In the heart of Trinidad and Tobago, a quietly revolutionary business has been taking root, one that’s as much about vision and perseverance as it is about agriculture and manufacturing. iSland Cuts Agro Processing, a micro-enterprise founded in 2019, has quickly become a beacon of innovation and hope for the Caribbean’s food security landscape. Its mission is ambitious but deeply rooted in purpose: Developing Caribbean Food Security Through Traditional, Innovative and Technological Methods. While the brand may still be in its early stages, its story is already an inspiring testament to resilience, passion and belief in something greater than oneself.
The seed for iSland Cuts was planted not in a boardroom or lab but in the mind of a man navigating crisis. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, he returned to Trinidad and Tobago from a work trip that included a stay in the UK. It was there in London that he was first exposed to advanced agro-processing techniques, how food, vegetables and produce were being packaged and delivered in a modern, efficient and customer-friendly way. It was eye-opening. But back home, his life was rooted in the entertainment world. He had invested heavily in music production, artist management and had even opened a restaurant and bar. Those ventures were beginning to bear fruit when the global lockdowns arrived, abruptly silencing the industry he was building in.
As he, like many others, faced the brutal reality of what was deemed essential versus non-essential during the pandemic, he turned inward and upward. In the midst of uncertainty, he turned to old texts and timeless wisdom. One quote in particular changed everything: “In every crisis there is opportunity.” It was a phrase he came across in an ancient Chinese text on war and strategy. That line echoed loudly during a press conference where then Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and other Caribbean leaders called for greater regional self-sufficiency, especially in the realm of food production. In that moment, the concept for iSland Cuts Agro Processing was born, first in thought then in purpose. Everything that followed, he calls “divine architecture.”
Supported by a longtime family friend and mentor, an engineer with business ties in China, the vision began to materialize. They explored possibilities, engaged in endless discussions and endured a few stumbles along the way but the fire never went out. What started as an idea forged in adversity began to take shape as a purpose-driven business committed to offering the Caribbean an alternative to imported frozen foods. iSland Cuts now grows, processes and manufactures two main products: its beloved sweet potato chips and a line of pre-packaged root crops sliced, diced or cubed, catering primarily to restaurants and food outlets. With sweet potatoes and cassava as their core crops, these products are proudly grown and packaged in Trinidad and Tobago.
What makes this story even more compelling is that the company is run on a part-time basis. Both husband and wife are tertiary-level students with demanding full-time jobs yet every spare moment is poured into nurturing iSland Cuts. For them, this isn’t just a side hustle, it’s a mission. “We don’t see iSland Cuts as just a business but rather as something of great purpose,” he explains. And that sense of purpose is palpable. From their early days frying chips over a Chinese wok and ring stove to acquiring commercial-grade equipment and seeing their products gain traction in stores, every step has been a victory.
But the journey hasn’t been easy. The emotional toll, the sacrifices, the countless nights working late into the evening after long shifts, these are the hidden chapters in their entrepreneurial story. And yet, what emerges is a blueprint for building something not just functional but meaningful. “It takes time to build something strong,” he says. “This is just the foundation, the structure is no way close to completion yet. So our aim is to keep developing, keep learning, keep building block by block, pack by pack.”
His personal philosophy intertwines entrepreneurship with values, self-belief, teamwork, faith and service. To him, business is not just profit and loss. It’s character. “A good businessman has to be a good husband, a good father, a good brother, a good citizen, a good person,” he shares with quiet confidence. And while some may view his continued risks, despite already having a secure job, a home and stability, as unnecessary, he sees it differently. “I am my father’s last child of seven,” he says with a smile, “so just like him, I’ll keep going till I can’t go anymore.”
Guided by his motto, “Service to God and Service to Country,” he envisions iSland Cuts as a brand that transcends business. It is a symbol of Caribbean strength, unity and self-reliance. In his eyes, the region is the Creator’s paradise, blessed with fertile soil, vibrant culture and untapped potential. “There’s nothing that can’t be grown in the Caribbean,” he says, drawing parallels to the biblical Garden of Eden. He believes that when people see or hear “iSland Cuts,” they should immediately think of the beauty, strength and persistence of every island in the Caribbean chain.
His candid acknowledgment of the systemic challenges local businesses face in Trinidad and Tobago adds another layer of realism. “We’re behind in development compared to other regions and I place that squarely on those in positions of authority,” he notes. But he’s not one to dwell on what’s wrong. Instead, he channels that energy into proving what’s possible.
Legacy is the driving force. This is about more than profit margins or market share, it’s about impact that endures beyond a single lifetime. The late nights, the learning curves, the faith it takes to keep going, it’s all in memory of something greater. His sister, his advisor and second mother, was a constant source of strength during the brand’s early days. She once told him, “This is it, this is going to be that business that makes you successful.” She passed away not long after, following a battle with cancer. But her words remain etched in his heart. “Whenever I feel like dumping all our sweet potatoes or I’m too tired to turn on our machines, I remember her voice telling me, ‘This is it.’ And like alchemy, my adversity becomes motivation.”
That is the essence of iSland Cuts. A brand born out of crisis, forged in faith and fuelled by a vision of Caribbean self-sufficiency and pride. It’s not just about chips or cassava, it’s about building something that lasts. Something that feeds not just the body but the soul of a region ready to rise.
