A Salute to Woman

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | MARCH 24 - MAR CH 30, 2021 | www.jama ica-gleaner.com | I BY SOPHIA Findlay TORONTO: E LIZABETH AINSWORTH is de- lighted that her curry powder business has taken off, despite having launched the business during the pandemic this January. The 46-year-old Jamaica-born Brampton resident says her dream of entering the Canadian condiments market with Esmen’s Curry Powder did not falter, even in the face of an eco- nomic imbalance and uncertain profits. Her venture is a cottage industry that she says was born diectly from that upheaval which also worked to fan the embers of her long-standing desire to bring her family’s recipe to households worldwide. “Thanks to COVID-19, with me work- ing from home since March 2020, I decided to write down this business plan and execute it. We are already in a dozen stores and have replen- ished an outlet four times since,” says Ainsworth, who works in IT at Cap Gemini Consulting. It is a common theme. In fact, the lockdown has caused many individuals and organisations in various sectors to pivot, not only digitally, but in untapped areas of their businesses, in a bid to produce addi- tional streams of income or modifica- tion to strengthen financial outcomes. FAMILY-INSPIRED Still, this “tun yuh han’ mek fashion” energy is not new to Ainsworth. She re- calls her mother’s makeshift cardboard sign hanging in their yard in Portmore, St Catherine, Jamaica, in the 1980s, an- nouncing, ‘Curry for sale!’ It was a direct marketing strategy to entice community members to support the matriarch’s then-fledgling curry business for their day-to-day cooking needs . She says the popular mix was a big hit with neighbours who would pur- chase varied amounts on a shoestring budget for the next big session/dance- hall, wedding, birthday party, repast, or for just about any event - as curried goat meat is a popular entrée for most festive occasions. Ainsworth says her great-grand- mother came to Jamaica from India with the recipe - which her mother then cashed in on after being laid off from her job at a bra factory in SpanishTown. The backyard business would finan- cially support Ainsworth’s schooling at Naggo Head Primary, Excelsior High and EXED schools, before she emi- grated in 1994. “When I lived in London, England, even here in Canada, I would have to bring back curry powder for my friends after each visit to Jamaica. I would por- tion it out in sandwich bags for them,” she says. HIGHEST-QUALITY FLAVOUR In her new venture, she is in charge of quality control and oversees the operation at Palgrave Community kitchen, a commercial site operated by its church. “I go there on a Saturday and can do about 70lbs in one sitting. I do everything by myself, including the blending, mixing, packaging,and sealing.” Ainsworth says the family-inspired Esmen’s Curry Powder is a blend of turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds and black peppercorn, and is named after her mother. “Esmen’s Curry is blended in small proportions to ensure the highest quality in its flavour and to maintain the authentic and rich aroma in your curry dish,” the mother of two teen- agers, aged 17 and 14 years, tells The Weekly Gleaner . “For me, it’s the testimony I would get after the tasting (from customers),” she says. The savvy businesswoman has al- ready been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is ready to cross borders globally. Some of the outlets where Esmen’s Curry Powder may be purchased in Canada, mostly in Brampton, are Nicey’s Food, Danforth Food Market, ASA Meat & West Indian Grocery Inc, Lyn’s Linstead Market, Island Market, Charlie’sWest Indian Food Market and Better Bargain. For 75-year-old Mary Keeling- Bishop, a businesswoman, horticultur- ist, and an avid cook, Esmen’s Curry Powder did not escape her atten- tion when she sampled the product. First, it was the aroma she says that brought her back to Jamaica, having emigrated to Canada since 1965. “I only use Jamaican curry when I cook, whether by bringing it back with me after my many visits or my brother sending it here, and, after using Esmen’s Curry Powder, there was no doubt that the Jamaican authenticity that I know was captured in its impressive taste and the excellent aroma. Everything; the spices, flavour and aroma comes together with that curry,” Keeling-Bishop states. ‘Curry for sale!’ Woman launches business inspired by mom’s C’bean backyard shop “Thanks to COVID-19, with me working from home since March 2020, I decided to write down this business plan and execute it. We are already in a dozen stores and have replenished an outlet four times since,” 6 THE WEEKLY GL AN R | MARCH 24 - APRIL 24, 021 | www.jamaica-gleaner co | WOMEN’S MONTH FEATURE