Cream of the crop

One week after their impressive victory in the Emerging Entrepreneurs category of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s 2016 Champions of Business Award ceremony, the duo, known to the corporate world as d’Market Movers, are basking in the afterglow of their success. And with good reason.

Renie said the Barataria- based company, established seven years ago, has grown exponentially since they received the prestigious award.

They are grateful for the support and encouragement of their faithful cheerleaders whom, they believe, played a monumental role in their victory.

“We have had an influx of new online customers which we are very grateful for as well as interest from other businesses who would like to use us to help distribute their brands through our online sales platform and tap into new market segments,” an excited Renie told Newsday.

Renie said they also intend to use the victory to propel their mission of becoming a leader in both agri-business and e-Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the region.

Also in the pipeline for the Barataria-based company, she said, are plans to take their Farm & Function, Frozen Fruit brand across a global market. One of three entrepreneurs short-listed for the prestigious award in last Saturday night’s gala function at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s, d’Market Movers came up against some stiff competition in their category. Cocobel Chocolate Limited, founded by Isabel Brash, became a force to be reckoned with in the industry after just seven years in business while the designing company, Anya Ayoung Chee Limited, led by the former 2008 Miss TT Universe contestant and winner of the US television show Project Runway, remains a major player on the fashion circuit.

Renie admitted they were somewhat daunted by their challengers.

Asked what they felt accounted for their victory, she initially joked, “Our winning personalities, maybe.” On a serious note, though, Renie surmised that the innovativeness of the service they offered led to their success.

“We feel that our ser- vice impacts and enhances the lives of all our clients in a positive way and that definitely shone through. The level of innovation within our service and how we communicate with our customers was a major strong point.” She said, too, that the duo’s background and journey into business, resonated with many people.

“I think many people could identify with our story of taking that leap into the unknown without a large deal of backing,” Renie said.

Pioneers in their own right, Renie and Thomas were employees at a commercial bank when they decided to venture into business, seven years ago.

Observing that their colleagues were often too bogged down with work to search for the fresh products they yearned for on a daily basis, the young duo began taking orders at their office for fresh fish and seasonings, which were sourced mostly from Thomas’ hometown in Las Cuevas and Renie’s family green house in Piarco. Thomas and Renie also had shared a love for food and cooking with fresh ingredients - a passion which wowed their clients.