Primed for Success Volume 3

Homegrown Fiery Sensation

Caribbean islands are known for having a harmless but heated rivalry over the production of hot sauce. The diverse condiment, often called pepper sauce, can range from a chutney-like mash to a smooth, liquid fire, depending on each island’s tastes and traditions. In Belize, Marie Sharp is synonymous with the fiery sauce, and with over 30 years in business, she is considered a homegrown sensation.

Before starting her company, Marie worked as an executive within the financial sector. In her spare time, she grew and sold peppers from her farm to a local distributor. However, what started as a hobby, quickly blossomed into something more. “This company really happened by chance”, shared Marie. “I was supplying more than the buyer needed, so I decided to start making a pepper mash with the surplus.” By 1981 Marie’s home creations had become so popular that she decided to turn the operation into an enterprise, and with the help of family and friends Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Limited was established. The company now employs 25 people and manufactures an assortment of habanero pepper sauces, tropical jams and jellies, seasoning, and fruit squashes for the local and international markets. Marie Sharp’s major customers are in Japan and the United States. The company also exports to China, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, India, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South America. Marie believes the reason for her export success lies in the secret of the sauce itself. “I never really created an export strategy for my company, most of my clients are customers who came to Belize as tourists and tasted my products. If they liked it, they would take back a few samples with them and from there the orders would start coming in.” Even though the family-owned business has tasted immense success over the years, Marie recounts that in the beginning it was difficult to maintain her venture. “Financing was a major challenge as the interest rates in Belize were very high, some times as much as 16%.

Another factor was the fact that I was not prepared to go into business for myself. For nearly two decades, I was the chief, cook and bottle washer, so there was a tremendous strain.” Despite these challenges, the sharp businesswoman used every available opportunity to receive training and certification in areas that would help enhance the capacity of her company. “I had the opportunity to attend training in Good Manufacturing Practices, export marketing, intellectual property rights and proposal writing to name a few.” Some of the training received was delivered or supported by the Caribbean Export Development Agency. Marie declared that she has had a long history of working with the Agency, but in recent times she has actively sought a more engaging relationship. In 2013, Marie Sharp’s was one of 11 regional agro- processing firms selected to showcase as a part of the Caribbean Kitchen contingent to ANUGA. Held in Cologne, Germany the trade show brought together some of the world’s best in food and beverage to exhibit, with the aim of securing first-rate contracts and business deals. During the event, Marie won a Taste 13 award for her fresh fruit Habanero Sauce. “ANUGA is the world’s largest food show, and it was very busy. I think our product was picked for its distinctiveness because it is fruit flavored habanera. The products were also showcased at the entrance of the show grounds, so some buyers went there first to see what unique products were listed and then they came around to taste and try.” A number of patrons showed interest in her sauce, which resulted in orders being placed and completed for a buyer from Kuwait and Canada. Marie Sharp’s is also in negotiations with clients in Dubai and Ireland.

Primed for Success / Vol. 3 / 2014-2015

www.carib-export.com

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