By: Jhanae Winter 

To date, Bernique Pople, owner of Taste Da Flava, is the youngest Bahamian ice cream maker who focuses on original and authentic flavors. Mixing things up, Taste Da Flavor not only offers traditional flavors such as vanilla and chocolate but also Soursop and Guinness.

This brand of ice cream is like no other, using unique family recipes, Taste Da Flava is able to tantalize taste buds through delicious homemade ice cream and create memorable customer service experiences.

“I started the business because of my furloughed employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to create a family tradition into a livelihood while ensuring that my grandmother’s legacy lives on,” Bernique said. 

From her grandmother’s family dessert to a profitable business, Bernique is on a mission to make this local authentic Bahamian homemade ice cream business an elitist brand.

Besides being a business owner, Bernique is a full time employee and student and had to work on finding a balance between all three. 

“One of my greatest challenges with being an entrepreneur was creating a balance as as well as keeping myself motivated on days when I felt overwhelmed. However, I had to remind myself daily to stay positive and keep God first and keep a relationship with him, for without him, I wouldn't have made it thus far,” she said. 

The ability to establish a new business during a pandemic is not an easy task. But being motivated Bernique was able to use her intellect and creativity and turn, not lemons, but ‘sours’ into soursop ice cream. 

Becoming an entrepreneur is what she called a “rewarding experience”, learning many things about herself on this journey and connecting with new people to expand her brand.

“I am able to bring out my greatest potential. The experience has also made me more financially wise and business savvy. I was also able to build relationships with other small business owners and customers who motivated me to expand my business the best way possible and introduce me to networking and growth opportunities,” she said.

Through networking and business relationships, Taste Da Flava hit a major milestone while only six months old. 

The business obtained two store features and Bernique was given a celebrity chef feature, she told Bahamaslocal.com. 

“Some of my career highlights would be the collaboration with Celebrity Chef Maurice as well as my experience with working along with small convenience stores to sell my products. Also, the ZNS news feature was an ‘oh wow this really happening’ experience, especially the feedback from the public,” she said.

In such a short time Bernique was able to meet such goals she made for her business. 

But there is still more to come from the young business owner. By 2023, she intends to expand her flavors and open a mobile ice cream store and her first store-front. 

Bernique quotes her own words as a form of motivation in all areas of her life, “Do what you can, while you can in this world with love, grace and passion”.

This has also helped her overcome negativity, and concerns about competition in her field. 

“Dealing with competition and negativity was challenging at first especially when I still was in the learning process of how people, customers and competitors, can impact a business. However, knowing and understanding my product value and what Taste Da Flava has to offer made me realize that once you stick to your goals and improve daily on the craft, exposure and growth will always come,” she said. 

Business is going “great” for Taste Da Flava’s owner. Although she is the youngest ice cream business owner, her age has not been scrutinized, she said or used against her as a tactic to question her business abilities. 

Bernique believes all millennials should have their own business as a form of extra income to afford living and for youth development. However, it comes with great responsibility, discipline and decision making which she said “can be difficult depending on the situation”.

To all Bahamian millennials seeking to start their own business, Bernique’s advice is “just go for it, start small and grow in phases and also be patient with yourself. YOU CAN DO IT, SEE YOU AT THE TOP”, she exclaimed. 

 

Connect with Bernique on Facebook at Taste Da Flava and on Instagram @tastedaflavbah

Taste Da Flava, where flavor meets expectations and storytelling reignites memories.