Primed for Success Volume 3

Tan Bun Skrati’s first interaction with the Agency came in 2013 when they participated in the Brand Development and Packaging workshop. The initiative was developed in partnership with internationally recognized Brand42, and sought to provide regional firms with a better understanding of the roles that branding and packaging play in developing a successful enterprise, as well as introduce participants to various concepts and tools, that will aid in improving their company’s image and appeal for their products. “The training helped us to think more about our brand and how we present our products to customers. Following the workshop we also received a grant from Caribbean Export to improve our packaging design and branding elements. We also get to work with Brand42 as we develop this aspect of our business.” Rutger credits Caribbean Export as having better equipped Tan Bun Skrati to enter new markets, adding that the company’s business profile and brand is now more visible. “We are seeing greater revenue and our company has significantly grown following the assistance we have received from the Agency. We also have a better understanding of intellectual property and the steps we need to take to protect our brand and product.” It’s Ellen’s dream to see the cacao industry become more recognised in the Caribbean food industry, not only because of its health properties, but also because of the rich history that producers can share with their customers about the plant. “Unfortnuately, not enough information about the history of cacao is documented in Suriname and it can become lost if we don’t find a way to capture it and tell the unique story of how the plant came to our individual countries.” In the short-term, the visual artists intend to cultivate their recently bought plot so that they can grow additional trees as a part of a bio diverse agro-forestry system. They believe that their company will continue to grow once they maintain the standard of producing high quality products with precision and accuracy. “With Tan Bun Skrati I bring unique experiences and stories about Surinamese cocoa to the people. As a visual artist you make your own material. Art to me is not an object, but it’s about encounters and transformation. With skrati there is an encounter to share so that more people can tell a new story about it and that is the joy in what we do.” With her entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and love for cacao, Ellen and Rutger are certain to continue to sow the seeds of success as their dream continue to flourish.

Contact: Ellen and Rutger Lem Ligteringen Managing Directors Tan Bun Skrati Leo Heinemannstraat 36, Paramaribo Noord, SURINAME

Web: www.tanbun.org Email: info@tanbun.org Tel: 597-458-706

Primed for Success / Vol. 3 / 2014-2015

www.carib-export.com

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