‘Propa Local Wines’ owner bounced back from unsuccessful t-shirt branding venture

Abigail John, a small business owner of Propa Local Wines m of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, is one who did not let an unsuccessful venture deter her.

An ambitious young woman with strong confidence in her abilities to grow her business, John, of Middle Walk, Buxton, realised that her initial t-shirt business was not doing well.

“After people stopped ordering, I had my uncle’s wines looking at me. I branched off and have my own brand now,” she shared. Abigail sold wines for her uncle during the time she was pursuing her t-shirt branding business.

Instead of deciding to ‘throw in the towel’ five years ago, she thought she would try the wine business herself. And she couldn’t be happier that she did.

Not only had the venture been successful but John proudly highlighted that it is perhaps one of the only wine businesses that is certified by the Guyana Bureau of Standards.

Her advice to any small business owner is not to let the need for capital become overwhelming to them. Once a plan of action is in place, she said, and someone is passionate enough about their business, it will succeed.

“Having capital is the last thing you need. You need to have a plan of action. When I wanted to start my t-shirt business, I had not a cent but I knew what I wanted to do. I used to ride the bicycle villages away just to photocopy to make that extra $20 or $40 until I was able to save and acquire my own stuff,” Abigail expressed.

“So once you have a plan and you are passionate about your business, go full into it and no better way in seeking advice from people who are already in existence. Advice is free and I am here to give it at any time,” she added.

Some of her wines were on display at this year’s Berbice Expo, at Rose Hall, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

“This is my first experience at the Berbice expo and I must say the response has been phenomenal. I’ve been able to connect with other business owners so that I can be able to penetrate the Berbice region and I am very happy that I came here,” John told the News Room in an interview at the expo.

For the expo, Abigail brought out some of her best sellers including Miss Addicted, Mr. Fixxup, and Is We Own.

“Miss Addicted is… a sweet wine, it’s a romantic wine, it sets your mood naturally. If you had a stressful day, this is a wine that relaxes you. Then we have Mr. Fix Up, and Is We Own, which is a jamoon wine; a semi-sweet wine that can be paired with any food.