The Small Businessman Victor carves cups, ash trays, bowls

(As part of observances for its 30th anniversary, Stabroek News will be reproducing snippets from its earlier years on page four of each day’s newspaper.) FATE and the advantages of being self-employed were the two main reasons for a Georgetown businessman becoming fully involved with a thriving small business.

Victor Gittens of Independence Boulevard, La Penitence, presently owns a wood craft business that manufactures a variety of small items. He explained that his uncle, who had owned the business which was then located in Smythe Street, and with whom he used to work, died in 1987 and he inherited the business. However, he suffered a slight setback then when he was ordered by the landlord to close his operation and move out. He did, and today operates out of Independence Boulevard.

The 52-year old divorcee said among the numerous items he carves are egg cups, bitter cups, ash trays, candle holders, powder bowls, fruit bowls and coasters. Before he started out with his late uncle some years ago, Victor said he used to earn a living by knitting polythene Victor at work on one of his products.

bags.

This business crumbled when these types of bags went out of fashion. For some time also, he was a serviceman on a government-owned dragline excavator.

Like any other business, “things do not always run smooth,” according to

Victor. There are some problems, with the biggest one being the frequent power outages which affect production as most of the items are carved on machines. Manual labour is required to put on the finishing touches. However, he hopes to acquire a generating set to alleviate this problem.

When he had started his business after his uncle’s death, Victor disclosed, he was in need of funds to purchase raw materials. Around the same time, a friend of his popped along and Victor was told about the Institute of Small Enterprise Development (ISED) after he had explained his predicament to him.

Within a few weeks, he received his first loan. The small businessman, whose business has expanded over the years, is presently servicing his third loan from the institution. He plans further expansion with the ISED’s assistance.

What about marketing? Most of his products are sold to prominent stores in Georgetown which include Guyana Stores, Margarita’s Gift Shop, Creations Craft and Guyana Crafts Limited.

In addition to his expansion plans, Victor also hopes to acquire his own house in the near future. “with my own home, I would be able to do better in my business.”