While spending some time in Police lockup, Aamir told KareemsQuest.com that he had to make some drastic changes in his life. “After I was charged and I was sitting in the holding area, I got to see a different perspective of life and I didn’t want to be on the wrong side of the law.”
So he decided to follow in his mother’s footsteps and entered the fruit vending business. He immediately started to build a strong customer base, as persons gravitated to his reliable service. However, he had one major caveat, “I was selling my produce in a neighborhood and one of the residents didn’t like it so she called the municipal authorities on me,” he told kareemsquest.com.
This led to the state authorities tearing down his stall, nonetheless the drastic action did not discourage him. “I jokingly said to one of the guys, ‘I must be a really important person for you to come here for just me’.”
His reaction proved to be a lesson learned from past mistakes as he shared with kareemsquest.com, “I was really upset at first, however the jail situation taught me to be level-headed in my response to things.”
His next step would prove most challenging, because finding a good location is just as important as having good produce. “This was the part that really stressed me out because I couldn’t find a place to sell and some of my customers were calling me asking, where I am.”
Fortunately he found a spot on Red Hills road, next to KFC, where he sells a wide range of fruits.
Early in the morning he can be seen furnishing his stall, first with trays of eggs, then colourful fruits like papaya and melon. KareemsQuest.com also noticed that he places his goods under a tent, to ensure that both his stocks and customers are protected from the sun. “I am happy that I treated my customers well, because most of them found me back.”
Now Aamir has expanded his items to include fruits such as watermelon and grape. “Customers kept asking about other fruits, so I had to figure out a way to get it to them.” This initiative did come with its challenges, as he confessed, “sometimes it’s not easy for me to source good fruits. I remember buying a hundred Pineapples from this guy and they were all rotten on the inside. The sad thing is, he knew he was selling me bad fruits.”
Aamir used this as a lesson and decided to do a more thorough background research to find the best fruits for his customers. “If I have to drive to someone’s farm, I’m doing it, because at the end of the day, I want my customers to be satisfied.”
He emphasised this point based on what he experienced in the past. “When I had to relocate the first time, my customers found me back and it was based on good customer service and the quality products they received.”
His stall has not stopped improving, as he always finds something to improve. Aamir says he wants to reach the point where he can have his own store one day.
His redemptive story reminds us of Glen, the breadfruit vendor in Norwich Portland (click link to read).
Quick Facts
Location: Red Hills, in the vicinity of St. Richards Primary and KFC.
Contact: 876-316-2073
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