Young Entrepreneur Working to Put Trinidad & Tobago Products on the World Market 🇹🇹 Foodie Nation

Summary

Michael from Luan Perez discusses the company's mission to showcase local products from Trinidad and Tobago, such as pancake syrups, cocoa powder, and various other food items, on both local and international markets. Growing up in a family business, Michael transitioned into the food industry, building a distribution network for local producers. Through partnerships and innovative manufacturing, they offer natural, locally sourced products with a focus on exotic flavors. Michael encourages other entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams, providing a platform for local talents to expand globally, including markets like Canada and the US.

Takeaways

• 😀 Michael is from Luan Perez, a company specializing in marketing and distribution of local food products like pancake syrups, cocoa powder, and other items.
• 😀 Luan Perez works with local manufacturers to help them get their products onto international and local shelves, aiming to boost Trinidad and Tobago's presence globally.
• 😀 Michael's family has a strong background in business, including working as shopkeepers and owning small factories, which influenced his career in the food industry.
• 😀 Michael started his entrepreneurial journey with a restaurant called Gour Express, which experienced both success and challenges over the years.
• 😀 Michael partnered with his brother-in-law, Antonio Perez, to work with local rice farmers, getting their products onto supermarket shelves despite some setbacks.
• 😀 Luan Perez began working with various local producers, including chocolate makers and oil producers, to help distribute their products locally and internationally.
• 😀 In 2019, Luan Perez seized an opportunity to export local snacks and beverages to the Canadian market, which marked a significant step in their business growth.
• 😀 The company manufactures pancake syrups and Browning in their local production area, using natural ingredients like guava pulp, passion fruit, and brown sugar.
• 😀 Luan Perez prides itself on using only natural ingredients in their syrups, which include minimal components like brown cane sugar, fruit pulp, and citric acid.
• 😀 The company also produces Trinitario cocoa powder, a local product made from cocoa grown in Trinidad and Tobago, which they also pair with brown cane sugar for a powdered version.
• 😀 Luan Perez operates with a focus on supporting local farmers and providing local flavors to both the local and international markets, particularly Canada and the U.S.
• 😀 Michael encourages young entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago to pursue their ideas, emphasizing the importance of partnering with resourceful people and starting small, even with primitive operations.

Q & A

What types of products does Luan Perez manufacture?

Luan Perez manufactures pancake syrups, trinitario cocoa powder, and other local products, along with providing a platform for other manufacturers to distribute their products both locally and internationally.

What is the main goal of Luan Perez in terms of product distribution?

The main goal is to increase the presence of Trinidad and Tobago's products on international shelves, showcasing local talent and culture.

How did Michael's background in business influence his career?

Growing up in a family business environment, Michael learned the ins and outs of business operations early on, which led him to start his own restaurant and later expand into the food manufacturing and distribution business.

What challenges did Luan Perez face while working with local rice farmers?

The local rice farmers faced difficult times due to harsh weather conditions, which impacted their production. Despite this, Luan Perez gained valuable experience and insights into the challenges faced by local producers.

What is unique about Luan Perez's pancake syrup production process?

Luan Perez produces pancake syrups with natural ingredients, including brown cane sugar, fruit pulp (like guava or passion fruit), and citric acid. They avoid artificial coloring and instead use molasses in their browning process, keeping the syrup authentic.

What steps did Luan Perez take to create their own labeling machine?

Instead of buying an expensive labeling machine, Luan Perez decided to create their own by researching the process on YouTube and using available resources to build a functional, cost-effective machine.

How does Luan Perez ensure the quality and safety of their syrups?

Luan Perez bottles their syrups while they are still hot, sealing them to prevent any bacteria from contaminating the product. This method helps ensure the product remains safe and preserves its natural ingredients.

What kind of fruit does Luan Perez use in their syrup production?

Luan Perez sources exotic fruits like guava, passion fruit, and sour sop from local farmers in Trinidad and Tobago. They prioritize using seasonal and local produce in their products.

Why did Luan Perez start producing powdered brown cane sugar?

Luan Perez saw an opportunity to create powdered brown cane sugar after realizing that there were no locally available brown sugar powders in Trinidad and Tobago. Their product is unique because it retains the molasses content, unlike the white powdered sugar commonly available.

How does Luan Perez support other local entrepreneurs?

Luan Perez partners with local producers like Enrique, who creates products such as salted peanuts and peppered peanuts. They distribute these locally and also work on rebranding them for international markets, such as Canada.