By Michel Outridge

Copyright guyanachronicle

Mother–Son duo building a future through fish product service

WHAT began 13 years ago as a means of survival for a single mother has today grown into a thriving small enterprise serving households, professionals, and local businesses.

Natasha Chatterpaul, 43, and her son Vickram, have transformed hardship into opportunity by establishing a roadside fish stall at Mon Repos, where they sell, prepare, and supply fresh fish to a growing customer base.

The venture, known as N and V Fishing, operates under the motto “Eat healthy, live healthy”, offering a wide variety of fresh fish from Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A New Beginning Born from Adversity

Mrs Chatterpaul’s journey into entrepreneurship was not one of choice but necessity. Thirteen years ago, she separated from an abusive marriage with two young children to care for. At just nine years old, Vickram stood resolutely by his mother’s side, accompanying her to the Meadow Bank Wharf in the pre-dawn hours to purchase fish for resale.

“Even though he was so small, that didn’t define him,” Mrs Chatterpaul recalled with pride. “He stood up with me, embraced our venture to earn, and today, our success is because of his dedication.”

Though the challenges were immense — long hours, financial strain, and Vickram’s early departure from school to assist — together they persisted, turning a small stall at Meadow Bank into the foundation for their current success.

From Wharf to Roadside: Meeting Growing Demand

For more than a decade, the Meadow Bank Wharf served as the foundation of their trade. However, as demand for value-added services such as filleting, cleaning, and packaging fish increased, challenges began to emerge. To better serve their customers and position themselves for growth, Natasha and Vickram relocated their operations to Mon Repos, just north of the Public Road before the bridge.

The move not only helped them avoid conflicts but also created opportunities to expand their business, meet the rising demand for prepared products, and explore new market prospects.

At Mon Repos, the duo has expanded their services — offering cleaning and preparation of fish at no extra cost, catering to bulk orders, and even supplying local bars with fish for their cutters. They also operate a small setup for air-drying salted fish and ensure environmental responsibility by providing fish waste to local farmers for use as animal feed.

The location has become especially attractive to busy professionals and families seeking convenience without compromising on freshness.

Commitment to Quality and Food Safety

Despite operating from a temporary roadside location, Natasha and Vickram take pride in maintaining high standards of food safety and quality.

“We are aware of the importance of giving our customers the best quality fish, and we ensure we select the best,” Mrs Chatterpaul explained. “We have a fridge and lots of ice to ensure that the fish is not exposed to excess heat. We believe if we give the best service and quality products, our customers will come again.”

This commitment has earned them a loyal customer base.

“As a result of our dedication to quality service, we are thankful for the support we have,” she added. “We have gained the confidence of even persons who want to share our fish with relatives abroad. We wrap appropriately as per the customer’s guidelines once they provide the packaging materials of choice.”

Plans for Growth in a Changing Economy

Though the roadside stall is temporary, Mrs Chatterpaul revealed that plans are underway to establish a more formalised business. This aspiration aligns with national efforts under the Dr Irfaan Ali–led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which has prioritised creating an enabling environment for small businesses.

Policies that support women in difficult circumstances, empower young people, and encourage entrepreneurship have opened new avenues for individuals like the Chatterpauls to transform informal livelihoods into structured enterprises.

Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas industry has generated further opportunities for small businesses to tap into a growing consumer market with higher expectations for quality and service.

A Testament to Resilience

Reflecting on her journey, Mrs Chatterpaul acknowledges both the hardships and the progress made. She credits her family’s background in fishing, her son’s unwavering support, and her own determination for keeping the business afloat through difficult years.

Today, their stall at Mon Repos is not only a source of income but also a symbol of resilience and empowerment. It demonstrates how, with persistence and the right support, women and young people can seize opportunities in Guyana’s evolving economy.

“Everything we have built came from sacrifice,” Mrs Chatterpaul said. “But I believe this is just the beginning. With God’s grace and my son’s dedication, our best days are still ahead.”