How do you change careers
I
in the middle of a pandemic?
t has been a dream for the Michael family to be a part of the Caribbean food culture, importing authentic food and drink from the Caribbean particularly Jamaica. As the global pandemic took hold they decided to turn the 10 years dream into reality so they went for it. Michael Caribbean Imports officially started in October 2020 and imports food and drink from the Caribbean for wholesale distribution in the UK. Under the leadership of Nicole Bowen, she is helping the company to make their mark in a business dominated by large multi-national companies. The family members both in Jamaica and the UK work together to drive the business forward; with the family in Jamaica playing an integral role for the success of the business to date. The family run factory in Jamaica processes cassava to make bammies which are shipped to the UK. To date this is the only Jamaican bammy approved (carrying the vegan mark) by the Vegan Society. In addition to bammy, Michael Caribbean Imports also have their own line of products in ackee, Mango Jerk Sauce and callaloo under the brand MICKLE’S; unlike many other brands this callaloo has no sticks hence it has been a big hit on the
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market, especially with the restaurant trade. Additional products will be added to the existing line: Fruit Punch, Hot and Spicy Jerk Seasoning, Spicy Pimento Sauce, Spicy Crushed Pepper Sauce, Hot Pepper Sauce, Spiced Vanilla combined with cinnamon and Carrot Juice. Their intention is to continue extending the product line to ensure great variety. From their base in South East London they distribute all over London with sights set on the Midlands and Manchester. Nicole recommends that we need to hold on to our dreams and bring them to fruition. During a holiday visit from one of the Michael sisters to the UK in 2011, the discussion was held and it was quickly discovered that members of the family shared the same dream of wanting to change their careers to feeding the nation. It was 8 years later when Nicole decided it was time to put an end to her long standing career in education to lead her family on this exciting and challenging journey; she was pushed to do this, Nicole explained. When she was told in a dream ‘you were born to do it’, she told her sister who advised that it was time to make the long awaited family desire a reality. The sister simply said ‘follow your dream so that we can live our dreams’. n
