We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Bernard recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kevin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The essence of success lies in the satisfaction derived from passionate endeavors. Observing customers revel in the flavors of our expertly crafted sauces, seasonings, and chutneys fills me with pride, knowing I’ve brought my great-grandparents’ vision to fruition. Before his passing, my great-grandfather imparted wisdom, saying, ‘Success is not solely reserved for the brilliant, but for those who endure.’ This phrase remains etched in my memory as a testament to the importance of resilience and loyalty to one’s heritage. His teachings continue to inspire me to infuse every product with love and dedication, and I’m confident he would be proud of the realization of his dream.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

After graduating from Fisk University, I transitioned into the corporate world, where I successfully led and developed various marketing campaigns. However, feeling underutilized and uninspired, I chose to leave and establish South of the Caribbean Islands Foods, a company that resonates with my personal vision. Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, our organization has become a leading provider of flavors to multiple food establishments and culinary organizations. Building on our family’s heritage of crafting exceptional sauces from organic ingredients, we offer an extensive portfolio of over 80 products. We take pride in handcrafting each batch with high-quality, fresh ingredients, free from additives and preservatives, to satisfy diverse culinary requirements.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

The establishment of South of the Caribbean Islands Foods was made possible by the financial support of friends and family who believed in my vision. My journey as an entrepreneur began when my best friend asked me to cater his wedding on short notice after the previous caterer cancelled. I swiftly assembled a team of family members, including cousins, aunts, and uncles, to prepare a range of authentic Caribbean dishes. The wedding guests were uniformly impressed by the culinary experience. Upon receiving double payment from my friend, I attempted to compensate my family members for their contributions, but they declined, urging me to invest in my business instead. Their encouragement aligned with my goal of introducing Memphis, Tennessee to diverse, exciting flavors, as the city’s residents often expressed fatigue with the same traditional options.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Utilizing word of mouth locally has proven effective, but social media has significantly expanded my global reach. I find engaging with current and potential customers on social media particularly valuable, as it enables me to directly address inquiries about our food products. Notably, I recall an instance where I interacted with a social media connection who had never experienced Caribbean cuisine, prompting me to send complimentary samples. Subsequently, she placed a substantial order for all our products and publicly endorsed their exceptional taste across her social media platforms. I recommend leveraging social media to offer product samples, fostering broader brand awareness. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Thomas Harvey, my sponsor, for developing a superior outdoor fryer suitable for festivals and cook-off competitions, which remarkably improves the flavor of chicken and fish. Interested parties can contact Mr. Harvey at 662-544-8634 or email him at [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.southcaribbeancuisine.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/southcaribbeancuisine
• Facebook: Facebook com/southcaribbeancuisine
• Youtube: YouTube com/southcaribbeancuisine