When she lost her mother, her biggest inspiration and supporter, a little over a month ago, Natalia Robinson drained most of her savings for the funeral expenses. Nevertheless, using the last of her resources – her savings had been meant for her business – and mustering her faith and persistence, she opened Churros by Mama on April 26.
Robinson confided to Stabroek Weekend that on the Monday morning when she opened she had only $200 and was looking at rent for the Third Street, Alberttown business due the following Monday. Fortunately, the churros went fast and she was able to meet her obligations.
Churros, native to the Spanish and Portuguese cuisines, are piped pieces of fried dough, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate, dulce de leche or other sweet sauces. The majority of her customers are from the Latin American community in Guyana, but there are Guyanese among them as well.
Robinson herself was born in Lethem but spent a large part of her childhood in Bonfim, Brazil. Two years ago she and her husband separated, leaving her with the responsibility of raising their three children. She was raised in a single-parent home also and her mother worked as a domestic servant to provide for her and her three siblings. On weekends, her mother baked
cakes on order as another means of income. Following her own separation, Robinson started to take small orders for cakes. She then moved with her children to Lethem, where she stayed with a sister and her family. She took a job in the town for six months. During the move, she had put the business on hold but restarted it once she settled in. The cake business thrived in Lethem and at one point, Robinson was supplying supermarkets with orders. Within the first month, she baked and sold more than 200 cakes.
However, she wanted more for herself and children so in September last year, they moved to live in Georgetown. Once in the city, she realised that the competition was too stiff as other bakers were more advanced and it would take a while before she could reach their level and she went back to the drawing board and decided on a churros business.
Robinson first began making churros four years ago and at one point sold them from a cart outside of a gas station in Lethem. Initially, Robinson had thought of setting up a cart at one of the malls, but the rent was too high, although based on the success she has had so far she may still open mall outlets as well as outlets at the Stabroek Market and along the East Coast Demerara.
While she was due to open last month, Robinson’s mother died suddenly after becoming infected with COVID-19.
“My mother was not sick for long,” she related. “She went to the hospital on Friday and on the Sunday after, she passed away. My mother was my biggest supporter. Every cake I made, I used to send her a picture. Not having her here at this moment is very hard for me. It is my mother who taught me catering; she taught me everything. I told myself, I have to make it; I can’t give up.”
Following her mother’s death, she obtained permission to travel to Brazil for her funeral. Prior to returning, she was required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests, which she complied with.
With a heavy heart, she then set out to do what her mother was known for, which is never giving up. Robinson recalled that on Sunday, April 25, the day before she opened the business, she used the last of her finances to purchase the necessary ingredients for the amount of churros she wanted to make. She was left with $3,000 which was used up in taxi fare as she is still new to the city and does not know her way around. By the next day all she had was the $200.
She credits the initial success she has received to advertising via social media as well as having previously done a lot of research on the best location to set up shop, which is situated at 39 Third Street, Alberttown.
“I know there was no other way of getting what I wanted than working really hard and I had my mom as my example,” Robinson said.
Churros by Mama is open from 11 am to 6 pm and at the time she spoke with this publication, Robinson was looking to employ a second kitchen assistant.
She pointed out that the cost of living in Georgetown was higher than in Brazil or Lethem and running the business leaves little time to spend with her children. However, she believes it is the best thing for her children. It is challenging being a mother and an entrepreneur, but she has the help of her mother-in-law, who is the children’s guardian when she is not around. “I’m doing this for them. I’m trying to provide that security for them. I’m trying to provide a comfortable life for them,” she said. “I want people looking to get into business to know that once you are passionate about what you want and work hard for it, it is possible; I am living proof,” Robinson added said.
Churros by Mama can be contacted at 691-6216.
