Virgin Islander Rennisha R. Rodgers is a bit of an ice cream connoisseur. At just 15-years-old, she manufactures and packages her own line of ice-cream products called 'Kulture Infusionz'. Photo: Provided

Fresh homemade ice cream is a product with no fake ingredients nor preservatives, resulting in a treat that is rich in flavour with luxurious textures. Photo: Provided

'I am a student at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) but I am the founder & owner of Kulture Infusionz,' Ms Rodgers of Great Mountain, Tortola in the Virgin Islands (VI) proudly told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). Photo: Provided

Our Young Professional says she plans to expand her business with local supplier to test the market in addition to pursuing brand development avenues such as commissioning better product photos for marketing purposes. Photo: Provided

Outside of school and business, our Young Professional still finds time for hubbies, 'I am a dancer at the BVI dance school, a Lady Ram Cheerleader, I love to learn and practice cooking, practice gymnastics and teach,' she said noting that she is one of three members in the 2019 All-American Cheer Team to represent the Caribbean. Photo: Provided

Churning Profits  

Our Young Professional said creating and making treats that incorporate the flavours of the Virgin Islands (VI) remain her biggest goals; however, gauging consumer reaction and convincing them to try the products for the first time remain both enjoyable and challenging. 

When asked about how she got the idea for the business, Rennisha revealed, "the idea actually came from a school tourism project," however owing to great prospects as a viable business venture she said, "I decided this is my shot, so I turned it into a real business."

In terms of the ice-cream production time, Rennisha said the products take a maximum of 2 days to be made and uses fresh ingredients sourced from RiteWay Food Markets.

The young entrepreneur said "the production of the first-ever set of products made in the business," were mountains she had to climb to get things going.

Now that things are a little bit more established in the local community, Rennisha has plans to expand with another local ingredients supplier to test the market, in addition to pursuing brand development avenues such as commissioning better product photos.

Education

A former 'Strider', who graduated from Althea Scatliffe Primary School in 2015, Rennisha is an 11th Grade student of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) and founder and owner of Kulture Infusionz.

Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, Rennisha attended the Thomas Saunders Secondary School in StVincent and the Grenadines for one year.

Following ESHS, Rennisha has all intentions of attending H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). 

With her eyes set in entrepreneurship, Ms Rodgers noted, "I haven’t reached so far in my education yet, but I do wish to continue my science studies at UWI in Barbados or if I do change my mind, a school in America."

Embrace differences

"The passion of entrepreneurship and making a difference and to see my product in the supermarkets," she said keeps her focused. 

"Being different is okay. Being different is what got me into creating Kulture Infusionz," she told VINO were some inspirations in starting the business.

Outside of school and business, our young professional still finds time for hobbies, "I am a dancer at the BVI Dance School, a Lady Ram Cheerleader, I love to learn and practice cooking, practice gymnastics and teach."

Rennisha also revealed she is one of three members in the 2019 All-American Cheer Team to represent the Caribbean.

When questioned about some of the people who inspired her and why, she said American Gymnast, Gabby C. V. Douglas, "She came from a broken home and a difficult childhood but her burning passion for gymnastics made her become a beloved household name."

Rennisha continued, "Even though she received numerous hate, she still continued to represent and show them how fierce an African American gymnast can be."

Growing from Irma

Two years later, reflecting on the devastations of Hurricane Irma in 2017, our Young Professional said that in a positive way, she was grateful that the hurricane passed and the territory is rebuilding from those dark days.

"Yes, things have changed and I do miss the way how things use to be, but it changed me for the better," she said. 

According to Rennisha, moving away from her home really opened up her eyes to different cultures, which further allowed for the creation of new bonds.

"Hurricane Irma made me appreciate what I have more and made a part of me prouder to be from the Virgin Islands."

Parting Advice 

As part of encouraging youths to zero in on dreams and goals on their bucket list of pursuits, she said, "Go for it! No matter how low the support is, you just go for it!" 

Rennisha also indicated that she wants to see people in the Virgin Islands take more pride in the VI culture

"If people find you crazy, well you be the crazy person. Don’t let anyone stop you from satisfying your wants and fulfilling your dreams. Don’t reach for the stars, reach for the beyond," she said as her final parting advice for those looking to pursue a passion.