Meet The Makers, Dreamers & Entrepreneurs Of The Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace
Throughout the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Forum, much of the conversation centred on investment, innovation and building Grenada’s future. Just a short walk from the conference hall, that vision appeared to already be taking shape.
The marketplace showcased entrepreneurs from across Grenada, each offering a different glimpse into the ingenuity and ambition driving the island’s growing business community. Together, they reflected many of the same themes being discussed inside the Diaspora Homecoming Forum-that Grenada’s future will be shaped not only by national policy, but by the people building businesses, creating jobs and turning ideas into opportunity.
While the products on display attracted plenty of attention, it was the conversations with the entrepreneurs themselves that revealed the real value of the marketplace.
As I made my way from booth to booth, one conversation led naturally to the next, each revealing a different journey into entrepreneurship. Some businesses had been built on generations of family tradition, while others had grown from a personal passion, an untapped opportunity or the determination to solve a problem. Over the course of the forum, I sat down with several of these entrepreneurs to learn more about the people behind the brands and the businesses helping to shape Grenada’s entrepreneurial landscape.
ISLAND DELECTABLES
One of the entrepreneurs I met was Marissa, founder of Island Delectables, a six-year-old agro-processing business built around one simple idea: turning Grenada’s fresh produce and spices into products that capture the island’s unmistakable flavours.
Her display featured an assortment of hot sauces and green seasonings, but it was the Mango Rush hot sauce that quickly caught my attention. Made with locally grown Grenadian mangoes and infused with the island’s signature spices, it has become one of the brand’s most popular products and is already stocked in supermarkets across Grenada. Sweet, fruity and finished with just the right amount of heat, it perfectly showcases how familiar local ingredients can be transformed into products with broader commercial appeal.
For Marissa, however, creating a quality product is only part of the journey.
“The biggest challenge,” she explained, “is packaging.”
While packaging materials are available, she said the cost of bottles, labels and other finishing touches can quickly add up, making it one of the biggest expenses for a small agro-processing business.
“I go with aesthetics,” she said. “Everything for me is ensuring that when somebody gets the product that it’s valuable and I create an experience.”
Despite those challenges, Marissa believes initiatives like the Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace create valuable opportunities for small businesses to connect with new customers beyond Grenada’s shores.
“It gives me the exposure to connect with more people in the diaspora,” she said. “I’ve met so many people, shared my information and the support has been great.”
As proud as she is of what Island Delectables has built over the past six years, Marissa believes the next challenge is not creating demand, but getting Grenadian products to customers beyond the island.
“A lot of the time you hear the conversation about exporting and connecting with people in the diaspora,” she said. “But if somebody comes to us and says they want 25, 30 or 50 cases of your product, what are the logistics that make that possible at an affordable rate?”
For Marissa, improving export logistics is only part of the solution. She also believes Grenada has an opportunity to better position some of its best-known agricultural products-including nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa-as premium exports capable of commanding greater recognition on the international market.
LIGHTEN D MOOD
For Becky Alexander, founder of Lighten D Mood, what started as a candle-making venture has grown into a brand that stands out for its imaginative designs and distinctive fragrances. Among her collection are candles shaped like desserts-including ice cream and cheesecake-alongside an array of scents ranging from chocolate and lemongrass to locally inspired fragrances such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
“My customers love my fragrances,” Becky said. “They’re always wowed by how strong the scent is and how long it lasts. The designs are also something that really stands out.”
Now in business for just over two years, Becky has focused on creating products that blend eye-catching presentation with fragrances that leave a lasting impression.
Innovation, however, extends beyond candles.
Also featured at her booth was Spice Trivia, which Becky describes as Grenada’s first-ever trivia card game celebrating the island’s culture and heritage. Designed for families, the game includes 90 question cards covering Grenadian history, sports, culture, food and spices, encouraging players to learn more about the island while having fun together.
Like many small business owners, Becky says one of her biggest challenges lies behind the scenes.
Many of the specialised materials used for her products-including packaging and branding supplies-must be sourced overseas, adding significant costs before a product even reaches the customer.
“Importing some of my materials has been one of my biggest challenges,” she explained. “Some of the things we need aren’t available locally, and the duties can make a big difference.”
Despite those challenges, Becky believes the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace provides an invaluable platform for entrepreneurs to showcase the depth of local talent while reconnecting with Grenadians living abroad.
“I think it’s a great initiative,” she said. “It gives our diaspora the opportunity to come back, reconnect and see the creativity that exists here in Grenada.”
Walking through the marketplace herself, Becky admitted she was equally impressed by the range of businesses on display.
“You really get to see the artistry and creativity of Grenadians,” she said. “The quality, the ideas and the innovation on display have been very impressive.”
EARTHLY CREATIONS
Hillary Gabriel, founder of Earthly Creations, has spent the last eight years building her small business around locally inspired products, from carefully packaged spice gift sets and handmade crochet earrings to scented candles, soaps and body oils infused with fragrances that reflect the island’s natural beauty.
One of her most popular offerings is a range of compact spice packs, thoughtfully designed with travellers in mind.
“I focus on the spice bags,” Hillary explained. “I package them for travelling because these days you have the weight restrictions.”
It is a simple idea, but one that allows visitors to take a taste of Grenada home without sacrificing precious suitcase space.
Like many entrepreneurs in the marketplace, Hillary relies heavily on local materials wherever possible. However, sourcing specialised supplies remains one of the realities of running a small manufacturing business on the island.
“We have a challenge in Grenada getting some of the materials that we use,” she said. “But we make do with what we have.”
After eight years in business, Hillary believes the next stage of growth will come through embracing technology and expanding her reach.
She recently completed a digital transformation programme through an ICT initiative and is preparing to launch her first website. She is also participating in new business development programmes through the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce, opportunities she hopes will help take Earthly Creations to the next level.
For Hillary, the Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace has also become an important opportunity to reconnect Grenadians abroad with products that reflect how much the island’s entrepreneurial landscape has evolved.
“When many Grenadians in the diaspora left, some of the items we have on display today didn’t exist,” she said. “Now they’re coming back and seeing all these products. They can tell their friends and bring them back.”
While she hopes the Homecoming initiative continues for years to come, she believes its long-term success will depend on keeping the programme fresh and giving visitors new reasons to return.
“I do hope that we continue with this diaspora initiative,” she said, “but structure it in a way that people don’t get tired of it.”
Ultimately, Hillary’s dream extends beyond growing her own business.
“My dream for Grenada is for us to continue working together to build a much safer and much more beautiful Grenada.”
ROGER BYER, AUTHOR
Among the exhibitors was Roger Byer, an author whose work explores both Grenada’s past and his own extraordinary journey beyond its shores.
On display were two of his books. Tattooed Memories chronicles his experiences serving in the United States Army in Vietnam and Cambodia, offering readers the uncommon perspective of a Grenadian who found himself at the centre of one of history’s defining conflicts.
“It’s not just about a soldier in Vietnam,” Byer explained. “It’s about a soldier from a small Caribbean island—and how I got there.”
His second book, Granny’s Pathway, brings the story much closer to home. A collection of short stories inspired by his childhood in Grenada, the book captures memories of a St. George’s that has changed dramatically over the years.
“Fifteen stories, ten are real and five are fictional,” he said. “It represents a St. George’s that has changed a lot. Many of the things that were there then are now gone.”
But Byer’s contribution extends beyond his own writing.
Recognising that many Grenadian authors struggle to find opportunities to promote and distribute their work, he joined fellow writers in establishing the Grenadian Published Authors Collective, an organisation dedicated to showcasing locally published books and supporting authors across the island.
“Over the years, Grenadians have written books that end up sitting on a shelf somewhere because they don’t know what to do next,” he explained. “We wanted to create a platform where authors could come together and put their work in front of people.”
The collective now regularly participates in events such as the Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace, giving readers access to a growing collection of Grenadian literature spanning biographies, children’s books, history and fiction.
Byer also welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that Grenadian history will become a mandatory part of the national school curriculum, describing it as an important step towards helping young people better understand their identity.
“We need to have our own heroes,” he said. “When our children go to school, they need people they can identify with, not somebody from another country.”
For Byer, independence is about far more than national symbols.
“It’s not just pulling up a flag,” he said. “It’s running your own affairs.”
For him, preserving Grenada’s stories-and ensuring future generations have the opportunity to read them-is one way of helping to do exactly that.
BELLE LOUNGE SPA
For Tracy Victor founder of Belle Lounge Spa, the goal has always been to help people feel their best-whether they walk through the doors of her spa or take a little of the experience home with them.
Now in business for three years, the St. George’s-based entrepreneur has steadily expanded her brand beyond traditional spa services to include a growing line of handcrafted body care products. At the marketplace, Tracy showcased an assortment of body butters, scrubs, body oils and gift sets, alongside one of her newest offerings-a “Make Your Own Body Oil” experience.
Designed for baby showers, bridal showers and corporate events, the concept allows participants to blend their own fragrances and carrier oils to create a personalised body oil.
“It’s something different,” Tracy explained. “You choose your scent, your carrier oil and create your own body oil that’s perfect for you.”
Her product line also includes a specialised heel therapy treatment made with lemongrass and tea tree oil, developed to help restore moisture to dry, cracked feet-a reflection of her commitment to combining relaxation with practical self-care.
While Milan Spa is best known for services such as facials, manicures, pedicures and waxing, Tracy sees the retail collection as another way of extending the business beyond the treatment room and introducing customers to the brand in new ways.
For Tracy, participating in the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace was about more than showcasing her products.
“It’s a very good initiative,” she said. “It brings all our vendors together. We support each other, and it gives us the opportunity to showcase what we do to a wider audience, not just the Grenadian community.”
As Grenada continues to promote local entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace, businesses such as Milan Spa demonstrate that the island’s entrepreneurial landscape extends well beyond traditional products, embracing wellness, creativity and experiences designed with both residents and visitors in mind.
JEMZ CREATIONS
One of the younger entrepreneurs I met was Jamila Theodore, whose handcrafted creations demonstrate how creativity can be transformed into a business.
Her booth featured an assortment of handmade floral arrangements, embroidered pieces and beaded accessories, each carefully crafted by hand. What began as a personal hobby has gradually grown into a small business, with exhibitions and craft markets providing opportunities to introduce her work to a wider audience.
“I started making them just as something to do,” Jamila explained. “Then I started exhibiting here and there, and that’s how I began getting more opportunities.”
Like many of the entrepreneurs participating in the marketplace, Jamila says one of her greatest challenges is the cost of doing business.
Many of the materials needed to create her products must be imported, and she believes high import duties place additional pressure on small businesses trying to grow.
“The biggest challenge is definitely imported goods,” she said. “A lot of my materials have to be imported, and the duties are very high. It also makes it difficult for small businesses to get concessions.”
For Jamila, initiatives such as the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace provide more than just an opportunity to sell her work. They also create valuable connections with potential customers and supporters, particularly among members of the Grenadian diaspora.
“It’s a really good opportunity,” she said. “I’ve made contact with different people, and it’s been really good.”
Looking ahead, Jamila hopes to see continued investment in the country’s development, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and education, creating an environment where young entrepreneurs can continue to grow their businesses and contribute to Grenada’s future.
The entrepreneurs featured here represent only a handful of the businesses that have transformed the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming Marketplace into one of the event’s highlights. I’ll be sharing more of their stories in the days ahead, but I couldn’t leave without encouraging you to experience the marketplace for yourself.
After all, that’s what Your Caribbean Guide is all about-helping you discover the people, places and products that make our region so special. If you’re in Grenada, take some time to wander through the booths, meet the entrepreneurs, hear the passion behind their businesses and discover some of the finest locally made products the Spice Isle has to offer.
Every purchase supports a local dream, and every conversation offers a reminder that Grenada’s future is being built not only through big ideas discussed inside the forum, but through the determination and creativity of the people bringing those ideas to life.
