dip in sales many businesses experienced at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic. But she was able to leverage the feedback of her social media followers to create products they wanted.
Shatefa Garbutt
“Businesses definitely need to jump on having their platforms on social media, having their site, and everything. It is much needed.”
With the emergence of new COVID variants, countries across the world are battling new waves of infections, while concerns for the stability of local economies remains at the fore. These business owners, however, have all found a piece of silver lining in this global dark cloud.
Deneel Martinez
“The way how my mom raised me, Tanya Gentle, whatever you want in life you go for it. No COVID, no nothing supposed to stop you to whatever goals you want to achieve in life.”
Marvin Sanchez
“In a way, COVID is a blessing, and in a way it is not. For us I believe it is something good. At the beginning we were afraid of change. But, we had to step up and just try to be brave. It is really hard for a lot of people. But I just want to tell them to try it, you never know what will happen.”
Shatefa Garbutt
“The advice I always give those potential business owners and my fellow Belizeans is that, if you do not take the risk you already lost. You have to take the risk, and you shouldn’t be afraid of it.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
