Deborah's Muse: Can you tell us your name?
Laura: Hello, I am Laura Amanda Batson. Let me first start by saying thank you for having me on your blog and allowing me to dive into more juicy details of my journey to success. This platform is an excellent initiative.
Deborah's Muse: How old are you?
Laura: I am 30 years old. I am the second of five children maternally, we are four sisters, and one brother the product of a twin and I'm the eldest sister of three.
Deborah's Muse: Where did you attend school?
Laura: My school life commenced at the nursery level. I attended the Vergenoegen Nursery School for two years and went on to a six-year stint at the Philadelphia Primary School. After completing the Common Entrance Examination. I concluded my primary years of education by continuing to secondary learning at Leonora Secondary School.
Deborah's Muse: What were you are of study?
Laura: Technical/Arts stream was my area of interest influenced by a mixture of studies in the science and the business subjects sparked much interest.
Deborah's Muse: What prompted you to get involved in the business arena?
Laura: As I mentioned earlier, I had an interest in both the sciences and business studies. I could say the better one won. However, that would not be true. I went on to tertiary level learning pursuing Nursing, applying the science I spoke of earlier. Although I was an A student, I felt unfulfilled. Upon experiencing these emotions, I quit nursing and migrated for a brief moment. I found employment in the area of child care. Shortly after, I returned home to Guyana less than a year later. I was then employed at a cafe' briefly and assumed a position at the Ministry of Home Affairs doing surveying and data entry. It was not quite luxurious and not fulfilling. All my search came to a screeching halt when I realized that the shoes I have been trying to fit were not tailor-made for me. Moreover, the early rising to get to the office at 8 a.m. It was extremely debilitating. THE WRONG PAIR OF WORKING SHOES🤣🤣🤣🤣is what caused me to get into business.
Deborah's Muse: How did you know business was your area of purpose?
Laura: I didn't! However, what I learned was that business was always a part of me. Moreover, my spiritual life was on a path to discovery as I sat in a series of teachings on credibility, accountability, and profitability. Also, realizing how to use my gifting and talents as tools; brought me into a place where I was no longer in doubt. Thus deciding to emerge on the business front, and it was where I am determined to stay for the rest of my life!
Deborah's Muse: How would you describe your start, and were you fearful?
Laura: I remembered starting my business broke. I received what I call a "blessing." I started with 5000 Guyana dollars. I invested that money with the mindset that it couldn't build my dream at the time. However, I believed it could set me on the path of building my brand. In 2013 I started my business. Moreover, through discipline and sacrifice, I decided to pursue and persevere in business, concentrating on the culinary arts. Was I fearful? Yes! Gripped by fear, I felt like it would choke the life out of me when it immerged from the depths of my stomach. I was afraid of not being received. I was scared of failing or not being good enough. I often asked myself if I was crazy and if I knew what I was doing?
Deborah's Muse: Did you count the cost?
Laura: Counting the cost? Hmmmmmm.
I had to be trained, mentored, coached, taught, comforted, bailed out, encouraged, and all of those came at and still comes with a price. However, the highest price I have had to pay in my business life was remaining and sustaining such in the face of being told I wasn't ready, I would fail, and I would become a statistic. Stripped of resources, homelessness, and I lived on the streets, and worst of all, I became bankrupt. The cost cannot ever be defined. However, if you are going to grow in the business arena, you must be determined to survive.
Deborah's Muse: Were you in a position to finance the start?
Laura: I have learned over the years that no one is ever ready for business. It is something that has to be within you. You evaluate the climate and grasp the opportunities it presents. There was a time when I had the money but didn't have the idea. Vice Versa. Then, I realized the I had them both but didn't have the willpower. As I mentioned, I was flat broke and determined that I can use what I have to grow something tangible, and that is what I did!
Deborah's Muse: What is the name of your business?
Laura: My business name is TUS' FOOD fish and chip manufacturing catering and pastry plaza (M.M.W.D).
Deborah's Muse: How did you coin the name for your business?
Laura: I prayed about every aspect of my business, and when it evolved, I decided that it would not just be business in the traditional sense. I asked God to give me a name that speaks volumes in capturing the essence of my business and making a bold statement. Thus, I arrived at a name the will be long-lived. The name would be a name that crossed language, cultural and societal barriers. Therefore, Tus'( pronounced "toooose") is a Spanish word translated to mean "YOUR" in English and speaks of ownership. Everything I create in my art belongs to you, the people, the clients, the customers, the consumers. The name I gave business, I have never had to question whether the company was titled correctly. It goes on to show the deeper prospects of the meaning of the name.
Deborah's Muse: At what point in endeavoring in your purpose did you start feeling accomplished?
Laure: In 2014, I did a sample distribution and awaited feedback from the markets where I sought patronage. The products were well received. I have never stopped distributing since, and my first client paved the way for all the others. My clientele has grown to date, and I still service my first market even today.
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