From a nomadic childhood to entrepreneurial success – Stephon Gabriel shares his story

January 28, 2024

Stephon Gabriel, at the age of 25, is not only a youth leader but also the founder of Reminiscent Events & Consultancy Services – an innovative business that has left an indelible mark on the cologne industry in Guyana.

Stephon Gabriel, the founder of Reminiscent Events & Consultancy Services

“GROWING UP WASN’T A WALK IN THE PARK”

His formative years were marked by a series of relocations from Kwakwani Park in Berbice River to Georgetown, Stewartville, Antigua, and back to Georgetown and Linden.

While his childhood was not a smooth ride, he confessed that it laid the foundation for the tenacity and drive he exhibits today.

As a child, I’ve so many stories that I remember to this day, but in a sense, it was not perfect, but I was given every opportunity to shine and grow. Growing up wasn’t a walk in the park, and some may think that I am privileged or grew up that way, but I can say that with the dedication of my grandmother and parents, I made it today.

Stephon’s academic journey took him through various schools. Some of these schools include Kwakwani Park Nursery, Stewartville Primary, Better Chance Primary, and The Bishops’ High School.

He boasts certificates in Business Studies, a Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Diploma, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. He is currently pursuing studies in IR and Diplomacy.

THE BIRTH OF REMINISCENT

In March 2021, this youth leader launched his business, ReminiScent Guyana, which has evolved into ReminiScent Events & Consultancy Services.

What started as a desire to diversify income and make a positive impact on the market blossomed into a business that blends fragrance and memories.

A little, Stephon.

I was always thinking about what I could invest in and still get good returns. But with travelling, I came across so many scents that were reasonably priced, and I’ve always known the impact of these scents on our memories, and those memories sometimes are linked to my childhood, which has played a key role today for me. And one thing too is that I love good scents that allow me to feel great and others too.

The name “ReminiScent” itself is a fusion of ‘reminisce’ and ‘scent,’ encapsulating the business’s purpose – to allow people to relive precious memories and create new ones through the power of fragrance.

Now, having successfully tackled the cologne space, we’ve expanded with six support staff to handle events and consultations for projects, reports, assessments, etc., given my background in community development, IR, governance, and youth work.

UNIQUE BUSINESS PROPOSITION

According to this 25-year-old businessman, ReminiScent stands out in its niche. He added while there are others in the market, he doesn’t view them as competitors.

He believes in healthy competition and collaboration, often recommending customers to fellow businesses.

I see new people pop up every other day selling colognes, but what I can say is that we have good prices, personalised assistance, and offer a really good thing here. We even send people and valued customers over to those same colleagues in business. That’s how we should be; there are so many people in Guyana, and I don’t mind if every business thrives, even if we provide the same physical items but different quality of service.

SOCIAL IMPACT AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

This University of Guyana alumni shared that he and his team have been actively involved in charity events. These proceeds are directed to support various causes in Guyana.

He also stated that his business has been receiving positive responses from the community, showcasing the impact a company can have beyond its core offerings.

We host a charity event in the form of a BBQ and lime where the majority of our proceeds go to charity. It goes to the less fortunate and goes towards helping with school tuition for those who can’t afford it, the elderly, etc. In the space of 2+ years, we’ve assisted hundreds of Guyanese. And this is what’s most important. We can only help as much as we are supported. So, there is always a continued call for support, and there’s always me and my team trying our best to ensure we get sales and further support for our events. Major thanks to my friends and staff and also to one business, Sterling Products LTD, who has always offered their support to the cause.

A GRATEFUL ENTREPRENEUR’S MESSAGE

To this end, Stephon has expressed his gratitude to the Guyanese community for their unwavering support. With plans for a website and continued commitment to customer satisfaction, ReminiScent is poised for growth.

I’ve received local and international support and have prospects for investment. We are going to tailor our work better to cater to all. We will soon move forward with a website l and much more and will ensure we can take orders and ensure you’re all happy. In the end, I want to let you all remember our tagline ‘Choose Unforgettable, Choose ReminiScent;’ when you do, you won’t regret it!

Contact information for Reminiscent Events & Consultancy Services

Article Categories:
Business · Inspiration · People

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