Chat with Marcella Bristol Andre, a small business entrepreneur |14 June 2021
Marcella in her shop
‘I believe putting a little profit margin is better to encourage sales until the situation gets back to normal’
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to many small businesses. Closures and bankruptcies have increased but in Seychelles the government and the banks tried to provide solutions to the small and medium businesses to keep them afloat. Today we meet one small entrepreneur who did not give up even when there were no sales to sustain her business. Instead she started to provide other catering services to keep her business afloat. Let us meet Marcella Bristol Andre, an entrepreneur from Praslin.
Seychelles NATION: Who is Marcella Bristol Andre?
Marcella Bristol: I was born at Anse Royale and as a child I was always active but well behaved. As a child I loved to do people’s hair and makeup and I wanted to become a hairdresser. I currently live on Praslin and I did my primary education on Mahé at Belonie and Plaisance schools. In 1985/86, I spent two years at the National Youth Service (NYS). It was then that I decided to change my career path and proceeded to the Seychelles Tourism Academy which was then located at Bel Ombre. In 1987 I started my training in restauration and I completed my certification with a merit grade. I still remember it was a Friday. Even at school, I was doing some part-time jobs.
Seychelles NATION: Tell us about your professional journey
Marcella Bristol: After receiving my certificate, I immediately started work on Monday at Mason's Travel. I later on went to Air Seychelles as a ground staff then took some time off before joining Casino Des Iles. I was the restaurant manager at the famous ‘Tante Mimi Restaurant’ which was the only silver service at that time located at Côte d'Or, Praslin.
Seychelles NATION: What are you doing now?
Marcella Bristol: I opened my own shop under the name Makazzain July 2013. It specialises in house decorations. My service also includes supply of curtains, cushions, furniture made from local timbre, bed sheets, pillows, towels, beach umbrellas, etc... I also sell a range of green cleaning products, under the label of Green Worx which is environmentally friendly, harmless to human and animals and clean better than conventional chemicals.
Seychelles NATION:What inspired you and how are you faring?
Marcella Bristol: I have always been an independent woman and travel a lot to different countries. I got involved in decorating and organising for different major events during my time working at Tante Mimi, e.g wine and cheese, Christmas parties, wedding, birthdays, conferences etc... So for me decorating and organising events has become part of my life and is in my system. During the Covid-19 pandemic I worked on orders from clients.
Seychelles NATION: How did the pandemic affect you?
Marcella Bristol: Before the re-opening of the country earlier this year, sales had gone down to zero but then as the country started getting back on its feet and the economy gradually picked up in the new normal, clients started contacting me for special orders as I deal with a lot of small establishments.
Seychelles NATION: What are you producing now?
Marcella Bristol: During this pandemic I am excited to get customers to learn more about Green Worx products which is made especially with selected bacteria and natural enzymes to break down dirt and grease into organic nutrients which are then released safely back into the environment. The key benefits are that harmful chemical compounds are not released into the atmosphere or into our water systems and also that your workers are not exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals.
I believe, I can help household achieve a certain level of savings if they buy green cleaning products. We propose a basket that is required to clean a whole house comprising kitchen, toilet, all-purpose cleaners, dish washing liquid and laundry washing powder. As for commercial buildings, we offer scented bio cubes for male and female toilets, that refreshes the closed areas as water is flushed onto it.
Seychelles NATION: I have noticed you offer very competitive prices, are you able to sustain your business?
Marcella Bristol: Yes my prices are competitive enough to survive in this difficult time. I believe putting a little profit margin is better to encourage my sales until the situation gets back to normal and my clients are happy.
